How to See/Recover Deleted Messages on Messenger

Ever deleted a message on Messenger and immediately thought, "Wait… no, no, no! I need that back!"? Maybe it was something important, something funny, or just a message you weren’t ready to let go of yet. Now, you’re stuck wondering, can I get it back? Well, the answer isn’t super straightforward, but don’t worry, we’ve got you. Let’s go through all the tricks on how to see deleted messages on Messenger.

Part 1: Can You Get Deleted Messages Back on Messenger?

Alright, let’s get straight to it; once you delete a message on Messenger, Facebook technically says it’s gone for good. No built-in “restore” button, no magical undo trick. But before you give up hope, there are still a few things you can try.

First, ask yourself:

• Did you archive the chat instead of deleting it? (Happens more often than you think!)
• Did you download your Facebook data before the message disappeared?
• Did you ever get an email notification with the message contents?
• Is the message still on the other person’s chat?

If any of these apply, you might still have a shot at getting the message back!

Part 2: How to See Deleted Messages on Messenger?

So, you’re trying to find a message that magically disappeared from your Messenger chat? If you’re lucky, it might not be deleted; it could just be archived. A lot of people accidentally archive chats instead of deleting them (it happens more than you’d think). Let’s look at some ways to see your deleted messages on Messenger:

1. Check Archived Messages

Archiving messages is a handy way to keep your inbox tidy while still saving those chats for later. Sometimes, though, we might accidentally archive a conversation and then worry it’s lost forever. Let’s see how to find those archived messages:

On the Messenger App (iPhone & Android)

• Open the Messenger app on your phone.
• Tap the search bar at the top.
• Type the name of the person you were chatting with.
• If the chat was archived, it should still appear in the search results, tap to open it.
• If you want to move it back to your main chat list, just send a new message in the conversation.

On the Messenger Website (Desktop)

• Open Facebook Messenger and log in.
• Click the three dots (•••) next to "Chats" on the left.
• Choose "Archived" from the menu.
• Look through the archived chats to find your conversation.
• Click on the chat, and if you want to unarchive it, just send a message.

2. Download Facebook Data

Alright, let’s talk about another way you might be able to recover those messages: by downloading your Facebook data. Facebook keeps a record of a lot of things (probably more than we realize), so if your messages were backed up before they got deleted, they could still be hiding in there.

Here’s what you gotta do:

• Open Menu and go to Settings.
• Scroll down and tap See more in Accounts Center (it’s near the bottom).
• Head to your information and permissions > Download your information.



• Select the Facebook account that had the messages you want to recover, then tap Next. (If you see multiple accounts, like Instagram, make sure you pick the right one!)
• Tap Specific types of information, then select Messages and hit Next.
• Choose where you want to save the file, on your device or directly to Google Drive or Dropbox.
• Set the Date range (the closer you are to the right timeframe, the better), then tap Create files.
• Wait for the notification that your file is ready, then tap Download.



• Open the archive, dig through your messages, and see if the conversation you’re looking for is there.

Will This Actually Work?

Ehh… maybe. If the message was deleted before the last backup, it won’t be there. But if you’re lucky, this could be your way back in!

3. Ask Your Contact to Forward Deleted Messages

If you deleted a message, the simplest way to recover it is to ask the person you were chatting with. If they still have it, they can forward it to you.

But what if they deleted it too? If they haven't backed up their messages, there's not much you can do. You could ask if they recently downloaded their Facebook data, but if they didn't, you might hit a dead end.

4. Recover Deleted Messages on Messenger Android with Cache Files

Okay, so if you're using an Android phone, there’s a tiny chance your deleted messages are still hiding in your phone’s cache files. Think of it like your phone’s junk drawer, sometimes, old stuff lingers there even after you think it’s gone. No promises, but it’s worth a shot!

Here’s what to do:

• Open your File Manager app (if you don’t have one, grab any free file manager from the Play Store).
• Go to Android > Data > com.facebook.orca.
• Find and open the Cache folder.
• Inside, you’ll find a file called fb_temp.
• You can see your recent messages, including the ones you deleted.

5. Check Old Email Notifications

Alright, this one’s a bit of a long shot, but if you had email notifications turned on for Messenger, you might still have copies of some messages in your inbox. Facebook sometimes sends previews of new messages, so even if the actual chat is gone, a piece of it might still be sitting in your email.

Here’s what to do:

• Open your email app (Gmail, Outlook—whatever you use).
• Use the search bar and type "Facebook" or "Messenger" to pull up old notifications.
• Scroll through and see if any emails contain previews of the messages you’re looking for.

Part 3: How to See Someone's Deleted Messages on Messenger

So, you saw a message pop up on Messenger, and before you could read it, “poof,” it was gone. Now you’re left wondering… What did it say? Was it something important? A confession? A typo they panicked over? Whatever the case, the curiosity is real.

When you delete a message, it usually disappears for good. But does that mean you can't see it again? Not really. Here are a few ways you might still be able to dig it up.

1. Check Another Device

If you're logged into Messenger on different devices, like an old phone, tablet, or work computer, check those. Sometimes deleted messages don’t sync quickly, so you might still see them before they're gone for good.

2. Use Messenger Monitoring Software -- FamiGuard Pro

If you want a more advanced tool, FamiGuard Pro can track Messenger chats even after they are deleted. Parents mainly use it to monitor their kids. It logs messages in real-time, so if someone deletes a text, it is still saved in the dashboard.

Here’s how it works:

• It records Messenger conversations as they happen.
• Deleted messages stay in the FamiGuard Pro dashboard.
• You can access them anytime, even if they’re gone from Messenger.

How to See Someone's Deleted Messenger Messages Without Them Knowing

Step 1. Sign up for FamiGuard Pro and choose a purchase plan.

Try It Now View Demo

Step 2. Download and install it on the target phone. Complete necessary configurations.

Step 3. Go to the FamiGuard Pro dashboard on your own device and check others' Messenger messages remotely.

Try It Now View Demo

FAQs About Deleted Messages on Messenger

1. How to Delete Messages on Messenger?

To delete a message for yourself:

• Open Messenger and go to the chat.
• Press and hold the message you want to delete.
• Tap Remove > Unsend for You (this just deletes it from your side).

To delete a message for everyone:

• Press and hold the message.
• Tap Remove > Unsend for Everyone.

2. What Happens When I Delete Messages on Messenger?

It depends on how you delete them:

• Delete for yourself: The message disappears only from your chat. The other person still has it.
• Unsend for everyone: The message is removed from both sides, but a “This message was unsent” notice stays.
• Delete an entire conversation: It’s gone only for you; the other person still has the chat.

Conclusion

Deleting messages on Messenger is easy, but once they’re gone, they’re really gone unless you’ve got a backup or the other person still has them. Whether you’re clearing up clutter or trying to undo a message mishap, knowing how Messenger’s delete and unsend options work can save you from future headaches. Just remember: if someone saw the message before you deleted it… there’s no magic undo button!