How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on Android 2025

There is no doubt that Android text message plays a critical role in our everyday lives. It preserves important notifications, payment recordings, and other contact communications. However, your text messages on Android can be deleted accidentally. In this case, you can recover your deleted messages from an Android backup. If you don’t have the backup, how to find deleted messages on Android? Can you recover them? Don’t worry, we will introduce 5 easy ways to retrieve deleted text messages on Android, no matter whether you have a backup or not.

Where Are Deleted Text Messages Stored on Android

Your deleted Android text messages will be stored in the recycle bin for 30 days. After that, they will be removed permanently from your device. This recycle bin allows you to recover unexpectedly deleted messages, such as a misoperation. But what if your text messages are deleted more than 30 days? Can you retrieve them too? Check the following methods and get the answers.

How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages Android

Method 1. Recover Recently Deleted Messages from Recycle Bin

The above part introduced where deleted text messages are stored on Android, thus you can retrieve them directly on your device. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open the Messages app.

Step 2. Find the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.

Step 3. Choose the Recycle Bin ( or Trash).

Step 4. Choose the deleted text messages you want to retrieve.

Step 5. Tap on Restore to get them back to your messages list.

You may also like: How to find deleted apps on Android

Method 2. Retrieve Deleted Android Text Messages with Google Backup

For text messages deleted more than 30 days, you cannot recover them from the recycle bin. You can retrieve deleted text messages on Android via Google Backup. This method requires your Android device to be logged in with a Google account. Besides, your text messages should be backed up before deletion. So you’d better check your latest Google backup first.

Steps to check your last Google backup:

Step 1. Open Settings and go to Google > Manage Backup.

Step 2. Check the date under Backup by Google One.

If the latest Google backup is made before you delete the relevant text messages, then this method works. Now, follow the steps to recover permanently deleted text messages on Android with Google backup:

Step 1. Open the Settings app and tap System or System & Updates.

Step 2. Select Reset or Reset options > Factory data reset or Erase all data. Enter your PIN, pattern, or password if prompted.

Step 3. Select Reset phone or Erase everything. Your device will reset and restart.

Step 4. On the Welcome screen, choose Let’s Go > Copy your data.

Step 5. Select Backup from the cloud and sign in to your Google Account.

Select your desired items to restore (make sure you select SMS & MMS messages), then tap Restore to begin the data recovery process. Follow any on-screen instructions.

Method 3. Retrieve Deleted Text Messages Android Free without Computer

If your phone creates automatic Google backups, you might be able to restore your phone to retrieve lost text messages. However, this only works when you have a backup and can only let you recover all messages at once, and you need to reset your phone to restore SMS from Google Drive. That’s why we put it after other methods. If you still want to use this method, here is the step-by-step guide on how to recover deleted text messages on Android.

1. Start the Google Drive app on your phone.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top left of the screen and tap on Backups.
3. If you see a section labeled This device, tap your backup.
4. On the details page, find the entry for SMS. After that, you can recover it.

Method 4. Recover Deleted Messages on Android without Backup

If you haven’t backed up text messages in advance, how to recover deleted messages on Android without backup? Luckily, you can turn to DroidKit – Android Data Recovery, which allows you to deeply scan your phone and recover deleted messages without backup. Besides, you can preview the deleted messages and choose what you want to recover without erasing data.

DroidKit can recover 13 essential Android data types, like contacts, videos, photos, WhatsApp messages, etc. Also, DroidKit is very user-friendly. There are no technical skills required for text message recovery on Android.

In addition, DroidKit offers you other powerful features, including unlocking Android screen lock, bypassing FRP lock, fixing Android system, and more.

Now, you can free download DroidKit and follow the guide below to see how to recover permanently deleted text messages, even without backup.

Steps to Recover Permanently Deleted Text Messages on Android:

Step 1. Launch DroidKit on your computer. Choose the Deep Recovery from Device.

Step 2. Choose Messages to scan. Make sure your phone is connected and click on the Start button.

Step 3. The program will automatically check your Android’s Root Status. If it hasn’t been rooted yet, hit Root Now to continue.

Step 4. After that, all the messages will be listed here. You can choose to recover the message To Device or To PC.

Step 5. Text messages are recovered successfully.

Method 5. Retrieve Deleted Messages with Computer

Another way to recover deleted text messages on Android is by using a third-party Android data recovery tool on a computer. PhoneRescue for Android is such a tool you can try on Windows and Mac. Similar to DroidKit, PhoneRescue for Android also supports retrieving Android deleted messages without backup. You can check its main features in the following:

• High data recovery rate for getting back deleted messages. 100% clear and safe, no worry about data leakage.
• It can recover the deleted messages directly to your Android phone, just like you have never lost them.
• PhoneRescue for Android can recover lost messages caused by various reasons, like accidental deletion, the phone lost or damaged, system failure, etc.
• It supports recovering messages, call history, photos, contacts, calendars, video events, and more crucial data right from your Android phone.

Now, just free download PhoneRescue for Android on your Mac/PC and then follow this step-by-step guide on how to retrieve deleted text messages.

Step 1. Download and install PhoneRescue for Android.

PhoneRescue for Android is compatible with both Windows and macOS. So you can download and open PhoneRescue for Android on your computer, then connect your Android phone to the computer with a USB cable.

Step 2. Analyze and scan your Android phone for lost text messages.

You can select Messages, then click Next to scan your Android phone.

Step 3. Preview and restore deleted messages.

Preview and select the messages you want to recover > Click the Recover button.

FAQs About Retrieving Deleted Messages on Android

1. How to recover deleted messages in Android phone without backup?

You can recover recently deleted messages in the recycle bin for no more than 30 days. Or use some third-party software like DroidKit and PhoneRescue for Android to recover deleted messages on Android without backup.

2. How to recover permanently deleted text messages on Android?

You can recover permanently deleted text messages from a Google or other backup. If not, you can only make the recovery with data recovery tools. You’d better back up your Android data regularly when using the device.

The Bottom Line

There are 5 methods available to retrieve deleted text messages on Android, including the steps with a backup or not. You can choose the proper one to get back your lost messages easily. Besides, we have introduced how to recover permanently deleted messages on Android without backup, which attributes to DroidKit and PhoneRescue for Android. Download the Android messages recovery tools now and recover your lost texts in a few seconds.