iPhone data recovery apps are the ideal solution to recovering your lost information when hardware becomes compromised, virus infections occur, or human error is present. With these tools, you can effortlessly reclaim conversations from iMessage and SMS, contacts lists, notes jotting down important details and memories captured via photos and videos. With innovative cameras and more storage, iPhones are becoming increasingly sophisticated devices that preserve our most valued memories of life’s treasured moments. But despite the upgrades, these phones are not indestructible, and data stores may still become corrupted, deleted, or lost.
Apple products have one of the most stringent data protection features among mobile platforms. It is both a good and bad thing for iOS users. iPhone users may recover text and data through backup or third-party software. However, some users may need help to recover text messages when deleted from their iPhone devices. Often, one would need specialized tools or software to do so successfully.
Listed below are the eight best third-party apps to retrieve text messages on iPhone.
- Primo Recovery App for iPhone
- Tenorshare Recovery App for iPhone
- PhoneRescue Recovery App for iPhone
- FoneLab Recovery App for iPhone
- Enigma Recovery Recovery App for iPhone
- ApowerRescue Recovery App for iPhone
- D-Back Recovery App for iPhone
- Dr.Fone for iOS
1. Primo Recovery App for iPhone

Primo iPhone Data Recovery Software is designed to be straightforward to navigate, allowing you not just the ability to recover lost data on your iPhone but also on other iOS devices like iPads and iPods. It also supports an impressive 25 different types of data! With Primo’s various features and easy-to-use interface, recovering lost files has never been easier or more reliable. It is the best data and text message recovery tool if you have multiple devices with the iOS operating system. Primo Recovery is easy to navigate and supports various data recovery modes.
Top Features:
- iOS crash and issue repair
- Data recovery from several iOS devices
- Support for up to 25 kinds of data
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Retrieves Data from iCloud and iTunes Backups
- Allows selective data recovery
Cons:
- It does not recover data from messaging apps like Viber and Snapchat
- You need to purchase the app for data recovery.
The pricing for the Primo Recovery app starts at $39.99 for a Personal license and $59.99 for a family license. It offers a free trial version but can only proceed with data recovery if you purchase a license.
2. Tenorshare Recovery App for iPhone

Utilizing Tenorshare Recovery App for iPhone, you can quickly recover lost data straight from your device without ever having to use a backup. The app offers recovery options via both iTunes and iCloud backups. This incredible product allows you to conveniently find missing contacts, photos, Viber and WhatsApp messages, voice & call histories, and notes. You can accomplish all these feats within 15 different kinds of files. No wonder this revolutionary app is so compelling; it provides users with an effortless way to retrieve their most valued information.
Top Features:
- Free trial available
- Retrieved 15 kinds of files
- Recovers almost everything
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Effortless Solutions for Diagnostics
- Preview your files before they are recovered to ensure everything is as expected.
Cons:
- Very long scan time
- It does not recover all types of data
Pricing for Tenorshare Recovery App for iPhone has a free trial available, but you need to buy the app to proceed with data recovery. Businesses can start with the plan for only $72.95 per year, and individuals need to pay a minimal fee of $55.95 each month!
3. PhoneRescue Recovery App for iPhone

PhoneRescue Recovery App for iPhone is the ultimate way to retrieve deleted text messages on your device. It’s unparalleled amongst its peers – boasting four impressive highlights: full-way data restoring capabilities, world-renowned success rates, fast recovery speeds, and incredibly user-friendly operation steps. Over 5.7 million users have already benefitted from this app regarding data loss issues – because it does excel at what it promises. With its outstanding features, PhoneRescue for iOS is the perfect choice for those who need to recover deleted text messages without a hitch.
Top Features:
- Full-way data restoring capabilities
- World-renowned success rates
- Fast recovery speeds
- User-friendly operation steps
Pros:
- Compatible with all iOS devices
- Highly acclaimed success rates
- Retrieves data from iCloud with ease
Cons:
- Expensive pricing for the app requires you to pay $49.95
- Not all files are supported in recovery modes.
Pricing for the PhoneRescue recovery app starts from $49.95 to get the full version and benefit from all of its features.
4. FoneLab Recovery App for iPhone

