How to Fix My Text Messages Disappeared on Android

Mobile phones have become essential in our everyday lives, serving both personal and professional purposes. Though Google’s continuing technological advancements make Android phones more user-friendly with each passing day, they are still prone to errors. One issue several users face is that text messages disappear on Android.

Losing important conversations due to this error can cause great frustration. If you face the same issue, you might seek solutions to get your messages back. In this article, you will find ways to retrieve text messages that disappeared and avoid the issue in the future.

Why Did Text Messages Disappear on Android?

Automatic deletion of text messages on Android raises questions that can not be answered confidently. Whenever this happens on someone’s phone, there could be a different reason each time. Here are some of the common causes of text messages disappearing on Android problem:

• Accidental Touch: You might have put the phone in your pocket without locking the screen and deleted the messages due to accidental touch.
• Error or Bug: Improper installation of the app or corrupt cache can create problems for the app, including data deletion.
• Outdated Software: Update the app and operating system to ensure a smooth/smoother user experience. Otherwise, compatibility issues can cause the Google Messages app to malfunction.
• Internal Memory Shortage: The messaging app on your Android phone may start deleting old messages to make room for new ones.
• Configuration Error: Incorrect date and time settings or unintentionally enabling “Delete old messages” could make text messages disappear on your Android phone.

Where Did My Text Messages Go?

When you remove the messages from your Android device manually or automatically, they do not get wiped out from the system. Your mobile phone maintains a folder named “Deleted” or “Replaceable,” which keeps the recently removed files on the drive. All the files remain there until the new data replaces them.

Moreover, depending on the Android phone, the messaging app’s archive folder stores all the recently deleted messages. Unlike other Android brands, which use Google Message by default, Samsung phones have a messaging app developed by the manufacturer. On the Samsung messages application, you will find a trash folder that keeps your deleted messages for 30 days before discarding them permanently.

How Do I Retrieve Text Messages That Disappeared?

Recovering text messages that disappeared on Android involves several techniques. Some of these methods are manufacturer-specific, so they might not be available on your mobile phone. Check out all the solutions given below and choose the one that works best for you:

Method 1) Recover Text Messages From Google Backup

The easiest way to recover deleted text messages is to rely on the backup.  Google Drive allows you to save your essential files on the cloud and retrieve them when transferring them to a new device or even on the phone in case of accidental deletion.

All Android phone owners can create a backup of their apps’ data, contacts, messages, multimedia, and other files on Google’s cloud storage. However, you must select each file type in the Google Drive app for manual or automatic data uploading.

Before starting the procedure, ensure your Google account is linked to your mobile device and Drive backup is enabled for the Google Messages app. Once sure, you must reset the device to restore data, including recently deleted messages.

Method 2) Retrieve Disappeared Text Messages Without Backup

If text messages from one person have disappeared from your Messages app, you may have unknowingly deleted them. Fortunately, you can recover recently deleted messages on Android, but the recovery method may vary by device.

Google Messages app users can check for missing texts in the Archived folder, but Samsung users may need to look for the Trash option. Here are the two techniques to get your messages back on Android:

Check Archived Folder

Step 1) Open the default Messages app on your Android mobile phone.

Step 2) Tap on the Avatar at the top right corner.

Step 3) Locate and tap on the Archived folder.

Step 4) Tap and hold the conversation you want to recover.

Step 5) Select the Unarchive icon at the top.

Explore Trash Folder

Step 1) Launch the local messaging app on your Samsung phone and hit the menu icon.

Step 2) Select the Trash option from the drop-down.

Step 3) Hit Edit to make changes to the folder.

Step 4) Choose the chats you want to get back and hit Restore.

Method 3) Use Third Party Tool To Get Messages Back

Several third-party tools allow you to recover messages that disappear from your Android phone. While looking into the app, you may realize that the sender has deleted the message for both sides or that the text self-destructed after you read it.

Third-party tools are the best solution, as they allow you to retrieve content that has not been saved in the backup. Finding a reliable service can be difficult for some people. Check out the two most widely used tools that enable you to recover selective files without damaging the rest of the data.

1. Dr.Fone – Best Way to Recover Disappeared Text Messages

Dr.Fone is a product of Wondershare, known for providing the best solutions to individuals and large organizations. This tool can even recover text messages from a specific person on Android. Dr.Fone is available for Android and iPhone devices, and you can download its software on your Windows or Mac PC.

Follow the steps to use Dr.Fone to get disappeared text on Android:

Step 1) Get the Dr.Fone Data Recovery program from the website.

Step 2) Navigate to the Data Recovery section under Toolbox.

Step 3) Select the Android operating system tab.

Step 4) Connect your phone to your computer. Ensure you use an original or high-quality wire to avoid any USB connection error.

Step 5) Select the recovery option and check the Message & attachment type.

