How to recover deleted text messages (SMS) from an Apple iPhone

The Apple iPhone is unlike most smart phones on the market in that trained experts can successfully recover deleted text messages (and other deleted items), provided certain steps are taken. The below steps will help ensure you have a total recovery of the deleted items you want.

Stop using the iPhone immediately
First, time is everything. If possible, completely stop using the iPhone. Place the iPhone in airplane mode or turn it off. Or you can remove the SIM card if you prefer. The longer you the use the iPhone, the less likely a full or even partial recovery is possible.

Do’s (or Steps to follow to maximize recovery of deleted text messages)

1. Stop using the iPhone immediately.  Turn the iPhone off, place in airplane mode or remove the SIM card.  Yes, I am repeating myself but this is the most important thing you can do.
2. Make a backup of your *iPhone backup directory* (not your iPhone but your existing backup directory on your computer).  Valuable information from a previous backup (which occurs when you upgrade the iPhone OS or specifically request a backup) can contain the information you need.  See my previous post about iPhone backups for more information.
3. Contact an iPhone expert who can perform the recovery.  We use various techniques including:
   1. Forensic imaging and analysis of the iPhone (admissible in court if needed)
   2. Recovery of deleted records in the SMS database if present
   3. Examination of the keyboard cache files for outbound conversations
   4. Recovery of iPhone screenshots which may contain images of the text messages
   5. Full indexed search of the iPhone user data partition using powerful searching tools

Dont’s (or Things to avoid when trying to recover deleted text messages)

1. Avoid using the iPhone, at all.  (do you see a theme here)
2. Don’t sync or backup the iPhone (let the expert take care of this)
3. Don’t install new applications from the App Store
4. Don’t modify/examine the files in your backup directory unless you know how
5. Don’t forgot to call the expert as soon as possible.

Often times, people approach us weeks or months after they text messages have been deleted.  While we are able to sometime make partial recoveries (message fragements), full recovery at that point is nearly impossible.  However, if your text messages are deleted and you follow the steps about immediately, I guarentee full recovery or we’ll provide a 100% refund on the fee we charge.

If you are interested in this topic more, please check out our free iPhone Forensics white paper, contact us at 312-283-0551 or complete the form below.  Good luck and should you need to recover a deleted text message (or other file from the iPhone), we hope to hear from you.

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