As long as you back up Mac data regularly with Time Machine, follow these steps to easily recover deleted messages from the Time Machine backup: Step 1. Sign out all iMessage accounts and quit Messages. Press and hold down the Option key and select 'Go' 'Library' from the Finder menu bar. Is it possible to recover deleted text and picture messages with the message+ app? I have seen several posts about recovering deleted messages and every post says that it can only be done if they are backed up with an app such as message+, but none of the threads explain how to recover in such apps.
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Learn how to recover deleted iMessages on Mac using [1]Apple iPhone and iPad devices, [2]Time Machine backup, [3]iCloud backup, and [4]third-party EaseUS messages recovery software for Mac. The four ways are proved to be helpful to recover deleted iMessages. In case that you didn't back up or sync your text messages, the EaseUS software solution is the only chance for deleted message recovery.
Solution Two – Recover Accidentally Deleted WhatsApp Messages from iTunes To recover deleted WhatsApp chat from iTunes backup file, choose one for your phone and click on Start Scan. When the scan is complete, you can click on WhatsApp and all your chats will appear.
'I have accidentally deleted contents of an iMessage on a specific contact on my Mac. And after that, all the messages from the person were gone. Is there any way to recover deleted iMessages on Mac? I really want to get the conversations back!'
iMessage is a free instant messaging service from Apple. Along with text messages, iMessage allows you to send unlimited pictures, videos, contacts, etc. to other Apple users anywhere anytime for free. Have you ever accidentally deleted iMessages? Do you know how to recover deleted messages, especially when those messages record some unforgettable memories? When you deleted iMessage text messages by mistake on your MacBook, iMac or Mini, stay calm. Learn carefully how to recover deleted iMessages on Mac with the below four effective solutions.
Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
---|---|
Method 1. Recover on iPhone/iPad | Generally speaking, for Mac users who use Apple iPhone or iPad at the same time..Full steps |
Method 2. Recover from Time Machine | Sign out all iMessage accounts and quit Messages, open Finder..Full steps |
Method 3. Recover from iCloud | Sign out of iMessage on your Mac and locate the library..Full steps |
Method 4. Recover with Software | Run Mac data recovery software, select the location where messages were deleted..Full steps |
Is It Possible to Recover Deleted iMessages on Mac
Can you bring back a deleted iMessage? To some degree, yes. Apple provides customers with Time Machine, a comprehensive backup solution to macOS operating systems, which you can find it in macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, and other versions as well. As long as you turned on Time Machine backup, you can easily recover everything, including the deleted iMessages, from its backup. Meanwhile, the other data sync solution of iCloud backup is also quite helpful in retrieving lost data across platforms. What if the mishap happens and you didn't have a backup at hand? Then grab the last chance of using iMessage data recovery software to recover deleted messages without a backup.
Next, let's walk you through each guide of how to recover deleted iMessages on Mac one by one.
#1. How to Recover Deleted iMessages on Mac Using iPhone or iPad
- When a text message is deleted, the space that housed the text is marked as “unallocated.” The message data will be there until a new message overwrites the space. To increase the chance that you won’t override the deleted text, hold off on texting. Make sure you have a backup via iCloud.
- Detailed steps to search and recover deleted iPhone text messages on your computer in the macOS Messages app Run Decipher TextMessage on your Mac. Click Preferences, and check Import macOS Messages App Data. Click Preferences again, and check Import macOS Messages Archives (Once on next launch).
Generally speaking, for Mac users who use Apple iPhone or iPad at the same time, the chances of deleted iMessage recovery are greater. Apple users of the macOS system and iOS system are using the same Apple ID, so their received messages and sent messages will show up on every device. When you carelessly lost important messages on Mac, you can try to look for them on an iPhone or iPad.
#2. How to Recover Deleted iMessages on Mac Using Time Machine
As long as you back up Mac data regularly with Time Machine, follow these steps to easily recover deleted messages from the Time Machine backup:
Step 1. Sign out all iMessage accounts and quit Messages.
Step 2. Press and hold down the Option key and select 'Go' > 'Library' from the Finder menu bar.
Step 3. Locate the Library section and click on Messages
Step 4. When the messages folder comes up, locate a file with the ‘chat.db’ name and a date that is before the date the files you are looking for were deleted.
Step 5. Select the file and click Restore.
Note: This method restores the whole iMessage database and will replace the current database with an earlier version.
#3. How to Recover Deleted iMessages on Mac Using iCloud
To recover iMessages from iCloud:
Step 1. Sign out of iMessage on your Mac and quit the app.
Step 2. Open the Finder.
Step 3. Select Go from the Finder menu.
Step 4. Locate your library.
Can Text Messages Be Permanently Deleted
Step 5. Find a file named [messages] from an iCloud backup date that is before the day the files you are looking for is deleted.
Step 6. Open this messages folder.
Step 7. Click restore.
#4. How to Recover Deleted Messages on Mac Using Mac Data Recovery Software
Can you bring back a deleted iMessage when there is no backup at all? First of all, you need to figure out where the deleted iMessages stored.
By navigating to the ~/Library/Messages folder on your Mac, you will see the Archive folder, Attachments folder, and a file named 'chat.db'. The archive folder contains all your past messages that you have closed or saved, the Attachments folder contains the images, videos, audios, and other files that you have sent or received on your Mac via iMessage, and the file 'chat.db' is the database file where all of your messages are stored.
When you delete a conversation from iMessage on your Mac, the content of the chat.db file is changed but the file still exists on your computer. That's why you can't use data recovery software, which can only recover deleted files, not the deleted content of the file, to retrieve data. (Use EaseUS free data recovery software for Mac, and it will be quite helpful if you accidentally deleted the chat.db file on your Mac.)
