How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

Asked by: David Brown, Leeds

Yes they can, so if you’ve been having an affair or doing something dodgy at work, beware! Messages are laid out on the SIM card as data files. When you move messages around or delete them, the data actually stays put. All you’re doing is telling the phone to point at the files in different ways. Deleting a message from the inbox, for instance, just tells the phone not to point to it any more when it’s listing the contents of that folder. Even when you ‘permanently’ clear messages, you’re simply getting the phone to stop listing it in the deleted items folder. You can’t recover such texts on the phone itself, but there are plenty of commercially available software packages you can buy that allow your PC to read data directly from a SIM card. Some of the more advanced tools figure out the file structure on the card, thus allowing those long-hidden deleted messages to be resurrected.


Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.

home_iconCreated with Sketch.

Home > Erase iPhone > Permanently Erase Deleted Messages on iPhone, Unrecoverable!

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

Text messages, or any other data for that matter, are not really deleted from your system after you remove it in the usual manner. The data still remains in the memory that can be easily retrieved using various data recovery software.

Hence, it implies that your private data is still in danger of being hacked or stolen as attackers can easily mine out such deleted messages on iPhone very conveniently from your system. Here you will find many ways to protect your privacy by permanently delete iPhone messages.

Do deleted text messages stay on iPhone?

Yes. Deleted SMS, MMS, and iMessages can be found in your iCloud and iTunes backup files. And can even hide in the Messages app on your computer. So, it's better for you to find a third-party tool to permanently delete iPhone messages.

How do I erase deleted text messages on iPhone?

There are various third-party apps that you can use to permanently erase data from iPhone. However, one of the most utilitarian and versatile apps is the iMyFone Umate Pro . This iMyFone iPhone data eraser is an incredibly easy-to-use and intuitive app that has a number of functions in terms of removing data from iPhone permanently.

Are deleted texts recoverable?

iMyFone Umate Pro allows you to remove data that you have deleted previously by completely overwriting to make it 100% unrecoverable.

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

1,000,000+ Downloads

Key Features:

  • It can erase all types of iPhone messages, including all kinds of text messages and iMessages.
  • It lets you delete text messages permanently from third-party apps such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Kik, Viber, Facebook, Snapchat etc.
  • You can delete the manually deleted messages on iPhone with one click.
  • You can have your private data secure when selling, and recycling or donating your iPhone by erasing your data.

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered
How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

3 Steps on How to Permanently Delete Text Messages on iPhone

Follow the steps mentioned below to erase deleted messages on iPhone using Umate Pro.

Step 1. Launch iMyFone Umate Pro and connect your iPhone to the computer.

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

Step 2. Click on the "Erase Deleted Files" option and click "Scan". The app will start scanning your device for any deleted files on your memory.

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

Step 3. Once the scan is done, all the deleted files will be displayed and you can easily check the deleted messages that you want to erase.

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

Step 4. Click "Erase Now" and type in "delete" to confirm. Then click "Erase Now". Now, you can find all the deleted messages on your iPhone have been erased and you don't have to worry about privacy leaking.

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered
How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

Part 2: 3 Other Ways to Delete iPhone Messages - More Complicated

Apart from the method mentioned above to delete iPhone messages, there are three other ways in which you can easily erase your iPhone data.

1. Sync your iPhone with iTunes or iCloud to Overwrite the Old Backup

Syncing your data with iTunes or iCloud will allow you to create new backups, then the old bakups which contains deleted messageswill overwitten.

1.1. How to sync iPhone with iTunes?

  1. Launch iTunes and connect your iPhone to the computer.
  2. Right at the top on the upper-right corner, you will see the name of your device being displayed. Select your device.
  3. You will now be redirected to another page where you can see the option to back-up your device. Click on "Back Up Now" to create a backup of your iPhone messages. Click "Done".

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

1.2 How to delete text messages from iCloud?

Backing up your iPhone data on iCloud is very simple. All you need to do is go to the Settings app on your phone and then scroll down until you see the "iCloud Backup" option. Enable the option and all your data including your messages will be backed up.

Now, the previously deleted messages have been erased.

2. How to Permanently Delete iPhone Messages from Mac?

If you have deleted messaged from your iPhone, which not means you have erased the every trace of them. The deleted text messages may stored on your Mac's Messages app.

There are few options for you to delete text messages from Mac:

  • Right-click on the individual message you want to delete, then click "Delete".
  • Click on the message you want to delete, then hit the delete key on your keyboard.
  • Click on the message you want to delete, go to "Edit" in the menu bar, the click "Delete".

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

Lastly, if you do not feel that the methods above are effective in your case, you can simply delete the Messages app altogether. You can do so using Spotlight search.

  • Simply drag down anywhere on your Home Screen until a search bar comes up.
  • Type in ‘Messages’.
  • The app will show up and all you need to do is tap and hold the icon and then tap on the ‘x’ icon to delete it.

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

Note: This will prevent you from using the app, but you can however, rest assured that your privacy will be protected.

Conclusion

All the possible solutions have been displayed on this post. And we have already picked the most direct and simple one for you - erase deleted iPhone messages with iMyFone Umate Pro. Download the free trial now to explore its features. iMyFone Umate Pro is reviewed by many well-known media as the most advanced iPhone data eraser.

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered
How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

How do i permanently delete text messages so they can t be recovered

(Click to rate this post)

Generally rated 4.6 (256 participated)

Rated successfully!

You have already rated this article, please do not repeat scoring!

When you delete text messages do they go away forever?

But even if your deleted text messages are off your carrier's server, they may not be gone forever. When you press the delete button on your phone, the data that make up your message don't disappear in an instant. Instead, the code is marked with a sort of tombstone that indicates which data can be overwritten.

Can deleted texts ever be recovered?

If you simply delete a text, they are still available. And there are common forensics tools used by both law enforcement and civil investigators to recover them.