7 Methods to Fix iPhone Text Messages/iMessages Disappeared

"All my text messages disappeared from iPhone, iPhone deleted messages by itself after update. How to recover?"


That's annoying! You may find iPhone messages or iMessages randomly disappeared after updating to iOS 12/13 or restart. In some cases, iPhone messages disappeared but still taking up space.


Fortunately, there are methods you can use to fix it and recover missing/disappearing text messages. Check it out now!


iphone text messages imessages disappeared

Why Your iPhone Messages Disappeared

Part 1. Six Ways to Fix Text Messages Disappeared from iPhone

Part 2. Recover Messages Disappeared on iPhone without Backup

Tips. Restore the Whole Backup from iTunes or iCloud

Why Your iPhone Messages Disappeared

Before you dive into solutions, I'd like to briefly introduce why iPhone messages disappeared. So, here are the possible reasons:


Enabled Settings: automatically delete iPhone messages older than 30 days


iCloud server: temporarily iCloud services are not available. (if you've enabled "iCloud message sync" feature, visit and check Apple services status.)


iOS firmware: something went wrong while updating iOS version or restoring from iTunes/iCloud. (It could be the process is interrupted or not finished. Or you selected a wrong backup and restored.)


Wrong Delete: accidentally deleted iPhone messages by mistake


After you know the "Why", it's time to learn how to fix it!



Part 1. Six Ways to Fix Text Messages Disappeared from iPhone

You'll see a couple of effective ways in this section. Just follow the specific steps to fix iPhone text messages and iMessages disappeared from your iPhone.


1. Shut Down and Reboot Your iPhone

Restart device can quit all the apps (including those that are running in the background) and clear some bugs.


For iOS 13, 12, 11: go to Settings, tap General, and Shut Down


Also, you can restart iPhone with buttons as well.


Tip: you also should try turn On Airplay mode and later turn it Off.


2. Try to Force Restart Your iPhone

A Force Restart can do a soft reset to your device but won't delete any file. Below, you can see the steps, which are slightly different according to iPhone models.


force restart your iphones


On iPhone 6s or earlier: Keep pressing the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least 10 seconds. When you see the Apple logo, release both buttons.


On iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Keep pressing the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears. You can release the buttons now.


on iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X and later: Quickly press and release the Volume Up, and then press and release the Volume Download, Lastly, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.


3. Turn Off/On iMessage and MMS Messaging

If your iPhone messages disappeared but still taking up space, tap to turn off the feature and then turn it on later. Let's check how you can do this:


Go to Settings and tap on Messages > find iMessage and MMS Messaging > toggle both OFF > 10 seconds later, turn On again


go to settings to turn off imessage


4. Set to Keep Messages Forever

The above solutions are not working? Check your Message History this time! It's available to set an expiry date for iPhone text messages or iMessages. So, make sure you set "Keep Messages Forever".


Step 1. On iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > scroll down and locate Message History > tap it.


Step 2. Select "Forever" from the 3 options.

select the forever on settings


Besides, this is super useful to prevent text messages from missing on the iPhone device. Because as long as you choose "Forever", iPhone text messages would not disappear after 30 days or 1 year.


That's it! This part shows you effective solutions to text message disappeared iPhone.


5. Update iPhone to the Latest iOS 13/12

Why updating the iOS version can help you solve the iPhone message disappeared issue? The older iOS Software may have bugs and lead to the problem. And updating iOS can get you out of the juggle!


software update to latest ios


Step 1. To do it, you can go: Settings > General > Software Update


Step 2. Tap Download and Install if there's any available update.


6. Factory Reset Your iPhone and Restore from Backup

It's known that factory reset can solve most of the common iOS issues, such as iPhone message disappeared, iPhone notes disappeared, and iPhone contacts disappeared, etc. But it will erase all the content and settings. So, surely you can use it to fix "MMS and iMessage disappearing from iPhone".


(The only thing is, this solution can fix the problem but won't bring back the missing messages. If you need to recover iPhone messages without backup, check the next part.)


