How to Recover Deleted Messages on Messenger? | 3 Methods to Recover Deleted FB Messages

Sometimes we accidentally end up deleting important Facebook messages while cleaning up the clutter in our inbox. However, it’s a good thing that Facebook allows restoring deleted messages. 

In case you are also stuck in a similar situation, we bring you the easiest and most authentic way to restore deleted Facebook messages.

Navigate through the article to learn how to recover deleted messages on Messenger. That being said, let’s start with checking the archived chats.

Method 1: Download Your Facebook Data

Facebook servers store the messages and other data related to the user. Hence, it provides the option to download user data. All you have to do is request a copy of your Facebook data, and it will be delivered to your device, Google Drive, or Dropbox, whatever you choose. 

Follow the steps below to download a copy of your data on Facebook. 

1. Tap on the hamburger menu (≡).

   

2. Click on the Settings and Privacy button, followed by Settings.

   

3. Scroll down to, ‘See more in Accounts Center.’

   

4. Then, navigate to Your information and permission >> Download your information. 

   

   

5. Choose from the ‘Current Activity’ or ‘Schedule’.

   

6. Proceed with the Download or transfer information option.

   

7. Click on the arrow adjacent to the ‘Specific types of information’ option.

   

8. Under Your Facebook Activity, select the information you want to download for this profile. You can save and choose from various Facebook activities, like saved items and collections, voting, messages, or your posts. Then hit Next.

   

9. Pick a location to Save the message – ‘Download to device’ or ‘Transfer to destination’ followed by Next. If your phone’s storage is low, you can save the downloaded FB files on Google Drive or Dropbox. 

   

10. Select the Data range, proceed with the Save button, and tap Create files.

    

    

11. You will be notified when the file is ready for download. After getting notified, hit Downloads to retrieve deleted messages on your phone.

Method 2: Ask your Contact

If you have deleted a conversation, it is deleted on your end only. The conversation remains intact with your contact or Facebook friends. So, ask the other person to send the messages back. In addition, you can ask for a screenshot as well, whichever works for you. 

Method 3: Archived Chats 

At times, instead of deleting a message, we move it to the archives folder and then forget about it. Facebook keeps those archived chats saved, and such messages can be read later. Here’s how to check messages in the archived chat folder:

On Android Devices

1. On your Android phone, launch the Messenger app. 

2. Click on the hamburger menu in the top left corner.

   

3. Choose the Archive option to open messages saved there.

   

4. Lastly, open the conversation to access the chats.

   

On iOS Devices

1. Open the Messenger app.

2. Click on the hamburger icon, i.e., three horizontal lines at the top.

   

3. Opt for the Archives option.

   

4. Long-press the chat from the lists to retrieve it, and tap Unarchive.

   

On Browser

We have provided you the steps for how to recover deleted messages on Messenger, but if you use Messenger on a desktop, here’s how to proceed:

1. Open the Facebook Messenger website and log in to your Facebook account.

   

2. Click on Chats, and then select Archive.

   

3. Lastly, open the conversation you want to check. 

   

Conclusion

We have provided you with all the possible options and workarounds available for recovering deleted messages on Messenger. Most often, we mistakenly end up deleting data that was meant to be kept. 

To avoid situations like this, we recommend you keep a backup of your Facebook data. It will save you from a panic situation and safeguard all data you post on Facebook, including messages.