Accidentally deleting a message on a mobile phone is something that can easily happen to anyone. Whether this is an individual message or deleting everything by mistake, it is not the end of the world. While many will think their information is lost forever, this is not actually the case and there are ways to recover deleted text messages. The following is a walk through of a few of the methods which can be used to do this.
Requirements
The first thing to understand about recovering deleted text messages is that it generally cannot be done with the phone alone. When a message is deleted it frees up space which can then be used to save other messages and information. However, the original message is not always entirely erased from the device, although there are no specific features on a cell phone which allow for the recovery of this. Generally to access this deleted information the requirements include a combination of PC, deletion recovery software and a SIM card reader which can be connected to the PC to enable the transfer of data.
SIM Card Reader
A SIM card reader is an electrical device into which the removable SIM card from a phone can be fitted such that the data contained on it can be read. They are generally small devices with a slot on one end that a SIM card fits into, and a USB connector on the other which can be plugged into a PC. Inserting the SIM card into the device and then plugging it into a computer enables all details on the card to be read and transferred to the PC. There are a variety of options on the market, and the cost for these can vary. Basic SIM card readers can be found on the market for around $10, although specialist options designed specifically for the recovery of deleted information can cost in excess of $100 and generally come supplied with the data recovery software. An example of this is the Cell Phone Spy manufactured by Brickhouse Security. However, before purchasing the reader the first step is to check if your phone works via a SIM card, as not all phones do these days.
Recovery Software
While the SIM card reader will read the data on the card and is used to transfer it to a PC, it is the recovery software loaded onto the computer which enables the deleted messages to be found and viewed. As mentioned above some readers are sold in combination with the software, although it is also possible to download recovery software direct from the internet. Some of the websites from which this type of software can be found include Free Download Manager and Kioskea. The software basically takes the information transferred from the card reader and displays all the information, enabling the user to find the details of a deleted message and restore these. The reader and software in combination should enable an individual to recover deleted text messages.
Backup Services
For newer smart phone models it is possible these days to download a software application that will backup the text messages on your phone, such that in the event you needed to recover a message that has been deleted this can be easily done. For example, a company called Dexrex offers this service to Blackberry cell phone users. Downloading the Dexrex software to a Blackberry phone means that all messages are backed up in the Dexrex system, and this enables messages to be accessed and recovered if needed. Similar options are available for other smart phone models on the market.
Contact Cell Phone Service Provider
As a last resort, if all else fails, then contacting your cell phone provider may be an option to recover deleted text messages. However privacy laws tend to mean that a court order will likely be required to access the data in this manner, and therefore it is only something to be considered for really important information that you definitely cannot do without.
Accidentally deleting a message is a fairly common occurrence and while it can be frustrating, the message may not be lost forever. There are ways and means to recover deleted text messages, with a few of the options for this shown above. These can be used to try and get a text message back if, and when, you need to do this.