How to Recover Deleted Messages from a Samsung Phone

You’ve just received a message from someone important on your Samsung phone and accidentally flicked it into the trash can. Or maybe you’ve accidentally spilled water all over your device. Whatever the problem, you’ve come to the right place if you want to recover lost messages on your Samsung phone.

This article will tell you everything you need to know.

Recover Deleted Messages on Samsung through Messages’ Recycle Bin

Depending on the model, you might be able to access deleted messages through the built-in trashcan of your default messaging app. However, note that this feature can be turned off. If you’ve disabled this setting at any moment, however, using it is no longer an option.

In addition, the Message Recycle Bin holds your deleted messages for only 30 days. After that period, you’ll have to use other recovery solutions from this article.

But before you rush to do so, check whether your Samsung phone has a trashcan and whether your deleted messages might be there.

1. Open the Messages app on your Samsung phone.
   
2. Click on the three horizontal dots.
   
3. If there’s a “Trash,” click on it.
   
4. Check whether your message is in the trashcan. Long-press it.
   
5. Click “Restore all” at the bottom left.
   

Note: Be careful not to press “Delete all” during the last step, as it’ll permanently delete the selected messages.

Recover Deleted Messages on Samsung with Data Backup

If you have a Samsung account, your data should be regularly backed up on your Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or both. This is one of the safest retrieval options. It doesn’t require third-party apps and won’t potentially expose your information to Malware.

Here’s how to access your backup data and recover the texts on your Samsung phone:

1. Go to the “Settings” app on your Samsung phone.
   
2. Locate “Accounts and backup.”
   
3. Tap “Restore data.”
   
4. Choose the backup from where you want to restore the data.
   
5. Unselect everything but “Messages.”
   
6. Tap “Restore.”
   

Of course, no data will be available for restoring unless you’ve enabled its regular backup. Thus, ensure that you have background backup enabled. Remember that backing up your files over mobile data might result in charges.

Recover Deleted Messages on Samsung with Smart Switch

Another handy built-in Samsung backup option is the Smart Switch app. This application allows you to back up your data on other devices. Even if your Samsung phone is lost for good, you’ll be able to retrieve that valuable data. You can also directly transfer data from one phone to another while both of them are usable.

Before you’re able to retrieve messages with Smart Switch, you need to download the app on both devices you’ll be using. Next, you’ll have to have previously backed up your Smart Switch data.

If the worst happens, here’s how to retrieve deleted messages with Smart Switch using your computer:

1. Connect your Samsung phone by a USB cable to your computer.
   
2. Open Smart Switch on your PC.
   
3. Press “Restore.” The app will find your backed-up data on the computer.
   
4. You’ll see which data is saved on your computer. Find and select “Messages.” Click “Restore.”
   
5. Restoring might take a few minutes, so wait until it finishes. Don’t close the program or disconnect the USB cable.

Now, you should be able to access the messages that you’ve backed up before.

Recover Deleted Messages on Samsung with Phone Carriers

Some mobile carriers offer data recovery, so you might be able to access your deleted messages with their help. This could come with a fee and require a court order, as mobile service providers value their customers’ privacy. But all this still won’t guarantee the recovery of the exact messages you want.

In addition, mobile carriers only store your data for about three to six months. Therefore, messages older than that might not be available at all.

Recover Deleted Messages on Samsung with Third-Party Apps

The last recommended option when it comes to retrieving messages on your Samsung phone is using third-party apps. This should be your last resort as it requires you to root your device and makes it vulnerable.

One of the possible backup apps for older Samsung models is SMS Backup & Restore. You can make XML format file backups on your computer, new phone, or Cloud and access them whenever you want. You can even set up how often you want your data backed up.

DroidKit is another app that provides data backups. It allows you to recover ten different types of data, so it’s not only deleted messages that you can save.

Another popular backup app is SMS Backup+, which saves your messaging data to your Gmail account. You can access your old SMS, MMS, and call logs.

Still, stick to official Samsung apps before you try these options, as they can do more harm than good.

Remove Messages Without Deleting Them

You don’t have to delete your messages and risk losing them forever if you just want to declutter your Samsung Messages app. You can simply archive them and pretend they don’t exist. They’ll be safe and sound in the archive of your messaging app but still accessible.

Here’s how to archive messages on your Samsung through the Messages app:

1. Go to the Messages app on your Samsung phone.
   
2. Press and hold the message thread(s) you wish to archive.
   
3. Tap the little folder icon at the top.
   

Your messages should now be archived and removed from the main messages section. To find the archived messages and bring them back to your main messages screen, do the following:

1. Open Messages on your phone.
   
2. Click the three dots on the search line.
   
3. Tap “Archived.”
   
4. Long-press the messages you wish to unarchive.
   
5. Press the same little folder icon at the top you tapped when archiving the message thread.
   

The unarchived message thread should be visible in the section you see when you open the Messages app.

FAQs

Is there a way to remove messages on Samsung without deleting them?

Yes, you can archive your Samsung messages using the Messages app’s built-in archive feature. Another solution is to back them up with Smart Switch, Samsung Cloud, or other apps that regularly update your data recovery and keep them there until new data overwrites the old one.

Can I retrieve messages from several years ago?

Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to find messages that are several years old. You’d have to have backed them up at some point and still have access to a device or account where the data had been backed up. If you’ve done that, you might be lucky enough to retrieve the messages with some of the solutions above.

No More Lost Messages

Losing important messages or texts from your loved ones can be frustrating. It might’ve been an accidental deletion or an unfortunate event where not only your messages have vanished. Fortunately, if you’ve taken steps to ensure that your data is secure, you can still access your valuable memories with other people.

Have you already tried recovering messages on your Samsung phone? Which retrieval method did you use? Tell us in the comments section below.