You cannot technically recover a deleted message, but you can try to retrieve it with a few workaround techniques. A built-in recovery tool or a few data recovery software returns the most efficient result.
Facebook stores your data for up to 90 days within its server after it is deleted. So, recovering it within this time frame gives a satisfactory result. Otherwise, it might not return the accuracy you’re hoping for.
So, if you are someone looking to restore your old memories, you’ve come to the right place, as I have listed out all the possible ways you can get your old messages back.
How to Retrieve the Deleted Messages
There are many ways to retrieve your deleted messages on Facebook messenger. These methods vary depending on the operating system of your device. However, the guide below gives you a detailed understanding of where these deleted data are stored and how to get them back.
Download Your Information From Facebook
You can retrieve your messages by requesting your information for download from within the Facebook application. It’s the most efficient way to retrieve all your data from a specific date range. This method is common for both android and iOS devices.
Follow the steps below as per your interest:
On Smartphones
- Run the Facebook app.
- Click the three bars on the top right corner of your screen.
- Tap on Settings & Privacy.
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down and select Download your information just below Your Information panel.
- Request a copy of all your required information on Facebook. Make sure to select messages, photos, etc.
- Select a specific date range for your data that is to be retrieved.
- Select the Format and Media quality as well.
- Finally, click on Create File.
On PC
- Open your browser and log in to Facebook.
- Click the arrow button on the top right corner of the window.
- Select Settings & Privacy.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Your Facebook Information from the left panel.
- Click View that’s besides Download your Information.
- Select a date range for your data that is to be retrieved.
- Select the desired Format and Media quality as well.
- Finally, click on Create File.
Download your data after Facebook sends you a notification implying that it is ready to do so. Keep in mind that this copy of your information could take several days to be ready for download. It depends on the time range you previously selected. So, have patience.
Check Facebook’s Cache Files on Your Device
Your Facebook user data is temporarily cached on your device’s system files. You can try to search for your messages here, but there’s a good chance these data, including your messages, have already been discarded from the system to free up space for more frequently used cache files.
The steps below are shown for an android device and a PC. So, you can follow any of these as per your requirement.
On Android
You can check the cache files directly from the file explorer using Android’s built-in recovery tool.
- Open File Manager or My Files on your device.
- Access the internal storage of your device and select Android.
- Click on Data.
- Find and then open com.facebook.orca.
- Open cache.
- If there is a folder named fb_temp here, then the backed-up data can be retrieved through it. If not, then your cache files have already been discarded.
On PC
This method is similar to the one mentioned above. However, you’ll need your android device, a PC, and a USB connector.
- Connect your android phone to your PC using a USB data cable.
- Drag down the notification bar on your phone and set the USB connection type to File Transfer.
- Open your phone’s internal storage disk pocket.
- Select Android.
- Open Data.
- Search for and open com.facebook.orca.
- Open cache.
- If it exists, open the folder fb_temp, then retrieve your data through it. If not, then your cache files have already been deleted.
Make Sure You Haven’t Archived the Chat
Sometimes the data that we think are “deleted” are actually archived. Like a deleted message, an archived one doesn’t appear in your inbox as well.
Archiving generally means storing your data in someplace other than the recent conversation area. It is usually done to clear up your inbox and filter out frequent conversations. If you don’t want to delete a conversation but still want to remove it from your inbox, you can archive it.
This method is to verify if you accidentally archived the data instead of deleting it. Follow the steps as shown below depending on the device you’re currently using:
On Smartphones
- Log in to the Messenger app.
- Tap the profile icon located on the top left corner of the screen.
- Click on Archived chats.
- If you find a conversation that you’d like to unarchive, hold it down and select Unarchive.
On PC
- Open your browser and log in to Facebook.
- Click on the Messenger icon on the top right of your window.
- Click See all in Messenger icon.
- On the Chats panel, tap on the three dots.
- Select Archived chats.
- If you see a chat that you’d like to unarchive, hover over it and click on the three dots.
- Finally, Unarchive chat to return it back to your inbox.
Use Third-Party Recovery Tools
Third-Party apps exist for the sole purpose of giving users extra control over their devices. Some of these applications require your devices to get rooted, but plenty exists that work just as fine. These applications vary depending on the operating system of your device, so use an application that is specifically designed to work on your system. Listed below are some of the best and most popular recovery tools currently available in the market.
For Android
If android’s built-in recovery tool didn’t return a satisfactory output, you could try your luck by trying out other third-party recovery tools as well. All these data recovery software use deterministic algorithms to recover as much data as possible. However, if one doesn’t work, keep in mind that there’s only a slim chance that the other applications will return a more efficient result. Here are a few Android data recovery tools that I recommend:
- FoneLab
- Disk Drill
- Tenorshare UltData for Android Data Recovery
- iCare
- Wondershare Dr. Fone
For iOS
iOS doesn’t have an in-built data recovery software. However, there are plenty of third-party apps designed specifically to work on iOS to retrieve the deleted files. These apps vary depending on whether your device is synced with iCloud and iTunes or not.
So, if you’re an iOS user, the best software applications that I can recommend to you are:
- FoneLab
- Fonepaw
- Disk Drill 4
- iPhone Data Recovery
- Dr. Fone
There are on-screen guides and information to teach you the basics about the application and how to fully utilize its functions. Hopefully, you are able to retrieve the files you’re looking for.
However, on research, its been verified that requesting your information directly through the Facebook application is the most reliable way for you to get the exact data you’re looking for.