Many of us have accidentally deleted an important text message and thought that email was lost forever. If this happens to you, there are a few ways to retrieve deleted messages. Still, the chances of retrieval depend on factors like how often you back up your data and how recently you deleted the message.

All Google Android phones come with the Messages app, which has many RCS features. Meanwhile, various OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) like Samsung and OnePlus have their default messaging apps. Whether you use a Google Pixel or one of the best Samsung Galaxy phones, here’s how to retrieve deleted text messages on your phone.

What are the options for retrieving deleted text messages on Android?

There are several methods for retrieving deleted text messages on an Android. If you archived the conversation, you’ll find it in the Archived Inbox. Samsung Galaxy phones have a built-in Recycle bin menu that’s useful when looking for deleted messages.

If you activated Google Drive backup in Messages, you may need to factory reset your Android phone and set it up from scratch to find the deleted texts you’re looking for. There are also third-party Android recovery apps if none of these recovery tools do the job. Read the sections below for guidance on how to recover your deleted text messages.

Recover texts in the Messages by Google app archive

It’s easy to archive conversation threads in Messages accidentally. It’s also possible for conversations that were archived in the past to become relevant again. Regardless of your circumstance, recovering archived text messages is simple. Follow these steps to find and recover archived texts.

1. Open the Messages app on your phone.
2. Depending on your device, tap the overflow icon (the three-dot menu) in the upper-right corner or tap the hamburger menu in the upper-left corner.
3. Select Archived.

4. Long tap the message you want to recover and tap the up-arrow icon at the top.

Google doesn’t have a Recycle bin feature for Messages. That means recovering deleted text messages that weren’t sent to the archive is a little more difficult. If you activated Google Drive backup, that will do the trick. Otherwise, you’ll rely on third-party data recovery apps to retrieve the deleted texts.

Find deleted text messages in the Messages Recycle bin on Samsung Galaxy phones

The default One UI Messages app on Galaxy phones has several useful features. When you delete a text message in Samsung’s Messages app, it’s stored in the Recycle bin for 30 days. Once those 30 days are up, the Recycle bin permanently deletes the message. Follow these steps to recover deleted messages from the Recycle bin within that 30-day period.

1. Open the default Messages app on your Samsung phone.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and open the Recycle bin.

3. Check your deleted text messages. Long tap the message you want to retrieve.
4. Select Restore at the bottom and check the same in your primary inbox.

After completing these steps, the deleted text messages reappear in your default Messages app. The deleted messages aren’t recoverable this way after 30 days.

Access deleted texts through your carrier

Mobile carriers often offer additional text messaging apps on Android phones with useful functions. For example, AT&T has AT&T Messages Backup & Sync, and Verizon offers Verizon Messages. These apps usually support backup features that make recovering messages easier and sometimes allow you to access your text messages on other devices. Additional recovery features may be available if you use your carrier’s text messaging app.

Use third-party data recovery software to recover deleted text messages

There’s no shortage of third-party data recovery apps in the Play Store and on the web. Software solutions like Dr.Fone, PhoneRescue, and FonePaw claim to retrieve deleted text messages on your Android phone.

These apps offer features like quick scan and deep scan to find deleted data on your phone. Some tools require you to root the device to recover text messages. Services like these often require subscriptions for advanced features, and the results are not always guaranteed. Read the fine print carefully if you plan to use such tools. It’s never a bad idea to check reviews and other online comments.

Reach out to the sender as a last resort

Contact the sender if none of the previous methods retrieved your deleted texts. The person might have a copy of the text message you are looking for, and you can ask them to forward the message.

Tips to avoid permanently losing your text messages

It’s never fun when you permanently lose something important. Text messages are no exception. Try some of these tips and tricks to safeguard your texts from being permanently lost.

Archive messages instead of deleting them

The default Messages app offers an option to archive a conversation instead of deleting it. Alternative texting apps usually offer this feature as well. When you want to hide an irrelevant conversation from the main menu, archive the thread instead of deleting it. The default swipe gestures in the Messages app can quickly archive a chat thread.

1. Open Google Messages.
2. Swipe left or right on any conversation to archive it.

3. You can recover the same conversation by using the previously mentioned steps.

Back up your text messages in Google Drive

Activating Google Drive backup on your Android phone is a great way to safeguard your texts from permanent deletion. Google Drive backs up installed app data, media files, SMS messages, call history, device settings, and Google account data. Plus, you can access these backups from other devices.

1. Swipe up from the homescreen to open the app drawer.
2. Open the Settings app by tapping the gear icon.
3. Scroll to System.
4. Select Backup.

5. Check account storage and turn on the Backup by Google One toggle from the following menu.

Your Android phone’s backup contributes to your Google Account storage metrics. If you run out of default storage space, consider freeing up some storage space or subscribing to one of the Google One plans.

To retrieve deleted text messages on your Android using Google backups, you must factory reset your phone and choose to restore the Google Drive backup during setup.

Use a third-party SMS app to back up and recover text messages

Not everyone prefers a cloud backup and a lengthy factory reset to restore deleted text messages. Various third-party SMS apps like Pulse allow you to back up and restore texts.

Pulse SMS offers multiple theme options, a web version to check your messages on a desktop, Wear OS support, rich web link previews, password protection, the ability to back up and restore text messages, and automated replies. Some advanced features are part of the Pulse+ subscription that starts at $0.99 per month.

Check your text messages on your laptop or PC

There are various methods of retrieving deleted text messages on Android, with data recovery apps being your best bet at getting that crucial message back. However, these apps require subscriptions for advanced features, so we listed other options above. No matter which phone you use, we recommend regular data backups so that you can retrieve deleted texts. This is handy if you use Google Messages because, unlike Samsung’s Messages app, it doesn’t have a Recycle bin for deleted texts.

In most instances, Google Messages is the default messaging app on Android. But if you’re tethered to your desktop PC and don’t have your phone within reach, use Google Messages on your computer.