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Solved: Recover Disappeared Messages on iPhone Original text

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Why are my messages erasing on iPhone by themselves?
How to Recover Disappeared Messages on iPhone
How to stop messages from deleting themselves on iPhone
1.Restore disappeared messages on iPhone without backup
2.Restore disappeared messages from iCloud / iTunes backup
1. Keep messages forever
2. Save messages regularly
3. Store messages on iCloud

Abstract :

By using FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery or iCloud / iTunes backup, you can recover the missing messages on iPhone. Check out this article to better understand the causes and solutions for automatic iPhone message deletion..

“All the text messages I had in Messages on my iPhone suddenly disappeared today. When I opened the Messages app, I saw that it was completely empty. Is there a way to restore messages to my smartphone? … ”

- Apple Discussion


Many iPhone users have encountered a similar situation: iPhone texting is gone or iPhone keeps deleting messages without warning . This can happen right after an iOS update, a sync to iCloud or even after other operations.

Don't worry if you don't know what to do. In this article, you will find out the reasons leading to this problem and also find some possible solutions which can help you to restore missing messages on iPhone ..

Why are my messages erasing on iPhone by themselves?

When you notice that your texts have been deleted from your iPhone or your iPhone keeps deleting your messages, then maybe it is because:

  • Your iPhone automatically deletes your messages. If you have turned on the automatic deletion of messages feature on iPhone and have set them for 30 days or one year, then your iPhone will delete the messages when the set time comes. To prevent your iPhone from regularly deleting your messages, you can choose to backup iPhone Messages history forever (opens new window) .
  • Bad conversations are restored in the Messages app if you choose the wrong backup. It is therefore important to select the right backup by carefully checking its date, size and operating system version.
  • If the Messages app's iCloud sync is active on your iPhone, but the iCloud server is not functioning properly , then the messages will not be able to load and you will not be able to restore them from iCloud backup. To resolve this issue, you can check the status of the iCloud server.
  • There is probably a link with a recent iOS update. A problem with the update of iOS 11/12/13 can indeed cause the disappearance of all your messages.
  • Your iPhone messages might have been accidentally or intentionally deleted by someone.

How to Recover Disappeared Messages on iPhone

1.Restore disappeared messages on iPhone without backup

Even if you don't have iCloud or iTunes backup available, you still have the option to find your missing messages on iPhone if you use professional iPhone data recovery software.

FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery (opens new window) is a great choice that won't disappoint you. This program provides flexible solutions to restore lost data to any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch running on iOS 13 or other later iOS version. It can not only recover iPhone disappeared messages directly but it can also do it from iTunes / iCloud backup that you created previously.

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With this powerful program, you can find various types of files, such as messages, contacts, notes, call history, etc. The coolest feature here is that you can preview deleted texts before restoring them, so you can make sure you've selected the right messages..


Here are some simple steps to help you restore your deleted messages automatically:

Step 1: Launch Data Recovery program on your computer.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.

Step 3: Click “Recover from iOS Device”> “Start” to start the search scan of your messages.

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Step 4: Go to “Messages” , preview and check the items you want to recover, then click “Recover”.

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2.Restore disappeared messages from iCloud / iTunes backup

Method 1: Find Missing SMS from iCloud

If you have synced your iPhone with iCloud, then you can follow the steps below to restore your missing messages on iPhone.

  • Go to "Settings"> "[Your name]"> "iCloud" and turn off "Messages".
  • Tap "Keep on my iPhone" when you see the corresponding message on the screen.
  • Activate the “Messages” option and tap on “Merge”.

Wait for the process to finish and then all missing messages will be restored to your Phone.

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Method 2: Restore Disappeared Messages from iTunes

If you made a backup of your iPhone with iTunes (opens new window) , then there is another way to recover the self-deleted message on iPhone. Please note, however, that this method with iTunes backup does not allow message preview before restore. It is also possible that you will restore the bad backup to your device.

With FonePaw iPhone Data Recovery (opens new window) , you can view messages from iTunes backup.

  • Open iTunes on the computer where you made the iPhone backup before.
  • Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Select your iPhone when it appears in the iTunes window.
  • Click on “Restore backup…” , check the date and size of the available backups that are in the list and select the one you need.
  • Click “Restore” to start the process.

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How to stop messages from deleting themselves on iPhone

As you now know the reasons why you found yourself in front of automatic deletion of messages on iPhone and know how to restore disappeared messages on iPhone, now we will see how to prevent cases of automatic deletion of messages on iPhone.

1. Keep messages forever

There is an auto delete feature for Messages app on iPhone. When enabled, your iPhone will automatically start deleting old messages after a certain period of time. To keep messages forever on your iOS device:

  • Go to "Settings" .
  • Scroll down until you find “Messages,” and then tap it. Then press "Keep messages" which is in the "Message history" section.
  • Select "Indefinitely" .

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2. Save messages regularly

To avoid encountering automatic deletion of messages on iPhone, we recommend that you make a full backup of your messages / iMessage on a regular basis or at least before performing a sync, restore or update to a new iOS version. These backups will allow you to recover your disappeared messages on iPhone if you face a case of disappearance.

3. Store messages on iCloud

If your iPhone is running on iOS 11.4 or later, then you can enable Messages in iCloud functions. This will store your iPhones messages and attachments in the iCloud server. All your messages will be displayed on your other iOS devices which are connected to the same account. This will allow you to have easier access to your message history on your other devices even if they have been deleted from your iPhone.

To activate Messages in iCloud on your iPhone, go to "Settings"> "[Your name]"> "iCloud" , then activate Messages.


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