Recover Deleted Messenger Messages on iPhone for Free (2025 Guide)

authorPic

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-11-26 / Recover iPhone

If you've ever searched through online discussions trying to recover deleted Messenger messages iPhone for free, you're definitely not alone. Many iPhone users suddenly discover that important conversations — from precious memories to critical work messages — have disappeared without warning. The panic is real, and the first question is always the same: Is there any way to get them back?

A good news. Yes — even if those messages look permanently gone, there are still several effective ways to retrieve them. Whether your chats disappeared after an iOS update, iCloud sync issues, or an accidental delete, you still have hope.

In this guide, we'll walk you through practical, proven methods that can help you restore deleted Messenger chats safely — all without spending a single dollar. Let's bring those missing conversations back to life.

Part 1: Free Ways to Recover Deleted Messages on iPhone

Before trying advanced tools, it's always a good idea to check free recovery options first. Many users can get their lost chats back by using features built directly into Facebook, iCloud, or their iPhone backups.

1. Check Archived Conversations to Recover Deleted Messenger Messages on iPhone for Free

Sometimes messages aren't actually deleted — they're archived.

Here's how to check:

  • Open the Messenger app.
  • Tap your profile icon.
  • Select Archived Chats.
  • Look for missing conversations and unarchive them if found.
  • choose an archived chat

This works especially well when chats were swiped away or organized accidentally.

2. Recover Messenger Chats via Facebook Data Tool for Free on iPhone

Facebook allows users to download their full account data — including messages.

Steps:

  • Open Facebook → go to Settings & Privacy.
  • Tap Settings → Your Facebook Information.
  • recover deleted Facebook messages from Conversations
  • Choose Download Your Information.
  • Select Messages only (faster).
  • recover deleted Facebook messages from Conversations
  • Request file and download once ready.
  • recover deleted Facebook messages from Conversations

If the messages existed anytime in the past, chances are they will appear in this backup.

3. Restore Deleted Text Messages from iCloud Backup for Free on iPhone

If your Messenger messages were synced at the same time as your iPhone backups, you may recover them by restoring from iCloud.

note icon
Warning:

Restoring your iPhone from an iCloud backup will erase all current data and settings on the device and replace them with the contents of an older backup. This means any messages, photos, app data, or files created after that backup will be permanently removed unless they were separately synced to iCloud. Before proceeding, make sure you have a recent backup available, double-check what data it contains, and ensure your iPhone has a stable Wi-Fi connection and sufficient battery. Interrupting the restore process may lead to data corruption or an incomplete recovery.

Steps:

  • Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  • Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  • Erase All Content and Settings on iPhone
  • Restart your device.
  • Choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
  • Restore messages from iCloud Backup
  • Select a backup created before the messages were deleted.

For many users, this is the easiest way to recover deleted text messages on iPhone without any tools.

4. Use iTunes or Finder Backup to Recover Deleted Messages on iPhone for Free

If you've backed up your iPhone to a computer, this method may bring your chats back.

  • Connect your iPhone to Mac/PC.
  • Open Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows).
  • Select your device.
  • Click Restore Backup.
  • Pick the most relevant backup.
  • Restore messages from iTunes or Finder Backup

Like iCloud, it fully restores old data, which may include Messenger conversations.

Part 2: What If You Don't Have a Backup?

If none of the free methods worked, or if your device has no backup, it means the deleted messages are no longer accessible through regular iOS or Facebook tools.

This is where specialized data recovery software becomes essential — especially when messages were permanently deleted, or when users are trying to recover Messenger messages that were not included in backups.

And among all tools available, one solution stands out.

Part 3: Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone Using Tenorshare UltDatahot icon

When Free Methods Fail — UltData Is Your Best OptionHOT

Most data recovery tools can retrieve photos, videos, contacts, or WhatsApp messages — but very few support Messenger recovery, and even fewer offer a dedicated Messenger recovery window.

Here's how UltData compares:

Messenger Recovery Feature Comparison

Product
Messenger Data Recovery Support
Dedicated Messenger Recovery Window
Recovery Success Rate
Notes
Tenorshare UltData
✅ Supported
✅ Yes (Exclusive Messenger Recovery Window)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Only tool that offers full Messenger recovery, including device scan and backup restore.
PhoneRescue
❌ Not Supported
❌ No
⭐⭐☆☆☆
Does not support Messenger recovery; only restores basic iOS data.
iMyFone D-Back
❌ Not Supported
❌ No
⭐⭐☆☆☆
Only supports limited social app recovery; Messenger is not one of them.
EaseUS MobiSaver
❌ Not Supported
❌ No
⭐⭐☆☆☆
Cannot recover Messenger chats; supports only standard iOS data types.

UltData provides a Messenger-specific recovery module, which dramatically increases accuracy, speed, and the chance of getting your conversations back.

How to Recover Deleted Messenger Messages with UltData Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to recover your lost messages easily:

  • Step 1: Download and Launch Tenorshare UltData

    Install UltData on your Windows or macOS computer and connect your iPhone using a USB cable.

  • Step 2: Choose "Recover Data from iPhone/iPad Recovery"

    This option scans your device directly for deleted data — including Messenger chats.

    choose the recover data from ios devices
  • Step 3: Select "Messenger" as the Target Data Type

    Because UltData offers a dedicated Messenger recovery window, you can scan only Messenger data instead of the entire device. This saves time and increases recovery accuracy.

    hit the scan icon to start scanning
  • Step 4: Start Scanning Your iPhone

    UltData will search for deleted, lost, or hidden Messenger chats. Depending on your data size, this can take a few minutes.

  • Step 5: Preview the Recoverable Messenger Messages

    All recoverable messages — including older, previously deleted ones — will be shown in a preview window. You can view message content, timestamps, and conversation details.

    choose the recover button
  • Step 6: Recover Your Messenger Messages

    Click Recover to Computer or Recover to Device, depending on your needs. Your chats will be restored safely.

That's it — your missing Messenger messages are back.

Part 4: Tips to Prevent Future Message Loss

To avoid losing messages again, keep these best practices in mind:

technique icon
Best Practices:
  • Enable iCloud backups regularly.
  • Turn on Messenger Chat Backup if available in your region.
  • Avoid clearing app data unless necessary.
  • Back up your iPhone via iTunes/Finder monthly.
  • Use third-party cloud backups for important conversations.

A few minutes of prevention can save hours of recovery work later.

Conclusion

Losing important chats can be stressful, but as you can see, there are several effective ways to recover deleted messages on iPhone, including Messenger conversations. Free methods like archived chats, Facebook data download, iCloud, and iTunes backups work well for many users.

But if you don't have a backup — or if the messages were permanently deleted — Tenorshare UltData offers the strongest chance of getting your Messenger data back, thanks to its exclusive Messenger recovery module.

No matter how the messages were lost, you now have a clear path to bring them back and protect them in the future.

Speak Your Mind

Registrer/ Login

then write your review

Speak Your Mind

Leave a Comment

Create your review for Tenorshare articles

Related articles

All topics

Tenorshare UltData

UltData - Best iPhone Data Recovery Tool

Recover Deleted & Lost Data from iOS Devices Easily, No Backup Needed!

UltData: Best iPhone Recovery Tool

Recover Lost iPhone Data without Backup