We’ve all been there – you‘re scrolling through your Facebook Messenger chats when you realize a message you need is gone. In a moment of frustration or carelessness, you deleted a message that you now wish you could get back. Unfortunately, once a message is deleted from Messenger, it‘s gone forever.
Or is it?
While Facebook does not provide an official way to retrieve deleted messages, there are some tricks you can try to recover deleted Facebook messages. With a bit of effort and some technical know-how, you may be able to restore lost messages.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore several methods for recovering deleted Facebook Messenger messages, including using third-party apps, accessing your archived messages, and checking your app‘s cache and storage. We‘ll also provide tips to prevent accidental message deletion in the future.
Let‘s dive in!
Contents
How Long Does Facebook Store Deleted Messages?
Before we get into recovery methods, let‘s look at how long deleted messages stick around in Facebook Messenger.
When you delete a message on Messenger, it disappears from your chat window. However, that doesn‘t mean it‘s gone completely.
Facebook stores deleted messages on its servers for a certain period of time. According to official statements, Facebook keeps deleted messages for "up to 90 days."
However, this timeframe isn‘t exact. Facebook also says it reserves the right to delete data "within a reasonable period of time." So a deleted message could disappear from their servers anywhere between a few hours to three months after deletion.
The takeaway is this: The sooner you try to recover a deleted message, the more likely you‘ll be able to retrieve it before it‘s purged from Facebook‘s system. Don‘t wait too long if you want the best chance of getting that message back!
How to Recover Deleted Facebook Messages
Now let‘s discuss your options for rescuing deleted messages. The techniques below have varying degrees of effectiveness, so you may need to try more than one to find success.
Use a Third-Party App
One option is using third-party apps that specialize in recovering deleted messages. For iOS, a popular app is iMyFone D-Back. For Android, apps like EyeZy and FoneTracker can retrieve deleted messages.
These apps work by accessing your device‘s cache and storage to look for message history, even if you‘ve deleted conversations from your chat app. Some apps can also extract chat logs from device backups.
For example, here‘s how the EyeZy app works to recover deleted Facebook messages on Android:
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Install and set up EyeZy on your Android device.
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Grant the necessary permissions such as accessibility services.
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Open Facebook Messenger and log into your account.
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Use Messenger as normal. EyeZy will record your activity in the background.
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Go to the EyeZy dashboard online or in the app and navigate to the Messenger tab.
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You‘ll find your full Messenger activity history including deleted messages.
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Voila! You can now see and recover deleted messages.
Third-party apps provide one of the most effective ways to restore permanently erased messages. Just be sure to choose a reputable app and watch out for spyware.
Access Archived Messages
Did you know Facebook Messenger has an archive feature? Archiving a chat thread removes it from your main messages list, but stores the full history for later access.
Instead of deleting a conversation, you can archive it. Then if you ever need to view the chat again, your messages will be waiting in the archive.
To access archived messages:
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In the Messenger app, tap your profile photo in the top left.
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Tap "Archived Threads" to view your archived chats.
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Tap a thread to open it and view all archived messages.
Archiving threads provides a great way to clear your inbox while still saving important conversations.
Download Your Facebook Data
Facebook allows you to download all the data associated with your account through its "Download Your Information" tool. This extensive archive contains your posts, photos, videos, and messages.
You can use this tool to recover deleted Facebook messages:
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Go to your Facebook Settings.
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Click "Your Facebook Information" in the left menu.
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Select "Download Your Information."
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Choose JSON file format and Medium quality.
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Select date range and data types to download. Ensure you pick "Messages."
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Click "Create File." Facebook will assemble your archive.
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When ready, you‘ll get a notification to download your file.
Search the Messages folder of your download file to find deleted conversations within the time period you specified.
Check App Cache and Storage
If you‘re using Messenger for Android, another place to check for deleted messages is the app‘s cache and data storage on your phone.
To find Messenger‘s stored data:
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Download a file manager app from the Play Store if you don‘t have one.
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Open the file manager and go to your phone‘s internal storage.
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Navigate to the Android > Data folder.
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Find the com.facebook.orca folder. This is Messenger‘s data.
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Open the cache and files folders inside to search for message history.
You may find residual cached data or temp message files in these folders even if you deleted conversations in the app.
Use a Keylogger
This next technique is a bit controversial, but can be effective if done legally and ethically.
Keylogger apps record all keystrokes made on a device, capturing everything the user types. This includes conversations in messaging apps, even if the user deletes the messages later.
By installing a keylogger on your phone with your consent, you can retrospectively view deleted messages by checking the keystroke logs.
However, keyloggers can capture sensitive information. Make sure you fully trust the app and use it responsibly if attempting this method.
And of course, only use a keylogger on your own device or with the explicit consent of the device owner.
Contact Facebook Support
If the above methods don‘t work, you can try reaching out to Facebook support. Describe the situation and ask if they can restore your deleted messages.
However, since Facebook intends deleted messages to be permanent, chances are low support will be able to recover them. Still, it‘s worth a shot in case they‘re able to pull messages from backups.
Prevent Accidental Message Deletion
To avoid this whole headache in the future, take steps to stop important messages from being deleted prematurely:
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Be careful when swiping to delete messages. Double check before confirming deletion.
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Archive threads instead of deleting when possible. Archived messages are easy to retrieve.
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Favorite or star especially important messages. This pins them to the top of your messages list.
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Back up your messaging apps regularly so you have message history stored.
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Turn on chat backup features in your messaging apps.
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Export chat histories from time to time for safekeeping.
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Use a keylogger app to retain a message log (with the owner‘s consent).
Taking preventative measures will reduce the chances you ever need to recover deleted Facebook messages again!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about recovering deleted Facebook messages:
Can you recover messages deleted from both sides of the conversation?
If a message is deleted from both sides of a chat, it becomes much harder to recover. Your best bet is using a third-party app to extract cached copies from each user‘s device storage before the message is purged.
Is it possible to recover deleted Facebook messages from someone else‘s account?
Typically no, you cannot directly recover other people‘s deleted messages. However, a keylogger installed with consent on the other person‘s device could retrospectively capture their deleted messages.
How can I tell if someone deleted messages from our chat history?
You may notice gaps in the conversation timeline or abrupt changes in subject. On iOS, deleted messages show as "This message was deleted" placeholders. On Android, you see empty bubbles instead.
What happens if I delete a message sent as a Facebook Post?
Messages posted on Facebook timelines, groups, or pages act like regular posts. If you delete a posted message, it‘s removed entirely and difficult to recover.
Can law enforcement recover deleted Facebook messages?
Yes, law enforcement has access to tools and processes that can often recover deleted social media messages with a valid warrant. So deleting messages does not make them immune to legal investigation.
Conclusion
While Facebook does not allow users to retrieve deleted Messenger messages themselves, crafty social media users have found ways to resurrect erased chats. Using specialized third-party apps, digging into the app‘s cached files and backups, and utilizing keyloggers can bring deleted messages back from the digital grave under the right circumstances.
Keep in mind that message recovery capabilities are limited. Once a message is permanently deleted from all devices and backups, it‘s likely gone for good. But with some technical know-how and prompt action, recovering recently deleted Facebook messages is possible.
Heed these tips, use the right tools, and don‘t wait too long if you want the best shot at message recovery. And be sure to follow best practices to prevent important conversations from getting accidentally erased in the Messenger app.
With a keylogger app like EyeZy, you‘ll have an extra safeguard to retain message history and protect your important conversations. Give it a try if you want the ability to look back on deleted chats.
Have any other tricks for rescuing deleted Facebook messages? Let us know in the comments!