Let the process complete, and preview the data before restoring it to your phone or computer.

2. iMyFone – Top Rated Data Recovery Tool

When text messages from one person disappear on Android, iMyFone can help you find them. The website offers the ability to download its Android OS-specific software. Whether using a Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, or Google Pixel device, iMyFone D-Back supports phones and tablets running up to Android 15.

Follow the steps to retrieve text messages that disappeared via iMyFone:

Step 1) Download the iMyFone D-Back software from the website.

Step 2) Run it on your computer and choose Recover Phone Data.

Step 3) Link your phone to the PC and follow the on-screen instructions, including enabling USB Debugging.

Step 4) Check the text messages you want and select where you want them to recover.

Method 4) Tips to Fix Text Messages Disappeared on Android

The Text message disappearance issue on Android can occur due to a system error, incompatibility, or someone deleting them by remotely accessing your device. You may get them back by identifying and fixing the root issue. Here is the guide to fix each possible cause:

Restart Device

Not seeing your text messages in the app could be caused by a system glitch. A simple restart closes the problematic applications, clears corrupt temporary data, and refreshes the system processes. Upon restarting your Android phone, missing text messages may return to their place.

Clear App Cache & Force Restart

Issues in the app data can also result in the text messages disappearing on your Android. Clearing the temporary data and forcing the messages application to restart can help you fix this problem.

Follow the steps to clear the app cache and force restart:

Step 1) Go to the Settings and open the Apps section.

Step 2) Search for the Messages app and navigate its Storage section.

Step 3) Tap on Clear Data and then Clear Cache. 

Step 4) Return to the main page of the app settings and then choose Force Stop.

Update the App

Outdated software can create compatibility issues with the system, resulting in erratic behavior, such as frequent crashes or missing features. Moreover, improper installation of apps or operating system updates can lead to issues ranging from minor inconveniences to significant system failures. Downloading the latest app version can resolve the problem of old text messages disappearing.

Follow the steps to update or reinstall the messages app:

Step 1) Open the Play Store on your Android phone.

Step 2) Search for Google Messages by tapping on the text box at the top.

Step 3) Locate and Tap on the app. Then, choose to Update the application.

Update Operating System

Every Android phone receives updates over time to ensure the best user experience. These updates aim to address vulnerabilities that could potentially lead to system malfunction.

Follow the steps to update the Android OS version:

Step 1) Launch the Settings app on your Android mobile phone.

Step 2) Navigate into the About phone section.

Step 3) Tap on the current version name.

Step 4) Hit to download the available update or try to Check for updates.

Check Date & Time

Incorrect date and time settings may lead to different functions not working properly. For instance, you may experience the no-sim issue on your iPhone. On Android, you can face the text messages disappearing. 

Follow the steps to change the date and time on Android:

Step 1) Navigate to Additional Settings in the Settings app on your mobile phone.

Step 2) Tap on the Date and time option.

Step 3) Enable “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically.”

Try Safe Mod

Safe Mode is an Android feature that allows you to run the device with essential system processes. You may use this feature to terminate conflicting programs and functions. 

Follow the steps to troubleshoot Google Messages in Safe Mode:

Step 1) Press the side button until the power menu appears.  Then, tap and hold the Shutdown button. 

Step 2) Click OK when prompted to enter the Safe mode.

Once the device reboots to safe mode, open the Google Messages app to check if the message has returned.

Alternate Messaging App

When you face issues with the local text messaging app, you can rely on third-party options. These chat apps have many benefits. For example, services like WhatsApp run online, allowing you to share text, multimedia, and more without additional cost. 

You can also experience messages disappearing on Messenger and WhatsApp, but with their extensive support, you would never lose data.

Check Message App Settings

Text messages on your Android phone could disappear due to the misconfiguration of the app settings. You may have enabled auto deletion or set limits on text or multimedia messages. 

Follow the steps to fix the message app settings:

Step 1) Get into the messaging app, tap the menu icon, and navigate to Settings.

Step 2) Scroll down and turn off “Delete old messages.”

Avoid Losing Messages in the Future

Following the guide above, you can retrieve the text messages that disappeared on Android. But to secure your messages in the future, you should take these precautions:

• Create a Backup of your Android device data by going into the Google Drive app and enabling auto-uploading for text messages.
• Delete cache and other temporary data cautiously to avoid unintentionally removing important messages.
• Make sure you have the Auto-deletion of old messages disabled in the app settings. 
• Use reliable antivirus software on the Android mobile phone to protect it from malware. 
• Always keep some space in the internal storage to never lose old messages.

Conclusion

The article provides a comprehensive guide to retrieving text messages that disappeared. One suggestion is to use backup to avoid the same issue in the future. However, if you have already lost texts, you can use any of the given solutions. Check out more tutorials to fix the errors you face while using Android operating devices.