Have you accidentally deleted important text messages or chat conversations? Whether it’s an SMS, WhatsApp chat, or Messenger conversation, several recovery apps can help restore your deleted messages. While no app can guarantee recovery in every situation, especially if the data has been overwritten, these tools offer the best chance of getting your messages back.
In this guide, we’ll look at the best apps to recover deleted messages on Android and iPhone.
1. SMS Backup & Restore
Platform: Android
SMS Backup & Restore is one of the most trusted apps for backing up and restoring SMS and MMS messages.
Features
- Backup SMS and MMS
- Restore deleted messages from backup
- Automatic scheduled backups
- Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive support
- Easy migration to a new phone
Pros
- Free to use
- Reliable backups
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Cannot recover messages if no backup exists
Best For: Recovering SMS messages from existing backups.
2. Dr.Fone – Data Recovery
Platform: Android & iPhone
Dr.Fone is a professional data recovery solution that helps recover deleted messages, contacts, photos, videos, and more.
Features
- Recover deleted SMS
- Restore WhatsApp messages
- Recover data from damaged devices
- Preview files before recovery
- Supports thousands of devices
Pros
- High recovery success rate
- Supports multiple file types
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Premium software
- Some features require a paid license
Best For: Complete phone data recovery.
3. Tenorshare UltData
Platform: Android & iPhone
UltData is another powerful recovery app that helps recover deleted messages without requiring a backup in many cases.
Features
- SMS recovery
- WhatsApp recovery
- Recover contacts and media
- Scan internal storage
- Preview recoverable data
Pros
- Fast scanning
- Modern interface
- Good recovery performance
Cons
- Full recovery requires payment
Best For: Recovering deleted messages without a recent backup.
4. iMobie PhoneRescue
Platform: Android & iPhone
PhoneRescue is a complete mobile recovery tool designed for both Android and iOS devices.
Features
- Recover deleted SMS
- Restore WhatsApp chats
- Recover contacts
- Recover photos and videos
- iCloud and Google backup recovery
Pros
- Comprehensive recovery options
- Supports many devices
Cons
- Paid software
Best For: Users looking for an all-in-one recovery solution.
5. WAMR
Platform: Android
WAMR does not recover messages from your phone’s storage. Instead, it saves incoming message notifications, allowing you to read messages that were deleted after they were received.
Features
- Recover deleted WhatsApp messages from notifications
- Restore deleted media received via notifications
- Simple setup
- Works in the background
Pros
- Free
- Easy to use
Cons
- Only works after installation
- Cannot recover older deleted chats
Best For: Viewing deleted WhatsApp messages sent after the app is installed.
6. Notification History Log
Platform: Android
This app records notification history so you can review message notifications even after the original messages are deleted.
Features
- Saves notification history
- Supports many messaging apps
- Lightweight
- Easy search
Pros
- Free version available
- Simple interface
Cons
- Cannot restore actual chat databases
Best For: Recovering deleted notification content.
7. EaseUS MobiSaver
Platform: Android & iPhone
EaseUS MobiSaver helps recover deleted messages, photos, contacts, videos, and documents.
Features
- SMS recovery
- WhatsApp recovery
- Recover deleted contacts
- Photo recovery
- Preview before restoring
Pros
- Trusted software
- Supports many phone models
Cons
- Advanced features require the premium version
Best For: Recovering multiple types of deleted data.
8. DiskDigger
Platform: Android
DiskDigger mainly focuses on recovering deleted photos but may recover additional files on rooted devices.
Features
- Recover deleted files
- Deep scanning on rooted phones
- Cloud upload support
Pros
- Simple interface
Cons
- Limited message recovery
- Better suited for photos
Best For: Recovering deleted media files.
Comparison Table
| App | Android | iPhone | SMS Recovery | WhatsApp Recovery | Free Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMS Backup & Restore | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dr.Fone | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| Tenorshare UltData | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| PhoneRescue | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| WAMR | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Notification History Log | ✅ | ❌ | Partial | Partial | ✅ |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Limited |
| DiskDigger | ✅ | ❌ | Limited | ❌ | ✅ |
How to Choose the Best Recovery App
Choose an app based on your needs:
- Recover SMS backups: SMS Backup & Restore
- Recover WhatsApp chats: Dr.Fone or Tenorshare UltData
- Read deleted WhatsApp messages: WAMR
- View deleted notification messages: Notification History Log
- Complete phone recovery: PhoneRescue or EaseUS MobiSaver
Tips for Successful Message Recovery
- Stop using your phone immediately after deleting messages.
- Avoid installing new apps before attempting recovery.
- Keep automatic backups enabled.
- Recover data as soon as possible.
- Use trusted recovery software from reputable developers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can apps recover permanently deleted messages?
Recovery depends on whether the messages have been overwritten and whether a backup exists. No app can guarantee recovery in every situation.
Which app is best for Android?
SMS Backup & Restore is excellent for restoring backed-up SMS, while Dr.Fone and Tenorshare UltData are strong options for broader message recovery.
Which app is best for iPhone?
Dr.Fone, PhoneRescue, EaseUS MobiSaver, and Tenorshare UltData are among the most popular options for iPhone message recovery.
Are message recovery apps safe?
Apps from trusted developers are generally safe when downloaded from official app stores. Always review permissions before installing.
Final Thoughts
The best app for recovering deleted messages depends on the type of messages you want to restore and whether you have a backup. For SMS, SMS Backup & Restore is a reliable choice. For WhatsApp and broader data recovery, Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, and PhoneRescue offer comprehensive features. Apps like WAMR and Notification History Log are useful for viewing deleted messages received after installation.