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Home / Cell Phone Tips / How Far Back Can Text Messages Be Retrieved โ€“ Everything To Know

How Far Back Can Text Messages Be Retrieved โ€“ Everything To Know

Text messaging has become a common way for people to communicate. Over 50% of Americans now send or receive texts every day.

How Far Back Can Text Messages Be Retrieved

But did you know that text messages can be stored indefinitely on some phones?

Do you know thereโ€™s a way you can retrieve old text messages?

If you want to retrieve old texts from your phone, youโ€™ll need to download them manually or use a tool that works purposely for that reason.

But before that, thereโ€™s a lot we need to talk about.

What Happens to Deleted Texts?

If you delete a message, it will still exist in the system and you can access it if you have root access to your device. The only thing is that it wonโ€™t show up as deleted in the app itself.

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Instead, it will appear as an undeleted message in the Messages folder. So how do you get at this undeleted message?

Itโ€™s pretty easy. All you have to do is open up the Messages folder and look for the undeleted message. Youโ€™ll see it right away.

Are Deleted Texts Gone Forever?

No. They are not gone forever. There are ways to recover deleted text messages. However, these methods require you to have root access to your phone.

This means you must unlock your bootloader. Once unlocked, youโ€™ll be able to install apps like iFonebox which allows you to restore deleted text messages.

How Long Can I Retrieve Old Text Messages?

This depends on what type of phone you own. Some devices allow you to view all your text messages while others donโ€™t.

Most newer Android devices will let you view all your text messages but older models may limit you to viewing just the last 30 daysโ€™ worth of messages.

In some instances, you can delete messages as old as 3 months. In some other carriers, you can go beyond 6 months. But in most situations, you might not be able to retrieve messages deleted more than a month ago.

How Long Texts Stay On the Network?

The length of time that text messages stay on the network varies by carrier and plan. For example, AT&T customers with unlimited data plans can store their text messages for up to one year.

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Sprint users can keep their messages for up to two years. T-Mobile users can store their messages for up to five years. Verizon customers can store their messages for three months.

How to retrieve deleted SMS?

There are many different tools out there that claim to help you retrieve deleted text messages. While most of these programs work, they arenโ€™t free and they might not work with all types of phones.

One such program is called iFoneBox. This program was designed specifically for retrieving deleted text messages. It also comes with other features including call recording.

iFoneBox Review: How Does It Work?

The first step in using iFoneBox is downloading the software onto your computer. After installing the software, youโ€™ll need to connect your phone via a USB cable.

Then launch the application and click โ€œStartโ€. Next, select the option โ€œBackupโ€ and follow the instructions. When the backup process is complete, click โ€œRestore.โ€ Now, youโ€™re ready to begin restoring your deleted text messages.

  • Step 1: Select the number of messages youโ€™d like to restore.
  • Step 2: Click โ€œNext.โ€
  • Step 3: Choose where youโ€™d like to save the restored messages.
  • Step 4: Wait until the entire process is finished.
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Thatโ€™s it! Your old text messages are now available again.

FAQs

Is iFoneBox safe to use to recover deleted SMS?

Yes. iFoneBox has been tested extensively by their team and theyโ€™ve found no issues with its safety or reliability. This means that itโ€™s one of the safest and the most reliable methods of recovering deleted messages.

Where is my text message history?

If you want to find your text messages, you need to know where your Messages folder is located. Scroll down and tap on the Messages icon. From here, you should see a list of folders. The Messages folder is usually located under the All Apps section. If you canโ€™t locate this folder, then try searching through your device settings. You should be able to find it there.

Will my texts be restored to my new phone?

No. You cannot transfer your text messages from one phone to another. To do so, you would have to buy a new phone.

Can I Recover My Deleted Text Messages From Multiple Devices?

Yes. You can use iFoneBox to recover deleted messages from multiple devices.

Conclusion

Texting is a fun part of life. But sometimes, things happen and you lose your messages. Luckily, there are several options when it comes to recovering lost text messages. Whether youโ€™ve accidentally deleted them or had your phone stolen, thereโ€™s a solution for you.

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Vanesa Charna
Vanesa Charna
Capturing lifeโ€™s moments through her lens, Vanesa is a photography enthusiast with a lifelong thirst for learning. Her seasoned experience in event planning marries well with her love for streaming and writing, bringing a unique flair to our team.
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