How to Retrieve Messages from iCloud in 4 Leading Practices

Disa RiveraUpdated by Disa Rivera / July 10, 2025 08:00

Good day! How to recover messages from iCloud? I want to learn how to execute the procedure because I accidentally deleted them while freeing my Apple device's storage space. I badly need to retrieve them. They are about our important work project. Please help me. Thank you in advance!

Messages are the critical data that your Apple devices can contain. They store essential information and attachments from friends, colleagues, and family. Accidentally deleting them is a disaster. If that’s the case, retrieve them immediately! This post will teach you to recover messages from iCloud with its 4 leading ways. Their details are provided below.

Retrieve Deleted Text Messages from iCloud
Guide

Guide List

Part 1. How to Restore Messages from iCloud During Setup

When we buy our iPhone or iPad, we must set them up depending on our preferences and how we would like to use them. The setup procedure allows the restoration of existing data in different ways, such as iCloud. This technique will restore the messages, including the other stored data from the backup.

You might wonder how you can perform this action to retrieve messages from iCloud if your iPhone or iPad is old. You only need to factory reset the Apple devices to reaccess the setup interface. If there is essential data from your iPhone or iPad, you should back it up first. See below for instructions on restoring your messages from iCloud during the setup process.

Step 1Suppose that your iPhone or iPad has not yet been factory reset. Go to the Settings application they offer and see all the customizations you can apply for the mentioned Apple devices. Select the General button on the list and choose the Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad button to continue the procedure.

Step 2At the bottom of the primary screen, select the Erase All Content and Settings button. Enter the Apple ID password or iPhone or iPad and tap the Continue button to start the factory reset.

Tap Continue Button

Step 3Please turn on your iPhone or iPad. After that, the Hello screen will be shown as the start of the setup procedure. Please follow the on-screen instructions for setting up the iPhone or iPad functionalities. Keep customizing until the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen is shown. Please select the From iCloud Backup button. Enter the Apple ID associated with the backup and choose a backup. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore process.

Tap From iCloud Backup Button

Part 2. How to Restore Messages from iCloud Sync Feature

iCloud also has a sync feature that helps restore messages from your iPhone or iPad. This procedure can be completed using the Settings app. See how to do it below.

Open Settings and choose the account name at the top. Then, choose iCloud. After that, select See All or Show All on the screen. Tap Messages and toggle on Use on This iPhone. Finally, tap Sync Now.

Tap Sync Now Button

Part 3. How to Restore Messages from iCloud with iCloud Website

Besides the setup process, iCloud allows you to learn how to recover deleted messages from iCloud with its website. Unlike the previous section, which is limited to some Apple devices, the mentioned website is accessible to all devices that contain a web browser. It only means that it can also be performed on non-Apple devices.

See how to use the iCloud website to restore your messages using the detailed steps below.

Step 1Visit the official website that iCloud offers. Then, click the Sign In button at the center of the main interface. This action will reveal the login interface. Enter your Apple ID email or phone number and the correct password. Then, you will see the supported data of the mentioned cloud-based storage.

Click Sign In Button

Step 2Select the Drive button at the bottom left of the main interface. After that, choose the Recents section at the top left of the screen. This action will show you the recent backups from iCloud. Locate the messages and click the Download button at the top right of the interface.

Choose Recents Button

Part 4. How to Restore Messages from iCloud with FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery

Lastly, FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery can also help you learn how to retrieve text messages from iCloud. This tool can locate and restore the iCloud backups from the earlier to the latest ones. This tool is user-friendly and beneficial for beginners. It also allows you to recover data from iTunes backups and directly from iPhone or iPad.

This tool can also recover other data types, such as reminders, contacts, videos, photos, notes, etc. It lets you see the data preview to be sure about the ones you recover. Do you want to use this tool? See the detailed steps below to learn how to use it.

FoneLab for iOS
FoneLab for iOS

With FoneLab for iOS, you will recover the lost/deleted iPhone data including photos, contacts, videos, files, WhatsApp, Kik, Snapchat, WeChat and more data from your iCloud or iTunes backup or device.

  • Recover photos, videos, contacts, WhatsApp, and more data with ease.
  • Preview data before recovery.
  • iPhone, iPad and iPod touch are available.

Step 1Download the tool by choosing Free Download. Then, set up and launch it afterward.

Click Free Download Button

Step 2Choose iPhone Data Recovery. Select Recover from iCloud at the bottom right to continue. Plug the iPhone or iPad into the computer.

Click Recover From iCloud Button

Step 3Enter your Apple ID credentials to log in. Then, select iCloud Backup and choose the backup you need to restore. Follow the on-screen instructions. Wait for the restore process to end afterward.

Enter Apple ID Credentials

Part 5. FAQs about How to Restore Messages from iCloud

Does iCloud save deleted text messages?

iCloud can save recent text messages but not deleted ones. You can only access the deleted messages from the recent backups where they are included. If not, and the Sync feature is turned on, a deleted message from one Apple device will also be deleted from the others. On the other hand, if your iPhone runs an iOS 16 version, you can check from the Recently Deleted section in the Messages app if the deleted messages exist. You have 30 days to do the recovery before the iPhone deletes them.

Does iCloud keep messages forever?

Unfortunately, no. iCloud does not keep your text messages and attachments forever. It retains the message under certain conditions. The Apple device message will stay longer as long as you don’t delete them. However, its internal storage space might not handle the file size it contains, and you need to delete it. The sad news is that iCloud does not store deleted messages. If you want to preserve the messages from your Apple devices, it is recommended that you back them up regularly.

Why are messages not showing in iCloud?

iCloud requires a strong internet connection to function correctly. If the messages are not showing on your iCloud, you might have a slow internet connection. It hinders the iCloud functionalities from working properly. In addition, if you are trying to access the iCloud messages from other Apple devices, the sync feature it contains might have been disabled. Turning it on will help you access the mentioned data type on different Apple devices that contain the same Apple ID.

In conclusion, learning how to recover text messages from iCloud is easy if the proper techniques are known. The good thing about this post is that it contains the 4 proven and tested practices you can perform. FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery has been posted to give you a smoother experience in retrieving the iCloud messages through restoring. Do you have more questions about the topic? Let us know in the comments. Thank you!

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