How to Recover Permanently Deleted Text Messages on Android

Losing important text messages on your Android device can be a frustrating experience, especially if they contain critical information or sentimental value. However, several methods can help you recover permanently deleted text messages on Android, even without a backup. This article will guide you through the various steps and tools available to help you retrieve your lost messages.

Where Are Deleted Text Messages Stored on Android?

When you delete a text message, it doesn't immediately disappear from your device. Instead, its original location is marked as free and replaceable, meaning the data is still in the device, waiting for new data to potentially overwrite it.

This temporary storage period can vary depending on the device and usage patterns. For instance, some Android devices, like Samsung phones, have a "Recycle Bin" or "Trash" feature that stores deleted messages for about 30 days before they are permanently deleted. This feature can be a lifesaver if you realize you've deleted important messages recently.

Methods to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Android

Using the Recycle Bin (Trash)

If your Android device has a Recycle Bin or Trash feature, you can easily recover deleted text messages within the specified time frame. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Messages App: Launch the messaging app on your Android device.
2. Access the Recycle Bin: Tap the three-dot menu button and select the Recycle Bin option.
3. Select Deleted Messages: Choose the deleted text messages you want to recover.
4. Restore Messages: Click the Restore icon to bring the messages back to your inbox.

Using Google Messages App

If you use the Google Messages app, you can also recover deleted text messages from Google Drive. Here’s how:

1. Open Google Drive on PC: Launch the Google Drive app on your computer and click on the three horizontal lines.
2. Select Labeled Device: Navigate to the Labeled device section and hit the backup button.
3. Search for SMS Entry: Go to the details page and search for the SMS entry.
4. Restore Messages: You can now recover all types of text messages from your Android device.

Using Samsung Messages App

If you use a Samsung device, you can recover deleted text messages directly from the Samsung Messages app:

1. Open Samsung Messages: Launch the Samsung Messages app.
2. Tap Three-Dot Icon: Tap the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select Trash: Click on the Trash option.
4. Restore Messages: Select a conversation and click Restore to bring it back to your inbox.

Resetting Your Phone to Recover Deleted Text Messages

If you have backed up your data using Google or Samsung Cloud, you can reset your phone to restore the deleted text messages:

1. Open Settings: Go to Settings on your smartphone.
2. Tap About Phone: Scroll down and tap About phone.
3. Select Factory Reset: Find and select the Factory reset or Reset option.
4. Confirm Action: Tap Erase all data and confirm the action.
5. Restore from Backup: While setting up your phone, ensure that you use the same Google account or Samsung account that you used for the backup.
6. Restore SMS Messages: Under choose what to restore, select the SMS messages option and click Restore.

Using Third-Party Software Solutions

If the above methods don't work or if you're looking for a more reliable solution, third-party software can be very effective. Here are some popular tools:

DroidKit

DroidKit is a powerful tool designed to recover deleted data from Android devices, including text messages. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download and Install DroidKit: Get DroidKit downloaded and installed on your computer.
2. Choose Deep Recovery from Device: Open DroidKit and choose Deep Recovery from Device.
3. Scan for Messages: Select Messages to scan and make sure your phone is connected. Click on the Start button.
4. Root Your Device (if necessary): The program will automatically check your Android’s Root Status. If it hasn’t been rooted yet, hit Root Now to continue.
5. Preview and Recover Messages: After scanning, all the messages will be listed. You can choose to recover the message To Device or To PC.

PhoneRescue for Android

PhoneRescue for Android is another reliable tool that can help you recover deleted text messages:

1. Download and Open PhoneRescue: Download PhoneRescue for Android on your Mac/PC and open it.
2. Connect Your Phone: Connect your Android phone to the computer with a USB cable.
3. Select Messages: Select Messages and click Next to scan your Android phone.
4. Preview and Select Messages: Preview and select the messages you want to recover.
5. Recover Messages: Click the Recover button to retrieve your deleted text messages.

Tenorshare UltData for Android

Tenorshare UltData for Android is also a highly recommended tool for recovering deleted text messages:

1. Download and Install UltData: Download and install Tenorshare UltData for Android on your computer.
2. Connect Your Phone: Connect your Android phone to the computer via USB cable.
3. Scan for Messages: Select Messages and click Start Scan to begin the recovery process.
4. Preview and Recover Messages: After scanning, preview and select the messages you want to recover. Click Recover to retrieve them.

Additional Tips

Preventing Overwriting

To increase the chances of recovering deleted text messages, it's crucial to prevent new data from overwriting the existing data on your device. Here’s how:

1. Turn on Airplane Mode: Immediately turn on Airplane mode to prevent new messages from being received and overwriting the deleted messages.
2. Stop Using Your Device: Avoid using your device until the recovery process is complete to minimize the risk of overwriting the deleted data.

Using Google Backup

If you have backed up your data using Google Backup, you can restore your deleted text messages by following these steps:

1. Open Settings: Go to Settings on your smartphone.
2. Scroll Down to Google Services & Preferences: Scroll down to Google Services & Preferences.
3. Click Backup: Click Backup.
4. Check Last Backup: Determine if the last backup held the messages you intend to restore.
5. Factory Reset and Restore: If the dates add up, you'll need to factory reset your phone and restore from your backup.

Losing important text messages on your Android device can be stressful, but there are several methods you can use to recover them. Whether you use the built-in Recycle Bin feature, third-party software solutions like DroidKit or PhoneRescue, or reset your phone to restore from a backup, these steps can help you retrieve your lost messages. Always remember to prevent new data from overwriting the existing data on your device to increase the chances of successful recovery.

By following these detailed steps and using the right tools, you can recover permanently deleted text messages on your Android device, ensuring that your important conversations are not lost forever.