Follow three simple steps to get back the deleted iMessage database with EaseUS data recovery software:
Step 1. Select the location where your important data & files were deleted and click the 'Scan' button.
Step 2. The software will run both quick scan and deep scan and work hard to find as many deleted files as possible on the selected volume.
Step 3. The scan results will be displayed in the left pane. Just select the file(s) and click the 'Recover Now' button to get them back.
Nov 12, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
You can send messages on Mac via iMessage. And since your Mac is usually synced with your iPhone, when messages are deleted from Mac, the messages also disappear from iPhone.
The recovery of deleted files is always a tricky thing, especially when it comes to messages. If you have important iMessages deleted from Mac and you haven't made a backup, this post will show you how to recover the deleted iMessages on Mac with some smart tricks. Before getting into these tricks, let's look at where iMessages are stored on macOS.
The recovery of deleted files is always a tricky thing, especially when it comes to messages. If you have important iMessages deleted from Mac and you haven't made a backup, this post will show you how to recover the deleted iMessages on Mac with some smart tricks. Before getting into these tricks, let's look at where iMessages are stored on macOS.
Where Are iMessages Stored on Mac
On macOS Sierra and earlier, all iMessages are stored on Mac hard drive by default. Before macOS Sierra in 2016, all iMessages are stored on Mac hard drive by default. However, due to space consumption issues, this feature was altered to suit your preferences.
On macOS High Sierra/Mojave/Catalina, you can decide whether to keep iMessages to your Mac hard disk or just storing them to iCloud. Therefore, if you are using macOS later than Sierra and want to recover iMessages, give a cross-check to ensure that the messages have been saved on your Mac hard drive.
Step 1You can choose where to save your chat history from the Messages app. https://rentalsrenew921.weebly.com/blog/setting-default-apps-mac. Open the Messages app and go to Preferences > General.
Step 2Make sure that the option 'Save history when conversations are closed' is checked.
If you have chosen to save iMessage history, the iMessages are stored in ~/Library/Messages by default. Follow the steps below to find deleted or old iMessages on your Mac.
Note: If you have set a storage limit for your stored messages, Mac will replace your old messages with the new ones once the limit is reached.
How to Recover Deleted iMessages on Mac?
If you want to retrieve your lost conversation threads, the best way is to go to the Messages folder and restore your data. Follow this quick tutorial to get access to your messages folder.
Step 1Open your Finder box and insert the path ~/Library/Messages and press the Go button. This path would take you directly to the messages folder.
Step 2Messages folder contains two subfolders named Attachment, Archive, CloudKitMetaData, and your chat database in the form of chat.db, which contains your iMessages history.
- The attachment folder contains different sub-folders. These sub-folders have images, videos, and audio files that you received in iMessage conversation.
- The archive folder is the mirror image of your data. That works together with other components of the messages folder to store your data.
Step 3Chat.db is the database that keeps a record of your previous and current chat histories. To find the deleted iMessage, you should open the Chat.DB file with programs like TextEdit.
If you can't find the chat.DB files that you need, you can use a reliable third-party program to restore your messages.
Recoverit Data Recovery
Recoverit Data Recovery can recover all kinds of files from macOS, including chat.DB files, images, videos, audio, etc. It doesn't add or modifies your data, but recovers the deleted data in its original form.
Here is what Recoverit Data Recovery can offer.
- One-stop recovery solution for all kinds of data, i.e., pictures, videos, audio files, documents, emails, and many more.
- The smooth and straightforward user interface for quick processing. Just select iMessage storage location and let Recoverit scan out the chat.DB files you need.
- Use of the latest codecs that makes Recoverit compatible with the changing macOS and hardware requirements.
- The high success rate of data retrieval.
- Clean installation that ensures that user security is not compromised.
- Restoration of corrupted data files by deep scanning of your device.
How to Restore Old iMessages from Time Machine?
Time Machine is one of your best options to reverse your data loss. If you have turned on Time Machine backup, it also backs up your messages at regular time intervals.
Let's see how to restore deleted iMessages with the Time Machine tool.
Step 1Close your iMessage app on your device and make sure that it's not running in the background.
(This step is critical for the smooth restoration of deleted messages. Opening your iMessages account during the recovery may interfere with the restoration process.
(This step is critical for the smooth restoration of deleted messages. Opening your iMessages account during the recovery may interfere with the restoration process.
Step 2Open Time Machine tool in your Mac device and choose the 'Go' option in the Finder Toolbox.
Step 3In the library section of your Mac device, find a file with an extension chat.DB created on the date before the iMessages are deleted. This file contains a copy of the deleted iMessages.
Step 4Select the 'Restore' option to initiate the recovery of your messages.
Step 5Time Machine retrieves the saved but older version of your iMessages. You might lose some recent messages that were not backed up by Time Machine. Free mac apps downloads.
Note: Time Machine restores every single message available in its backup. After the restoration of Time Machine messages backup, you might have to spend a few minutes to clean up unwanted conversation threads.
How to View Old iMessages on Mac from iCloud?
If you have back up your iMessages to iCloud, use these straightforward steps to get them back.
Step 1 You must sign out of your iMessages app on the device you are trying to get your messages restored. Furthermore, don't forget to close the Messages app. These steps would help iCloud overwrite the existing data of your Messages app with the older backup version.
Step 2Open your Finder app and select the 'Go' button to access the library of your iCloud.
Step 3Now from your most recent backup, pick up the file named messages.
Step 4Open your messages file and restore backed up iMessage.
Note: You can also reset your iPhone and let iCloud restore data in all of your apps, including iMessages.
Final Words
Loss of important message threads can be a bitter experience for any of us. However, you can use different backup tools to have your data available at the time of need.
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