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5 Proven Ways to Recover Deleted/Old iMessages on Mac/MacBook

2024-04-02 20:40:06/Posted by Alleny Gavinto iOS Recovery Topic/Follow @ MobiKin

Apple offers a free instant messaging service called iMessage. You may transmit an infinite number of photos, videos, contacts, and other files to other Apple users for free, anywhere, at any time, in addition to text messages, using iMessage. Has an iMessage ever been inadvertently deleted? Do you know how to recover deleted iMessages on Mac, particularly if they contain memories that will never be forgotten? Remain composed if you inadvertently deleted text messages from iMessage on your MacBook, iMac, or Mini. Discover carefully how to restore deleted iMessages on a MacBook by using the five practical methods listed below.

Part 1: Recover Deleted iMessages on Mac in Recently Deleted

Recently deleted folders have appeared in built-in apps on Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Messages is no exception. When you delete iMessages from your device, they are temporarily moved to the Recently Deleted folder, where they stay for 30 days. Therefore, you can see recently deleted messages on Mac within 30 days.

Just carefully follow the steps below to recover deleted messages on Macbook/Mac from Recently Deleted folder:

  • On your Mac, navigate to "Finder" and find "Messages" under "Applications". Or you can enter the Messages app from another path: "Dock" > "Launchpad" > "Messages".
  • Go to the menu bar and select "View" > "Recently Deleted".
  • Find and click "Recover" to recover deleted messages in the file list on the left.
  • Finally, click "Recover Messages" to confirm the deletion.

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Part 2: Retrieve Old iMessages on Mac via TimeMachine

TimeMachine is Apple's automated backup mechanism, which can restore any file to its original format. It works in the background to store several files on your behalf. Time Machine will be a dependable method to recover your deleted or lost messages if they were synchronized with the Mac software.

You can use the TimeMachine to restore deleted iMessages on Mac machine by following these steps. But the premise if that the iMessage you need to recover is included in those backups:

  • First of all, log off of the iMessage app on your Mac.
  • Start the TimeMachine.
  • Locate the Library folder in Finder, which is home to the chat.db database.
  • Look for the databases (.db) and messages files (.ichat) extensions.
  • Select a date prior to the files being deleted and press the "Restore" option.

recover imessages from a time machine backup

Part 3: Recover Deleted iMessages on Mac Using iPhone or iPad

Normally, if you use the same Apple ID to log in on different Apple devices, then congratulations, you will have a great chance to undo deleted text on Macbook. This is because Apple users of macOS and iOS systems use the same Apple ID, messages sent or received on the Macbook will automatically be synced to this device. That is to say, when you accidentally delete important iMessages on Mac, you can still view them on other devices such as iPhone or iPad, as long as you use the same Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad as on your Mac.

But you need to act quickly to make sure your iPhone or iPad isn't synced with your Mac. We recommend that you immediately disconnect your iPhone or iPad from the network once you notice that your iMessages are missing to prevent automatic synchronization. Then find lost messages from iPhone or iPad instantly.

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Part 4: Restore Deleted iMessages on Mac Using iCloud

Another way to recover deleted iMessages from Mac is to use iCloud. But here is a prerequisite for using this method: this recovery method is only available if you enabled the message backup feature in iCloud before deleting the messages from your iPhone or Mac. As long as you turned on the iCloud's message backup feature, you can restore all of your backed-up iMessages from your iCloud account and even copy and paste them to any location you want.

To restore old iMessages from your iCloud account, you can follow the actions below:

  • Visit the iCloud.com on any device, and log into with your Apple ID information.
  • Choose "Message" from the iCloud interface.
  • You can examine your iMessage history here and locate the texts you wish to get returned.
  • Select "Export" from the chat. Depending on your needs, you may either copy and paste the chosen message anywhere you want or download it as a PDF file.

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Part 5: Recover Deleted iMessages on Mac with Doctor for iOS

You can also restore just the messages from the iTunes backup without overwriting the data if you have backed up your iPhone to iTunes beforehand. All you need is MobiKin Doctor for iOS, a professional Mac-based iOS data recovery program. You can retrieve inadvertently erased iPhone files from Mac with the use of this expert and effective data recovery program, including contacts, text messages, call history, images, videos, and more.

With the help of this recovery program, you are able to preview all lost data before confirming recovery, so as to selectively recover partially deleted iMessages on Mac.

Main features of MobiKin Doctor for iOS:

  • Recover deleted iPhone data from iTunes backups on Mac without affecting existing data on the device.
  • Support recovery of lost voice memos, calendar events, contacts, call logs, notes, bookmarks, voice memos, images, and more.
  • The Windows version of Doctor for iOS provides three recovery modes: recover from iOS devices, recover from iTunes backup files, and recover from iCloud.
  • Permit the selection, search, and preview of particular content for recovery.
  • Work with a variety of iDevices, such as the iPhone 15/14/13/12/11/X/8/7/6, iPad, iPod touch, etc.
  • Do not interfere with your privacy in any way.

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How can I use the best iPhone recovery software for Mac to recover deleted iMessages on Mac?

Step 1. On your Mac, start by downloading and installing the tool. Launch it and it will scan the Mac to find all of the iTunes backup files that are stored on this machine. Click "Start Scan" from the bottom right after selecting an iTunes backup file containing your deleted messages.

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Step 2. Choose "Messages" from the left sidebar, and the program will begin a thorough scan. After the scan, you can preview and pick the messages you want get back and then click "Recover" to save them to your computer.

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Conclusion

Did the above five methods help you? Whether you decide to access the Recently Deleted folder, restore from a Time Machine backup, retrieve from iPad/iPhone, restore from iCloud, or use third-party data recovery software, there is a method to suit your needs. In conclusion, no matter which method you take to get old or deleted iMessages back on Mac, always remember to act quickly to increase the success rate of data recovery. Don't forget to back up your iPhone data regularly to prevent future data loss.

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Alleny Gavin
Alleny GavinChief Editor
 
A chief editor at MobiKin, brings over a decade of experience in technical writing and holds a B.A. in English Literature. With a background as a Project Manager in the IT industry, he has authored 1000+ articles on MobiKin.com, offering expert solutions for iOS issues. Gavin, a tech enthusiast, effortlessly recommends software with passion and extensive expertise in smartphones and software.
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