Recover Recently Deleted Messages on PC & Mobile

Accidental deletion of messages can be catastrophic for both PC and mobile users. A single misclick or software error on PCs may erase vital emails and chat records, while on mobile devices, an unintended swipe can remove important texts, multimedia, or entire conversation threads. Such errors, often occurring during multitasking or stressful situations, may only be noticed too late. Recovering these messages is essential since lost data can lead to gaps, missed opportunities, or legal issues. Analysis in 2025 confirms that modern recovery tools and robust backup solutions now offer advanced features to restore your recently deleted messages, ensuring that critical communications remain safeguarded.

Why Are Messages Deleted on Your Device?

Messages may be deleted for various reasons—whether it’s accidental deletion, an app update, or a phone reset. Understanding why messages were deleted can help determine the best recovery method. Here’s why messages are typically lost:

• Accidental Deletion: Mistakenly deleting messages while cleaning up.
• Software Glitches: System errors or app bugs leading to lost data.
• Factory Reset: A full device reset can erase everything, including your messages.
• No Backup: If you haven’t backed up your messages, you might not be able to recover them easily.

Regardless of the cause, message recovery is often possible, even without a backup.

How to Recover Recently Deleted Messages on PC

If you’re using messaging apps like Skype, WhatsApp Web, or Facebook Messenger on your PC, recovery can be a bit different than on mobile. However, it’s still possible!

1. Check Your App’s Cloud Backup

Many messaging apps offer automatic cloud backups. For example, WhatsApp Web syncs messages with your mobile device. If you had a backup on your phone, reinstalling the app on your mobile device and restoring from backup will also restore the messages on the desktop version.

2. Restore from Local App Files

Some messaging apps on PC, like Skype or Slack, keep local files of your messages on your computer.

• Skype: Messages are stored in the app’s database on your PC. If you’ve accidentally deleted a message, you can try using a data recovery tool to scan your PC’s hard drive.
• Slack: Slack allows you to search through old messages using their search feature, and if they are deleted, they may still be in the app’s archive (depending on the workspace’s settings).

3. Use a PC Data Recovery Tool

If you’ve lost messages stored locally on your PC, using a data recovery tool can help.

• Recuva: A free file recovery tool that can scan your PC for deleted files, including chat logs.
• WinfrGUI: Another user-friendly tool that simplifies file recovery with Windows File Recovery.

Steps:

• Download and install WinfrGUI.
• Select the drive where the messages were stored.
• Scan for deleted files and look for your message files.

4. Look in the App’s Trash Folder

Some apps like Skype and Google Hangouts have a trash folder where deleted messages are temporarily stored before being permanently erased. Check the trash or archived messages section of the app.

Tips for Choosing Recovery Software:

• Verify compatibility with your system and file types.
• Check user reviews and ratings for effectiveness and support.
• Evaluate free versus premium options based on your specific recovery needs.

🔍 Tip: Want to Recover Messages Deleted More Than 30 Days Ago?

Facebook Messenger only keeps deleted messages in the “Recently Deleted” section for up to 30 days. After that, the messages are automatically and permanently removed.

If you’re trying to recover messages that were permanently deleted, your best option is to use a professional data recovery tool that scans your device for any remnants of deleted data.

For a detailed guide, check out 👉Can You Recover Permanently Deleted Files? Proven Solutions

How to Recover Recently Deleted Messages on iPhone

iPhone users have a few more options when it comes to recovering deleted messages, depending on whether they have a backup or not.

1. Check iCloud Backup

If your iPhone is backed up to iCloud, you can recover deleted messages by restoring your iPhone to an earlier backup.

If there is a backup from the date when the messages were still available, you can restore it.

Open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

2. Use iTunes/Finder Backup

If you’ve been using iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later) to back up your iPhone, you can restore messages from these backups:

• Connect your iPhone to the computer.
• Open iTunes or Finder, and select your device.
• Choose Restore Backup, and select the backup from the time before the messages were deleted.

