How to Retrieve and Read Old Text Messages on Android

Old text messages deleted from your phone can suddenly become necessary again. Is it possible to read them if they were deleted intentionally or accidentally?

There isn’t a single answer, but there is always a chance (even a small one) to recover text messages. If your device is running Android Oreo, Nougat, or other OS versions, you may be able to retrieve them. Even if full message recovery isn’t possible, some information might be accessible, such as the message text, sender's phone number, date, etc.

A small program, EaseUS Mobisaver, is suitable for this purpose. In the sections below, we’ll dive deeper into how to retrieve old text messages on Android using this app.

Is There a Chance to Restore Messages?

The chances of restoring mobile data directly depend on your device usage. If you’ve downloaded something after deleting the messages or if a lot of time has passed, the probability of recovery decreases.

Universal tip: Minimize file copying on your phone, or better yet, disconnect it until you attempt recovery.

Why EaseUS Mobisaver for Android is a Good Option

There are many programs to read deleted text messages and recover other data available online. In this example, we’ll use EaseUS Mobisaver for Android. It can quickly locate old text messages in your phone’s internal memory.

EaseUS Mobisaver is quite versatile, supporting hundreds of Android smartphone and tablet models, including Samsung, Asus, HTC, Huawei, and others.

For testing, we used a Samsung Galaxy S8 from which messages had been deleted.

Is Root Required to Recover Old Text Messages?

EaseUS Mobisaver can run without root access, but it may not be able to recover all text messages on Android. If the deleted information is particularly important, it’s recommended to install root access.

Enabling superuser access to the file system is straightforward and generally safe. You can read our review of one-click root apps here.

How to Retrieve Old Text Messages on Your Phone via EaseUS Mobisaver

Step 1: Installing and Launching Mobisaver for Android

First, download the Android version of EaseUS Mobisaver on your computer. It’s available for both Windows and Mac OS X, so choose the version that matches your platform.

These instructions use the trial version of Mobisaver, which allows you to test the program. However, it doesn’t save text messages. You’ll be able to view some data in the Mobisaver preview window, so you can confirm the program’s effectiveness before deciding whether to purchase the full version.

After installing the program, connect your phone to your PC via USB cable and run Mobisaver.

Step 2: Scanning Phone Memory for Text Messages

Once Mobisaver detects your phone, it will synchronize the data. The application will notify you when it’s ready to begin scanning for text messages.

To search for deleted messages, click "Start." Android OS will ask whether to grant Mobisaver access to your phone. Click "Yes."

Step 3: Selecting Deleted Data for Recovery on Android

After the scan, deleted user data will appear in Mobisaver’s preview. Mobisaver allows recovery of various types of data, including Android contacts, photos, messages, call history, videos, audio files, and documents. Select "Messages" and click "Next."

In a few moments, a table of text messages will appear (as shown in the screenshot below).

Step 4: Filtering Deleted Messages on Your Phone

Your phone may contain many messages, both old (deleted) and existing. To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, use the filter option "Only display deleted items."

While restoring, you can also select only the specific messages you need. Simply check the boxes next to the messages you want to restore.

Step 5: Saving Text Messages from Android to Your Computer

When the messages are recovered, Mobisaver will offer the option to save them to your computer. To do this, click the "Restore" button.

Choose or create a folder where you’d like to save these old messages for later viewing.

Conclusion

We hope this guide on retrieving old text messages was helpful and that you found what you were looking for.

If you were unable to restore your messages or were not satisfied with the results, please feel free to ask a question or describe the issue via the feedback form.

Or, if you know of a better way to find old text messages on Android, let us know—we’d be glad to share your insights with other readers!