FoneLab Recovery App for iPhone is a reliable recovery solution that can help you retrieve deleted text messages, contacts, photos, videos, call logs and more in no time. Thanks to the intuitive user interface and prominently displayed sidebar icons, navigating this software is a breeze. It’s straightforward to recover data from your iPhone quickly and efficiently. FoneLab is best for people who want to gather detailed information about lost data from their iPhones. It recovers data from iTunes and iCloud backups and data of 19 different kinds.
Top Features:
- Straightforward retrieval of lost or deleted data
- Restores iCloud backup functionality
- Provides detailed preview of lost data
Support various iOS devices
Pros:
- Supports the latest iOS versions
- Recovers data and text messages from third-party apps
- Easy to navigate
Cons:
- Limited customer support
- Data recovery only available in paid versions
The price for FoneLab starts at $69.95 per license per year. They also have a free trial, but this comes with limited features.
5. Enigma Recovery App for iPhone

The Enigma data recovery software is an excellent option if you’re looking for an iPhone data recovery tool with straightforward navigation. Boasting many standard data recovery capabilities, the software can rescue lost information from an iPhone, iTunes backup, or even iCloud. Most data can be restored directly to the device, but if you’re looking for photos and videos, these will need to be recovered by either iTunes or iCloud.
Top Features:
- Compatible with all iOS devices
- Exports data into different formats such as PFD ad CSV
- Straightforward data export and restoration
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Available for Windows and Mac
Cons
- Limited data retrieval
- Scanning takes a long time
Pricing for the Enigma Recovery app for iPhone starts at $49.99 for single users and up to $99.99 for a Pro license.
6. ApowerRescue Recovery App for iPhone

If you’re seeking to salvage data from your iPhone, iTunes, or iCloud – ApowerRescue is an outstanding option. It enables the recovery of a wide variety of data formats and permits exporting them in various file types. This powerful software should be on top of your list regarding reliable data retrieval solutions. ApowerRescue is ideal if you need a reliable tool for retrieving lost data from iCloud and iTunes.
Top Features:
- Comprehensive user guide
- Provides a preview of data for recovery
- Intuitive user interface
Pros:
- Easy navigation for data or file
- Straightforward recovery on iPhone
Cons:
- Scan time takes too long
- Cannot repair issues in the system
Pricing for ApowerRescue starts at $39.95. They also have a free trial version, but recovery is not possible.
7. D-Back Recovery App for iPhone

iMyFone D-Back is the ultimate iPhone Data Recovery software, specially designed for iPhones running iOS 9 to iOS 15. With its comprehensive capabilities, this tool can effectively restore data from multiple scenarios, including failed iCloud sync, inaccessible backed-up iCloud data, lost 3rd party apps’ information, or locked/broken devices. Moreover, it can recover any file with different programs’ backups. D-Back Recovery App for iPhone is best for quick data recovery from iOS devices through an iCloud account.
Top Features:
- It has a unique algorithm for an intelligent and powerful recovery
- With 3 data recovery modes
- Allows preview of content for recovery
- Can recover unlimited data
Pros:
- It is beginner-friendly
- The recovery process is fast and reliable
- Supports all iOS devices
Cons:
- No free trial version is available
- Difficult to use for non-technical users
D-Back Recovery App for iPhone price starts at $39.95 for a 1-month plan for 1 iOS device, $49.95 for 1-year 1- iOS device, and a lifetime rate of $69.95 for 5 iOS devices. It also has a free trial version.
8. Dr.Fone for iOS