Note:

1. before you start, you must make a backup to sync all iPhone data to iTunes or iCloud.

2. If you want to selectively restore data from backup to device, you'll need to install software.


Next, unlock your iPhone and go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings


Wait until the factory reset complete. Usually, it takes 15 - 30 minutes.


Then, let me introduce Fone Toolkit - iOS Backup & Restore. I'm fond of this software because it works perfectly for extracting data from your iTunes and iCloud backup.


And it's awesome that you can use it to preview the backup content! It means that you can check if the disappeared iPhone messages are stored in the iTunes backup file before you take any further steps. Now let's check how to use it.


download on Win    download on Mac


Step 1. Download and install the toolkit on your computer. When you see the modules, click Backup & Restore.


Step 2. Connect your iPhone to PC/Mac with a Lightning cable. Then, click "Restore".


Step 3. On the left, there are 3 options. Select "restore from iTunes backup" or "restore from iCloud backup". Follow the on-screen instructions and then your backup will be listed for you to view and restore.

selectively restore data from itunes or icloud


Step 4. Just preview the content and selectively restore to device.

restore iphone messages to device


download on Win    download on Mac



Part 2. Recover Messages Disappeared on iPhone without Backup

Is it possible to recover missing iPhone Messages without backup? Yes, very likely. A small proportion of users did it!


FoneCope iPhone Data Recovery is amazing and can scan your device to find all the missing text messages. In addition, it also can fix OS system issues that could lead to iPhone message disappeared randomly.


Hence, give priority to this method if you did not back up but still want to get back text messages disappeared on your iPhone.


download on Win    download on Mac

Step 1. Download and launch iPhone data recovery on computer. Later, use a lightning cable to connect iPhone to PC. Click on "Recover from iOS Device" and then "Next".


Step 2. Select the message and hit "Scan".


Step 3. Click on "Show all" and change it to only show the "Deleted" files.

select disappeared messages and imessages to restore

Step 4. Select the deleted text messages and iMessages and then click "Recover".


Moreover, click the "Fix iOS System" and follow the steps to troubleshoot the bugs.


download on Win    download on Mac


Bonus Tips: Also, FoneCope iPhone Data Recovery can extract data from your previous backup from iTunes and iCloud.



Tips. Restore the Whole Backup from iTunes or iCloud

Do you regret erasing your iPhone (factory reset) and don't want to use any software? You can put it back to the old status by restoring the whole iTunes/iCloud backup.


Way 1. Restore backup from iTunes

Step 1. First, you need to launch iTunes computer and then use a lighting cable to connect iPhone to computer. In most cases, iTunes will recognize your iPhone. (But sometimes you have to select it manually). Then, locate "Summary".

restore disappeared text messages from iTunes


Step 2. After that, click on "Restore Backup" and you choose the most appropriate iTunes backup. Next, click "Restore".


Step 3. Lastly, wait a few minutes. What's more, it is necessary to guarantee your iPhone is connected to computer during the whole process. So, don't touch it until everything is done!


Don't forget to check whether missing text messages are got back when iPhone restarts.


Way 2. Restore backup from iCloud

Note: you'll need to provide your Apple ID if Find My iPhone is enabled.


Step 1. After you reset iPhone, select "Restore from iCloud Backup" while you reach the "Set up your iPhone" screen.


reset iphone and restore backup from icloud


Step 2. Later, select the most relevant iCloud Backup and wait a few seconds for restoring.


restoring from icloud


Plus, you also can download iCloud backup to computer and extract data.



The Bottom Line

As you can see, apparently, it's not a difficult task to fix iPhone messages disappeared error and recover the missing text messages. Just follow the 8 effective methods in this post.


Lastly, if this article helps you, I'll very grateful if you would leave a comment right below and let me know. We value your voice, and it keeps helping us provide better content and service.


Last Updated: October 23, 2019

Author: Daniel Lee  /     

Editor of FoneCope, does great in fixing Android and Apple device related problems, writing technical tips step by step.


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