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- Understand SMS recovery: Deleted SMS are marked as deleted, and space is available for new data.
- Use Android data recovery software: Tools like Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, and FonePaw can recover SMS.
- Restore from Google Backup: Ensure SMS backup is enabled and restore after a factory reset.
- Utilize SMS backup apps: Apps like SMS Backup & Restore and SMS Backup+ help create and restore backups.
- Contact your carrier: Mobile carriers might assist in recovering critical deleted SMS.
- Act quickly: Avoid using your phone extensively after deleting messages to prevent data overwriting.
- Regular backups: Regularly back up SMS to prevent future data loss.
In today’s digital age, our smartphones have become the central hub for all our communications, be it through calls, emails, or text messages. SMS (Short Message Service) remains one of the most widely used methods of communication due to its simplicity and reliability. However, it can be quite distressing when important text messages are accidentally deleted.
Losing an SMS can be a significant inconvenience, whether it’s a message containing crucial information, sentimental value, or work-related data. Fortunately, there are ways to restore deleted SMS on Android phones. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various methods to retrieve your lost messages and ensure you never have to worry about losing important texts again.
Understanding SMS Recovery on Android
Before diving into the specific methods of how to restore deleted SMS in Android phone, it’s essential to understand a few key points about SMS recovery. Unlike other types of data, SMS messages do not go to a “trash” or “recycle bin” when deleted.
Instead, they are marked as deleted and the space they occupied is flagged as available for new data. This means that with the right tools and actions, it is possible to recover these messages before new data overwrites them.
Method 1: Using Android Data Recovery Software
One of the most effective ways to restore deleted SMS in Android phone is by using dedicated Android data recovery software. These tools are designed to scan your device’s storage for traces of deleted data and recover them. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use these tools:
Step 1: Choose the Right Software
There are several Android data recovery tools available, such as Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, and FonePaw. Choose one that is reputable and compatible with your Android device.
Step 2: Install and Set Up
Download and install the chosen software on your computer. Once installed, launch the program and connect your Android phone to the computer using a USB cable. Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your phone. You can enable USB debugging by going to Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging.
Step 3: Scan Your Device
Follow the on-screen instructions to allow the software to access your phone. Once connected, select the type of data you want to recover, in this case, SMS messages. Initiate the scanning process, which may take a few minutes depending on the amount of data on your device.
Step 4: Preview and Recover
After the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable messages. Preview the messages to find the ones you need, select them, and click the “Recover” button to save them to your computer.
Method 2: Restoring SMS from Google Backup
If you have enabled Google Backup on your Android phone, you can restore deleted SMS messages from a recent backup. Here’s how to restore deleted SMS in Android phone using Google Backup:
Step 1: Check Your Backup Settings
Ensure that your phone is set to back up SMS messages. Go to Settings > System > Backup. Here, check if “Back up to Google Drive” is enabled and if SMS messages are included in the backup.
Step 2: Perform a Factory Reset
To restore SMS messages from a Google Backup, you will need to perform a factory reset on your phone. Go to Settings > System > Reset > Factory Data Reset. Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete.
Step 3: Restore from Backup
During the initial setup of your phone after the factory reset, you will be prompted to restore data from a Google Backup. Choose the backup that contains your SMS messages and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
Method 3: Using SMS Backup & Restore Apps
Another effective way to safeguard your SMS messages and ensure you can restore them if deleted is by using SMS backup and restore apps. These apps allow you to create regular backups of your SMS messages and restore them when needed. Here’s how to use these apps:
Step 1: Download and Install
Search for a reliable SMS backup and restore app on the Google Play Store. Some popular options include SMS Backup & Restore, SMS Backup+, and Super Backup & Restore. Download and install the app on your phone.
Step 2: Create a Backup
Open the app and follow the prompts to create a backup of your SMS messages. You can usually choose to back up to your phone’s internal storage, an SD card, or cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Step 3: Restore SMS Messages
If you accidentally delete an SMS message, open the app, navigate to the restore option, and select the backup file you want to restore from. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
Method 4: Contacting Your Carrier
In some cases, your mobile carrier may be able to assist in recovering deleted SMS messages. While this method is not always guaranteed, it is worth trying, especially if the deleted messages are critical. Here’s how to approach your carrier for assistance:
Step 1: Contact Customer Support
Reach out to your mobile carrier’s customer support team. Explain the situation and ask if they have any means to recover deleted SMS messages. Be sure to provide any necessary details, such as the date and time the messages were deleted.
Step 2: Follow Their Instructions
If your carrier has the capability to retrieve deleted SMS messages, they will guide you through the necessary steps. This may involve providing account verification information and waiting for the recovery process to be completed.
Step 3: Back Up Your Messages
If your carrier successfully recovers your messages, immediately back them up using one of the previously mentioned methods to prevent future data loss.
Frequent Asked Questions
Here are some of the related questions people also ask:
1. Can I recover deleted SMS messages on my Android phone?
Yes, you can recover deleted SMS messages on your Android phone using methods such as Android data recovery software, restoring from Google Backup, using SMS backup and restore apps, or contacting your mobile carrier for assistance.
2. What is the best software to restore deleted SMS on Android?
Some of the best software options to restore deleted SMS on Android include Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, and FonePaw. These tools are specifically designed to scan your device and recover deleted messages.
3. How do I enable USB debugging on my Android phone?
To enable USB debugging on your Android phone, go to Settings > About Phone > tap on Build Number seven times to enable Developer Options. Then, go to Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging and toggle it on.
4. How can I restore SMS messages from Google Backup?
To restore SMS messages from Google Backup, ensure your phone is backed up to Google Drive, perform a factory reset, and during the initial setup, choose to restore from a Google Backup that includes your SMS messages.
5. Are there apps specifically for backing up SMS messages?
Yes, there are apps specifically for backing up SMS messages, such as SMS Backup & Restore, SMS Backup+, and Super Backup & Restore. These apps allow you to create and restore backups of your SMS messages easily.
6. Can my mobile carrier help me recover deleted SMS messages?
In some cases, your mobile carrier may assist in recovering deleted SMS messages. Contact your carrier’s customer support and inquire if they have the capability to retrieve the deleted messages.
7. What should I do immediately after accidentally deleting an SMS?
Immediately after accidentally deleting an SMS, avoid using your phone extensively to prevent new data from overwriting the deleted messages. Then, use one of the recovery methods mentioned, such as data recovery software or SMS backup apps, to restore the messages.
The Bottom Line
Losing important SMS messages can be a frustrating experience, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can restore deleted SMS in your Android device. Whether you opt for Android data recovery software, Google Backup, SMS backup and restore apps, or seek assistance from your mobile carrier, there are several effective methods available to retrieve your lost messages. It’s also a good practice to regularly back up your SMS messages to avoid such situations in the future.
Remember, the key to successful recovery is to act quickly and avoid using your phone extensively after the messages have been deleted, as new data can overwrite the space previously occupied by the deleted messages. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can restore deleted SMS in Android phone and ensure that your important communications are never permanently lost.