3. Use Third-Party iPhone Data Recovery Software

There are several apps that specialize in recovering deleted data from iPhones. Popular ones include:

• Dr. Fone – Data Recovery for iOS
• iMobie PhoneRescue
• Tenorshare UltData

Steps:

• Download and install the recovery software.
• Connect your iPhone and scan for deleted messages.
• Preview and restore the messages you need.

4. Check Your iCloud Messaging App Backup

For apps like WhatsApp or iMessages, check their individual backup settings:

• WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. You can restore your messages from iCloud if a backup is available.

Also Interested👉 How to Recover Permanently Deleted Videos with Free Software

How to Get Back Deleted Messages on Android

Android users can recover deleted messages in a few different ways, depending on whether they’ve backed up their data or not.

1. Check Google Backup

Android devices often back up messages to Google Drive. If you have backups enabled, you can restore deleted messages.

Open Settings > Google > Backup.

If a backup exists from the time when the messages were still available, you can restore them by resetting your phone to that backup.

2. Use a Message Recovery App

If you don’t have a backup, you can still recover deleted messages using third-party recovery tools. Here are some popular options:

• Dr. Fone – Data Recovery: One of the top recovery tools for Android, helping you recover text messages, photos, and more.
• EaseUS MobiSaver: A reliable app for recovering deleted text messages, photos, contacts, and more.
• DiskDigger: A free app that scans for deleted files on your Android phone.

Steps:

• Download and install the app on your PC or Android device.
• Connect your Android phone to the computer and scan for deleted messages.
• Preview the deleted messages and restore them.

3. Check Your Messaging App’s Backup

Apps like WhatsApp offer their own backup systems that may contain your deleted messages.

For WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. If you have a recent backup, you can restore it and recover the deleted messages.

🔍 Tip: If you’re dealing with other types of deleted content, you might also be interested in this guide

👉How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos from Google Photos after 60 Days

User Reviews and Experiences

1. User experiences with message recovery methods vary, highlighting both successes and challenges.

• For instance, one user praised the “Recover Deleted Messages” app WinfrGUI for its effectiveness, stating, “It does what it says it will do, easily and well.”
• Similarly, the “Undeleter Recover Files & Data” app received acclaim for its secure erase feature, with a user noting, “I found Undeleter to be incredibly useful when recovering old files as the secure erase feature gave me peace of mind.

2. However, not all experiences are positive.

• Some users report difficulties with certain recovery tools. For example, a Reddit user shared frustration after attempting to recover important texts: “I deleted texts that were very important by accident. I tried an app but that did not recover the messages.”
• Another user expressed dissatisfaction with a different tool, stating, “They won’t refund you money… Dr. Fone didn’t help to unlock my Android phone.”

3. These varied experiences underscore the importance of selecting reliable recovery methods.

• Users recommend verifying app credibility, ensuring device compatibility, and regularly backing up data to prevent loss.
• Engaging with user communities can provide valuable insights and practical advice for navigating the complexities of message recovery

Conclusion

Recovering recently deleted messages doesn’t have to be complicated. By checking recently deleted folders, restoring backups, or using reliable recovery software, you can successfully retrieve lost conversations on your PC or mobile device. To avoid future data loss, consider enabling automatic backups and archiving important messages. Acting quickly increases the chances of recovery, so start the process as soon as possible to get your messages back.

Also Read👉 How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files Windows 10 Using CMD

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I recover permanently deleted messages on Messenger?

No. Once messages are removed from the “Recently Deleted” section after 30 days, they are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through Facebook. You may try using a data recovery tool to scan your device for any leftover data.

2. How long do deleted messages stay on Messenger?

Deleted messages stay in the “Recently Deleted” section for up to 30 days. After that period, they are automatically erased and can’t be recovered.

3. What happens when I delete a chat on Messenger?

When you delete a chat, it’s removed from your conversation list. If you choose “Archive” instead, the chat is simply hidden and can be restored anytime — it’s not deleted.

4. Can I see messages deleted by someone else?

No. You can only view messages that remain in your own account. If someone else deletes a conversation from their end, it won’t be visible to them, but you may still see it unless you also delete it.