Text messages can contain important information like addresses, phone numbers, pictures, and conversations that you don’t want to lose. However, it’s easy to accidentally delete text messages on your iPhone. Thankfully, there are ways to recover recently deleted text messages on your iPhone even without a computer or backup.
In this guide, we will cover several methods to recover deleted text messages on your iPhone without the need for a computer or backup.
Why are deleted text messages recoverable?
When you delete a text message on your iPhone, it isn’t erased immediately. Instead, the space it was taking up is marked as available and new data can overwrite it. However, until this overwriting happens, the deleted data is still recoverable.
This is why you have a window of opportunity to use specialized software to scan your iPhone and recover deleted text messages before they are permanently overwritten. The sooner you act, the more likely the recovery process will be successful.
Requirements for recovering deleted iPhone text messages
To recover deleted text messages from your iPhone without backups, you need:
- The iPhone device from which messages were deleted
- Internet connection on the iPhone
- Sufficient battery charge on the iPhone
- Third-party software installed on the iPhone to scan and recover deleted data
You do NOT need:
- A computer
- An iTunes or iCloud backup
- Apple ID account details
As long as you meet the requirements above, you can recover recently deleted text messages on your iPhone without any backups.
Method 1: Use data recovery software
The most effective way to recover deleted text messages from iPhone without backup is by using third-party iOS data recovery software. These powerful utilities are designed specifically for retrieving deleted data from iOS devices.
Here are some recommended data recovery apps for iPhone:
1. iMyFone D-Back
iMyFone D-Back is one of the most popular data recovery solutions for iOS devices. It can recover over 20 types of lost data from iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, including text messages, WhatsApp messages, photos, contacts, notes, etc.
Key features:
- Recovers deleted and lost text messages and attachments
- Allows previewing recoverable data before recovery
- Retrieval from iOS devices directly, no backup needed
- 100% safe read-only recovery
2. Tenorshare UltData
Tenorshare UltData iPhone data recovery is known for its deep scanning and high recovery rate. It supports the latest iPhone models and iOS versions.
Key features:
- Recovers lost and deleted text messages, iMessages, attachments
- Extracts WeChat, WhatsApp, Kik, Facebook messages
- Preview function to selectively recover needed data
- Available for both Windows and Mac computers
3. EaseUS MobiSaver
EaseUS MobiSaver is another reliable iOS data recovery software with full compatibility. It recovers 20+ data types for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Key features:
- Recovers lost and deleted messages, contacts, notes, etc.
- Extracts third-party app messages like WhatsApp, WeChat, Kik
- Recovers data directly from iOS devices
- Allows preview before recovery
Detailed steps to recover deleted text messages with iMyFone D-Back
Here is a step-by-step guide to recover deleted text messages on iPhone using iMyFone D-Back as an example:
Step 1 – Download and install iMyFone D-Back on your iPhone
Go to the official website and download the installation package directly on your iPhone. Follow the setup prompts to install iMyFone D-Back on your device.
Step 2 – Grant access permissions to iMyFone D-Back
On the first launch, D-Back will ask for access permissions to your iPhone data in order to scan for deleted content. Grant all requested access to ensure full functionality.
Step 3 – Pick a recovery mode
On the D-Back start screen, you’ll be prompted to pick a recovery mode depending on the type of data loss on your device. To retrieve deleted text messages, select “Recover from iOS Device”.
Step 4 – Select the target data types to scan
On the next screen, D-Back allows you to pick which data types to scan for deletion. Check the boxes for “Messages & Attachments” and any other data you need.
Step 5 – Analyze your iPhone
iMyFone D-Back will now analyze your iPhone to identify deleted content still present on it. Wait patiently during this process.
Step 6 – Preview and recover deleted messages
Once the scan completes, you’ll see a list of all recoverable data identified by D-Back. Preview the messages and select those you want to recover.
Click “Recover” and save the retrieved data to your iPhone or computer.
Method 2: Retrieve from iCloud backup
If you have iCloud backup enabled, you may be able to recover deleted text messages from the backup to your iPhone. Here’s how:
Step 1: Stop iCloud backup on your iPhone
Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn off backups. This prevents overwriting the backup containing your deleted messages.
Step 2: Erase your iPhone
Factory reset your iPhone – this wipes all data and settings. Make sure Find My is off first.
Step 3: Restore iPhone from iCloud backup
During iPhone setup, choose to restore from your latest iCloud backup when asked. This will retrieve the deleted messages as long as that backup was made before they were deleted.
Step 4: Recover messages and re-enable iCloud backup
Your recently deleted text messages should now be restored to your iPhone. Double check that they are retrieved, then turn iCloud backup back on.
Method 3: Use iPhone message recovery services
Some companies specialize in iOS data recovery and provide message retrieval services if you’ve exhausted other options. They use advanced tools and techniques to extract deleted data from iOS devices.
However, this method has downsides:
- You must mail your iPhone to them
- No guarantee of successful recovery
- Expensive – fees often start from $300
So turn to professional iPhone data recovery services only if you have no other choice to retrieve deleted text messages.
Tips to avoid losing text messages
To avoid needing to restore deleted messages, follow these tips:
- Double check before deleting any text messages
- Make regular iCloud backups so you have fallbacks
- Enable auto-backup on third-party messaging apps
- Use a messaging app that stores histories in the cloud
Conclusion
Accidentally losing important text messages is inconvenient and frustrating. Thankfully, there are several ways to recover recently deleted text messages on your iPhone without needing a backup. Data recovery apps like iMyFone D-Back offer the quickest, easiest route to get back deleted SMS and iMessages with attachments. Just be sure to act quickly before the data is overwritten. Following some proactive measures can also help avoid permanent message loss down the road.