Dr. Fone is undoubtedly the top choice for iPhone data recovery, aiding its users to quickly restore their missing images, texts, contacts, and more. It’s a great application that swiftly restores your lost files from either iTunes or iCloud backup. This impressive capability is why Dr. Fone has become the go-to solution amongst many iPhone owners today. Dr. Fone is top-rated among iPhone recovery apps for recovering a wide range of file formats.
Top Features:
Recovers data from both iCloud and iTunes backup files
Compatible with all iOS devices, including iPhone 12
Allows preview of content before recovering it
It enables you to recover files such as documents, contacts, notes, and more.
Pros:
- HEIC photo recovery from iCloud
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Some data are not fully recovered
- Recovery of text messages and other data is not possible in the free version.
Pricing for Dr. Fone starts at $59.95 for a 1-year license and up to $139.95 for the Dr. Fone Full Toolkit. They also offer a free trial version, but recovery is not possible.
What are the Pros and Cons of using the iPhone Recovery App?
Using an iPhone recovery app comes with several advantages and drawbacks. Many iPhone users trust their iCloud and iTunes backups in case of accidental data loss, but sometimes, it is not enough. Here are some Pros and Cons of using iPhone recovery apps for retrieving text messages and other essential data from your iOS devices.
Pros:
- The easy and efficient data recovery process – Using an iPhone recovery app simplifies recovering lost data from an iPhone. The process is usually faster than manual data recovery methods.
- Recovers lost data such as photos, videos, messages, contacts, and more. One of the main benefits of using an iPhone recovery app is the ability to recover many data types, including photos, videos, messages, contacts, and more. It is helpful when essential data is lost or accidentally deleted.
- Supports multiple file types and formats – Recovery apps support various file types and formats such as JPEG, PNG, MP4, MP3, and others.
- Recovers data from various devices – iPhone recovery apps can also recover data from other Apple devices such as iPads and iPods.
- Recovers data even if the device is damaged, lost, or stolen. Recovery apps can still recover data from a damaged or lost device, provided a backup is available.
Cons:
- It may not be able to recover all lost data. There may still be some data that cannot be retrieved, particularly if the data was overwritten or the device has suffered significant physical damage.
- Risk of data privacy and security issues – Using an iPhone recovery app also comes with data privacy and security issues. It is particularly true if the app is not from a reputable source or if it requires access to sensitive data.
- The cost of the app may be high – Some iPhone recovery apps are expensive. Some apps may require a subscription or ongoing payments, which can be an added expense over time.
- Some apps may have compatibility issues with the latest iOS versions – The compatibility of iPhone recovery apps can be an issue, particularly with newer iOS versions.
- Some apps may not have a user-friendly interface – Some recovery apps may not have a user-friendly interface, making it challenging to perform the data recovery process.
How long does it take to recover SMS Messages on iPhone?
iPhone and iOS devices allow users to recover SMS messages and conversions that were deleted within the last 30 to 40 days. These messages remain in the deleted items folder until they are permanently deleted. Recovering such messages can take a few minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the file and the amount of data to be recovered. However, updating to the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 and later versions may take longer since the deleted messages are stored in iCloud.
Where do deleted iMessages go?
Deleted iMessages will typically be automatically wiped from Apple’s servers within 30 days after deletion unless backed up to iCloud or another cloud service. If you delete an iMessage before it is backed up, it will be gone forever.
Can I retrieve deleted SMS Messages for free in iPhone?
Yes. You can retrieve deleted SMS messages for free on iPhone as long as they are still within the 30-40 day window of when they were deleted. Beyond this timeframe, you may need to use paid recovery software or service to retrieve your device’s messages and other data.
Is there an iPhone Message Recovery Software that is free?
Yes. Several free iPhone message recovery software are available but have limited functionality. Many top-rated third-party apps to retrieve text messages on iPhone offer free trial versions. It will allow users to gauge its capability to recover messages, lost data, or inaccessible due to defective units. These apps will give a preview of the data that you need to retrieve. However, you must purchase the licensed version or plan to proceed with the retrieval.
Are deleted text messages on iPhone permanently gone?
Yes. Text messages deleted from your iPhone’s “Deleted” folder are gone forever. These messages will not be uploaded to iCloud or any other cloud servers. Messages beyond 30-40 days are automatically deleted from Apple’s servers.
Is it worth it to use iPhone Message Recovery App to retrieve deleted messages?
Yes. Depending on the app, an iPhone message recovery app can help retrieve lost or deleted text messages and other data from your device. However, thoroughly research any third-party apps you plan to download to ensure that it is from a reputable source and does not require access to sensitive data.
Can I recover SMS messages from another iPhone using iPhone Message Recovery App?
Yes, but you will need the other person’s permission. The app will also need access to its iCloud account to retrieve the messages. Some third-party apps also require rooting the device before accessing all files and data for retrieval.
Are SMS Recovery Apps also available for Android?
Yes. Several third-party apps offer SMS recovery for both iPhone and Android devices. You should check the app’s compatibility with your device’s operating system to ensure it will work properly before downloading. Also, consider software with a free trial to ensure you can use the app and get your desired results.
