Accidentally deleting important text messages on your Samsung Galaxy S21, S22, or S23 can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, Samsung Messages and Google Messages offer built-in ways to recover deleted messages, as long as you act quickly. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted a conversation or archived it for later, there are options to restore your messages from the Recycle Bin or Archived folder. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to recover deleted text messages from your Samsung Galaxy phone.
How to Restore Deleted Messages on Samsung Galaxy Phones
Option 1: Restore Messages from Samsung Messages Recycle Bin
If you use Samsung Messages as your default messaging app, it automatically stores deleted messages in the Recycle Bin for 30 days before they are permanently erased. This makes it easy to recover deleted messages within this time frame. Here’s how to restore them:
Step 1: Open Samsung Messages
Start by opening the Samsung Messages app on your device. Tap the app icon on your home screen or app drawer.
Step 2: Access the Recycle Bin
Once you’re in the Samsung Messages app, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen to open the menu. From the menu, select Recycle bin. This will show you all the messages that have been deleted within the last 30 days.
Step 3: Restore Deleted Messages
In the Recycle Bin, you’ll see a list of deleted messages. To recover them:
- Tap and hold on the message(s) you want to restore.
- Tap Restore all to restore all deleted messages, or select specific conversations to restore.
After restoring, the messages will reappear in your main messaging inbox, and you can continue your conversations as usual.
Option 2: Restore Messages from Google Messages Archive
If you use Google Messages as your default messaging app, deleted messages may be archived instead of deleted, making them easier to recover. If you’ve accidentally archived a conversation, you can restore it from the Archived folder.
Step 1: Open Google Messages
Open the Google Messages app on your Samsung device. If it’s not your default messaging app, you can download it from the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Access the Archived Folder
Once you’ve opened Google Messages, tap on the profile icon in the top-right corner. From the drop-down menu, select Archived. Here, you’ll see all the conversations you’ve archived, rather than deleted.
Step 3: Unarchive Messages
To restore a conversation from the archive:
- Tap and hold the conversation you want to restore.
- Tap the unarchive icon (a box with an upward arrow) to move the conversation back to your main inbox.
Once unarchived, your messages will reappear in your regular inbox, ready to be accessed.
Option 3: Restore Deleted Messages from Cloud Storage
If the messages are not in the Recycle Bin or Archived folder, and you’ve been using a cloud backup service, such as Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, you may be able to restore them from your cloud storage. Here’s how:
Samsung Cloud Backup
If you’ve backed up your messages using Samsung Cloud, you can restore them as part of a full device restore.
- Go to Settings on your Samsung device.
- Tap Accounts and backup, then select Restore data.
- Choose Samsung Cloud and select the messages you want to restore.
- Tap Restore to begin the process.
Google Drive Backup
If you have a Google Drive backup of your Google Messages, follow these steps to restore your messages:
- Go to Settings on your Samsung device.
- Tap Accounts and backup, then select Backup and restore.
- Choose Google Drive and restore your Messages data from the last backup.
Please note that restoring from a cloud backup will replace current data with the version from your last backup, which may overwrite newer messages.
Important Notes on Message Recovery
- Timely Action: You have 30 days to restore messages from the Samsung Messages Recycle Bin. After this period, the messages will be permanently deleted.
- Archive vs. Delete: If you accidentally archived a message, it is still technically saved. If you deleted the message, it will be placed in the Recycle Bin or permanently erased if it’s past the 30-day window.
- Cloud Backup: Cloud backup solutions like Samsung Cloud or Google Drive can help you recover lost messages, but they require an active backup to work. Ensure you regularly back up your messages to prevent loss.
