Accidentally deleting important messages can be frustrating, especially when they contain vital information. Luckily, if you’ve been backing up your Samsung Galaxy data to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, you can potentially restore your deleted messages—provided the last backup was saved before the messages were deleted.
In this detailed guide, we will show you how to restore your deleted messages from Samsung Cloud and Google Drive on your Samsung Galaxy phone, step-by-step. Whether you’re using Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, we’ve got you covered!
How to Restore Deleted Messages from Samsung Cloud
If you’ve been using Samsung Cloud for backups, retrieving deleted messages is relatively simple, provided that the backup was made before you deleted the messages. Here’s how you can restore your messages from Samsung Cloud:
Step 1: Go to Settings and Tap on “Accounts and Backup”
Start by opening the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy device. Scroll down and select Accounts and backup to access your backup options.
Step 2: Tap on “Restore Data” Under Samsung Cloud
In the Accounts and backup section, tap on Restore data under the Samsung Cloud option. This will let you restore backed-up data, including your messages.
Step 3: Check the Last Backup Time
Before proceeding with the restore, make sure to verify the last backup time. It’s crucial that the backup was made before you deleted the messages you want to recover. If the backup was saved after the messages were deleted, unfortunately, you won’t be able to recover those messages.
Step 4: Tap on Your Device Name
Next, you’ll see a list of devices that are linked to your Samsung Cloud account. Tap on the device name for the phone from which you want to restore data.
Step 5: Select “Messages” and Deselect Other Options
You will see a list of data types you can restore. Make sure to select “Messages” and deselect all other options unless you want to restore other data (like apps, photos, etc.). This ensures that only your messages will be restored.
Step 6: Click “Restore”
After selecting your desired data, tap Restore to begin the process. Your deleted messages will be restored from Samsung Cloud, as long as they were included in the backup.
Once the process is complete, you can open your Samsung Messages app, and your restored messages should appear.
How to Restore Deleted Messages from Google Drive
Unfortunately, Google Drive does not allow direct recovery of individual messages unless you perform a factory reset on your device. This process will erase all data from your phone (including photos, apps, and documents), so it’s crucial to back up your data first to Samsung Cloud to avoid losing anything important.
Here’s how you can restore your messages from Google Drive:
Step 1: Open Settings and Select “Accounts and Backup”
Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy device and tap on Accounts and backup.
Step 2: Tap “Back Up Data” Under Google Drive
Under the Google Drive section, tap Back up data. This will show you details about your last backup to Google Drive, including the last backup time.
Step 3: Check the Last Backup Time
Ensure that the last backup time is before you deleted the messages you want to restore. If the backup occurred after the messages were deleted, you will not be able to restore them.
Step 4: Go Back to Settings and Select “General Management”
Once you’ve confirmed the last backup time, go back to Settings and select General management.
Step 5: Choose “Reset”
In the General management section, tap on Reset to begin the factory reset process.
Step 6: Select “Factory Data Reset”
In the Reset menu, choose Factory data reset. This option will wipe all data from your device, so ensure that you’ve backed up your important files to Samsung Cloud or another cloud service.
Note: You can tap Temporary cloud storage to back up data to Samsung Cloud before proceeding.
Step 7: Confirm the Reset
You’ll be prompted to confirm the reset. Choose Reset and enter your lock screen password or PIN to proceed.
Step 8: Tap “Delete All” to Begin the Reset
After confirming, tap Delete all to begin the factory reset process. This will erase all data from your phone and restore it to its factory settings.
Step 9: Use the Same Google Account to Set Up Your Device
Once the reset is complete, your Samsung device will reboot and prompt you to set it up again. During the setup process, make sure to use the same Google account you used for the backup.
Step 10: Restore from Backup
When prompted, select the option to Restore from backup. Choose Google Drive as your backup source and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your data.
Step 11: Open Google Messages and Check for Restored Messages
After the restore is complete, open the Google Messages app on your phone. Your deleted messages should now be restored, provided they were included in the Google Drive backup.
Important Considerations When Restoring Messages
- Backup Timing: Ensure the backup was made before you deleted the messages. If the backup was made after the messages were deleted, they will not be restored.
- Factory Reset: Restoring from Google Drive requires a factory reset, which will erase all data on your phone. Always back up everything to Samsung Cloud or another service before proceeding with a factory reset.
- Restoring Apps and Data: Restoring from Google Drive will also restore apps and other data, so be prepared for your phone to return to its previous state.
