How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Android

Losing important text messages can be stressful, but there are effective ways to recover them on Android devices.

Whether you have a backup or not, Ondroider will help you about how to recover deleted text messages on Android in this 2025 by using builtin features, thirdparty tools, and other recovery methods.

Let’s have a look at each of step-by-step process to recover and to view deleted messages on android.

How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Android

Recover Deleted Text Messages Using Google Drive Backup

If your Android device is set to back up data to Google Drive, you can restore deleted messages from a previous backup. Here’s how:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Google > Backup and ensure that backups are enabled.
  3. Check the date of the last backup to confirm it includes the deleted messages.
  4. Perform a factory reset:
    • Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data.
    • Confirm the reset by entering your PIN or password.
  5. During the setup process after the reset, choose Restore from Google Drive and select the backup.

Note: This method will overwrite any new data added after the backup date, so use it cautiously.

Restore Archived Messages in Google Messages

Sometimes, messages are not deleted but archived by mistake. To retrieve them:

  1. Open the Google Messages app.
  2. Tap the three dot menu in the top right corner and select Archived.
  3. Long-press the conversation you want to restore.
  4. Tap the Unarchive icon (uparrow) at the top.

This method works for conversations that were archived instead of being permanently deleted.

Recover Deleted Messages from Samsung’s Recycle Bin

Samsung Galaxy devices have a builtin Recycle Bin feature in their default Messages app that stores deleted texts for 30 days:

  1. Open the Samsung Messages app.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and select Trash or Recycle Bin.
  3. Locate the deleted message(s) you want to recover.
  4. Long-press the message and tap Restore.

After 30 days, messages in the Recycle Bin are permanently deleted, so act quickly.

Use Third Party Recovery Tools Without Backup

If no backup is available, third-party apps can help recover lost text messages by scanning your device’s storage:

DroidKit

  • Recovers deleted messages without requiring backups.
  • Supports rooted and non-rooted devices for deep scans.

Steps:

  1. Download and install DroidKit on your computer.
  2. Connect your phone via USB and enable USB debugging (found under Developer Options).
  3. Open DroidKit and select Deep Recovery from Device.
  4. Scan for deleted messages and preview them before recovery.

Dr.Fone Data Recovery

  • A popular tool for recovering SMS, photos, and other data types.
  • Requires a computer connection for scanning.

Steps:

  1. Install Dr.Fone on your PC or Mac and connect your phone via USB.
  2. Follow on-screen instructions to scan for deleted messages.
  3. Preview and restore selected texts directly to your device or computer.

Other reliable tools include:

  • EaseUS MobiSaver
  • PhoneRescue for Android
  • Tenorshare UltData

Contact Your Mobile Carrier

In some cases, mobile carriers retain records of text messages for a limited time and may assist with recovery:

  1. Contact your carrier’s customer support team.
  2. Inquire about their SMS retention policies and whether they can retrieve deleted texts for you.
  3. Provide details like phone number, message date, and recipient information.

This method is not guaranteed but may work for recently deleted messages.

Prevent Future Data Loss

To avoid losing important text messages in the future, consider these preventive measures:

  • Enable automatic backups in Google Drive:
    • Go to Settings > Google > Backup and turn on backups for SMS.
  • Use third-party apps like SMS Backup & Restore to create manual or scheduled backups of your text messages.
  • Archive conversations instead of deleting them when cleaning up your inbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover deleted text messages without rooting my phone?

Yes! Tools like DroidKit and EaseUS MobiSaver allow recovery without rooting your device.

How long do deleted messages stay in Samsung’s Recycle Bin?

Deleted texts remain in Samsung’s Recycle Bin for 30 days before being permanently erased.

Is it possible to recover texts after a factory reset?

Yes, but only if you’ve backed up your data to Google Drive or another service before performing the reset.

Conclusion:

Recovering deleted text messages on Android is achievable through various methods, whether by restoring from backups, using builtin features like Samsung’s Recycle Bin, or leveraging powerful third-party tools such as DroidKit or Dr.Fone.

By taking proactive steps like enabling regular backups, you can ensure that no critical message is ever lost again.

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