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Many Samsung users, like those on S24 and S23 forums, often need to retrieve deleted text messages. This could be due to accidentally deleting texts or losing data after a factory reset. Situations where text retrieval is necessary, include needing evidence for legal reasons, retrieving lost contact info or photos, and recovering important conversations.
With the Galaxy S24 likely coming on January 17, 2024, based on expert guesses, understanding how to recover texts on Samsung devices remains relevant. This guide will explore 7 methods for how to retrieve deleted text messages on Samsung s22.
Video: How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on Android
Method 1: Call the cell phone carrier
The easiest way to recover deleted texts is to contact your cell phone carrier. Most major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint keep records of text messages for up to 30 days. Call customer support and request they send you the transcript for a specific date range.
There may be a small fee, but this is the quickest way to retrieve deleted texts if they are less than a month old. Keep in mind carriers can only provide texts, not any media sent via MMS.
Method 2: How to retrieve deleted text messages via web archive texts [Back up]
Another option is to retrieve deleted texts from a Google backup. If you had SMS backup enabled on your Samsung device, your messages may have been archived by Google. Here’s how to retrieve deleted text messages on Samsung s21 via Google:
- Go to messages.google.com and sign into the Google account associated with your Samsung phone.
- Check if there are any archived text conversations visible. Google stores texts for up to 30 days.
- Select any conversations you want to recover.
- Click the 3-dot menu next to the conversation and choose "Export". This will save the texts.
- Transfer the exported text history back to your Samsung device.
Method 3: How to retrieve deleted texts on Samsung without computer
You can retrieve deleted messages without a computer by using the Samsung Cloud backup. Here’s how to retrieve deleted text messages on Samsung s20:
- Open Settings on your Samsung device and go to Accounts and Backup.
- Tap on Restore Data under Samsung Cloud. You’ll see available backups listed with timestamps.
- Select the most recent backup that contains the deleted texts.
Note – if messages were deleted before the backup was made, they won’t be restored.
- Deselect all data types except Messages, and tap Restore. This will retrieve just your text messages from the Samsung Cloud backup.
Method 4: How to retrieve deleted text messages on Android without backup [Hot]
For deleted text recovery without a backup, a great option is Tenorshare UltData for Android. This tool supports over 6000 Android devices including Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, and more. UltData for Android can recover deleted texts, WhatsApp messages, photos, contacts and other data without root access.
Download and install this secure software on your computer, then connect your Samsung device. And here is how to retrieve deleted text messages on android:
- Select "Recover Lost Data" and choose the file types to scan for, including messages.
- Click "Start" to begin scanning your device for deleted data.
- Preview and selectively recover the deleted text messages you need.
With its advanced scanning and wide compatibility, Tenorshare UltData for Android is one of the best solutions for retrieving deleted texts from Samsung and other Android phones without backups.
Method 5: How to retrieve deleted text messages on samsung with Recycle Bin
If you use the default Samsung Messages app, there is a Recycle Bin feature that stores deleted texts for up to 30 days. Here is how to recover permanently deleted text messages on android:
- Open the Samsung Messages app and tap the 3-dot menu icon.
- Select Recycle Bin to view your recently deleted messages.
- Long press any messages you want to restore to select them. You can tap multiple conversations.
- Tap Restore to move the deleted texts back into your messages.
Method 6: How to retrieve deleted texts on Samsung for free
If you have a Samsung Cloud or Google Drive backup from before the texts were deleted, a factory reset can allow you to restore that backup and retrieve the messages. Here are the steps:
- Backup your Samsung phone to the cloud if you haven’t already.
- Reset your device to factory settings. This can be done through Settings.
- Set up your phone again and sign into your Samsung or Google account when prompted.
- Once setup is complete, your cloud backup will automatically restore, including the deleted texts as long as they were backed up.
Method 7: How to retrieve deleted texts on Samsung via Samsung Smart Switch
You can also restore deleted texts by using data backed up on the Samsung Smart Switch. To do this:
- Install Smart Switch on your PC and new Samsung phone.
- Connect the devices via a USB cable.
- Open Smart Switch on your computer and click "Restore" to find backed-up data.
- Select the backup file with the deleted texts if prompted. Click "Restore" again for Smart Switch to recover data, including the lost messages.
Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Google Backup | – Free and easy – No extra apps needed | – Only works if texts were backed up – Only restores up to 1 month of messages |
Samsung Cloud | – Free Samsung service – No computer needed | – Requires previous cloud backup – Messages deleted before backup are unrecoverable |
Tenorshare UltData for Android | – Extensive scanning features – Wide device compatibility – No backup needed -100% security | – Need paid |
Samsung Recycle Bin | – Built into default messaging app – 30 day restore window | – Only works if using Samsung Messages – Permanently deletes after 30 days |
Factory Reset | – Free method – Fully restores cloud backup | – Requires cloud backup – Resets entire phone |
Smart Switch | – Official Samsung solution – Restores full backup | – Need existing Smart Switch backup – Time consuming process |
[Bonus] How to prevent text messages from being permanently deleted from your cell phone
- Enable automatic backups to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive. This provides a way to restore deleted texts.
- Use the Samsung Messages app to take advantage of the built-in Recycle Bin for deleted messages.
- Export important text conversations to storage regularly as another backup.
- Be careful before factory resetting your device – you’ll lose all unsaved data.
FAQs
How do I retrieve erased text messages?
You can use data recovery software like Tenorshare UltData for Android to scan your phone and retrieve deleted texts without backups needed. It can restore even permanently deleted messages.
Can you recover permanently deleted text messages?
Yes, with the right data recovery tool like UltData, it’s possible to recover permanently deleted text messages that are otherwise unrecoverable through backups. The software scans the phone’s storage for residual data.
Is there any way to get back deleted texts?
Some methods, like contacting your carrier or using app recycle bins, can retrieve recently deleted texts. For long-deleted messages, your best option is data recovery software that works to find deleted data still on your device storage.