How to Retrieve Old Text Messages from an Old Phone with/without Backup [Android & iPhone]

Have you ever found yourself needing to retrieve old text messages from old phone, either because of important information or sentimental value? Many users find themselves in this situation, especially if their old phone is no longer accessible. Thankfully, there are several ways to recover text messages from old phone for both Android and iPhone users in this guide. Whether you're looking to retrieve messages from a broken phone, a new phone, or even from an old phone number, we've got you covered.

Part 1. Why You May Need to Retrieve Old Text Messages

There are numerous reasons why someone may want to access old text messages:

• Legal or business reasons: You may need to retrieve conversations for legal documentation or business records. (Just in case, here's how to print text messages from Android.)
• Sentimental value: Many of us store cherished memories in text messages with loved ones, and recovering them can bring peace of mind.
• Lost or damaged phone: Accidents happen, and you might need to recover messages from a phone that no longer works.
• Switching phones: Sometimes, old texts are forgotten during the transition from one phone to another.

These common scenarios highlight the importance of regularly backing up your text messages to avoid permanent data loss. But what if you haven't backed up your phone? Don't worry, there are still solutions available.

Part 2. How Far Back Can Text Messages Be Retrieved?

One common question is how far back text messages can be retrieved. The answer depends on several factors:

• Whether you've regularly backed up your phone: If you've been using iCloud, iTunes, or Google Drive, you can recover messages from months or even years ago, depending on the backup frequency.
• The phone's condition: If the phone is still functional, you'll have a much easier time retrieving old messages. However, if it's broken, specialized software like Broken Android Data Extraction may be required.
• Whether data has been overwritten: If old messages have been overwritten by new data, they may be more challenging to recover. It's crucial to avoid using the phone as much as possible after realizing that messages are missing to increase the chances of recovery.

Part 3. How to Retrieve Old Text Messages from an Old Phone Number

Solution 1: Porting Your Old Number

If you've switched to a new phone but want to retain access to messages from your old number, you can contact your carrier to request that your old number be ported to a new SIM card. This allows you to continue receiving messages from your old number on your current phone.

Solution 2: Using VoIP Services

VoIP services like Google Voice can also be used to manage old messages linked to your previous number. This option is particularly useful if you've switched phone carriers but still want access to messages associated with your old number.

Solution 3: Contacting Your Service Provider

If you're trying to recover messages associated with an old phone number, one option is to reach out to your service provider. Many providers retain SMS logs and may be able to help you access old messages. The duration for which text messages are stored by providers varies by company and jurisdiction, but it's worth reaching out to your carrier for assistance.

Solution 4: Using Backup Services

If you had a backup system in place, like Google Drive for Android or iCloud for iPhones, recovering old text messages can be relatively simple. Backup services automatically store a copy of your data, including text messages, that can be restored when needed. Here's how to check if you have a backup:

• For Android: Go to Google Drive and check for any recent backups. If your messages were included in the backup, you can restore them by signing in to your Google account on a new or existing device and following the backup restoration steps.
• For iPhone: Check iCloud backups. Messages are often stored here and can be restored by signing in to your Apple ID, going to Settings > General > Reset, and choosing to restore from an iCloud backup.

Part 4. How to Retrieve Old Text Messages from an iPhone

Solution 1: Recover Messages from Old iPhone Without Backup via Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery

If you haven't backed up your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes, don't worry. Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery is an excellent option to recover text messages directly from your iPhone or from iTunes backups. Also, it lets you preview data before selective recovery and is compatible with the latest iPhone 16/15/14//13 Pro Max/13 Pro/13/13 mini and earlier models with iOS 5 to iOS 18.

Free Download for PC

Here's how to recover text messages from an old phone number on iPhone (video tutorial included):

Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery is widely recommended by users and professionals alike for its ability to recover data without backups. One user shared: "I was skeptical at first, but after using this tool, I was able to recover months' worth of important conversations!"

Solution 2: Get iPhone Text Messages from Old Number from iCloud Backup

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage service, and if you've been using it to back up your iPhone, retrieving your text messages is straightforward.

Here's how you can do it:

1. Open iPhone's Settings > General > Reset.
2. Click Erase All Content and Settings > Erase Now.
3. After erasure, your iPhone will restart. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your iPhone.
4. On the Apps & Data screen, click Restore from iCloud Backup and pick a backup file that contains your messages.
5. Confirm with your Apple ID password.

Solution 3: Access iPhone's Old Phone Number Messages from iTunes Backup

iTunes is another powerful tool for restoring data on iPhones. If you've backed up your iPhone using iTunes, you can retrieve your text messages from iTunes backup.

Here's how:

1. Plug your iPhone into your computer via a USB cable and open the latest version of iTunes.
2. Tap the iPhone icon when it shows in the iTunes window and choose Summary > Restore Backup.
3. Select the latest backup file containing the old phone number messages and hit Restore.

Part 5. How to Retrieve Text Messages from an Old Android Phone

If you still have your old Android phone but are struggling to access it, don't worry. There are ways to retrieve text messages from backup even if the phone is damaged or unresponsive; or you can also get old text messages directly from Android phone without backup.

Solution 1: Recover Messages from Old Android Phone without Backup via Coolmuster Lab.Fone for Android

Coolmuster Lab.Fone for Android is a powerful app to get old phone numbers back on Android devices without backup. It allows you to preview all the deleted and existing text messages before recovery and select the desired SMS to recover from the phone storage to your computer. Moreover, it is user-friendly and works with the latest Android models (Android 4 to Android 14), such as Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra/S22+/S22, Xiaomi MIX Fold 3/Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, etc.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here's how to recover text messages from an old phone number on Android (video tutorial included):

Users praise this app for its flexibility and ease of use. One review states: "I managed to restore all my important messages when I changed phones, and it saved me a ton of hassle. Definitely worth installing before switching devices."

Solution 2: Access Android's Old Phone Number Messages Using Google Drive Backup

Many Android users enable Google Drive backups to save essential data. If you've enabled this feature, your text messages could be part of the backup.

Here's how you can restore messages from Google Drive:

1. Open the Google Drive app on your Android phone > tap the three lines icon at the upper-left corner > select Backups to check whether you have backed up your phone data.
2. Sign in with the same Google account on a new phone and set up the device with the on-screen instructions.
3. Tap Restore when asked to restore the Google backup to Android during setup.
4. Finish the setup procedure and check the messages folder later.

Solution 3: Get Messages from Old Android Phone Using SMS Backup & Restore App

Other Android users may also back up their messages to third-party apps like SMS Backup & Restore. It allows users to back up their text messages and call logs, and restore them as needed.

Here's how it works:

1. Open SMS Backup & Restore on your Android device.
2. Click the three-line icon > Restore.
3. Define where you want to restore messages and turn on Messages. If necessary, click Select Another Backup to pick other backups you want to restore.
4. Confirm the operation and hit Restore at the bottom.
5. If the app asks you to temporarily set up the default messaging app, click OK, select SMS Backup & Restore, and click Set as default.
6. It will start restoring your messages. When completed, tap Close > OK to set the Messages app back as the default messaging app.
7. Launch the Messages app to check the old messages.

Conclusion

Retrieving old text messages from an old phone may seem daunting, but with the right tools and solutions, it's entirely possible. Whether you're using backup services, contacting your provider, or relying on powerful recovery tools like Coolmuster Lab.Fone for Android and Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery, there's a method suited to every scenario. Remember to regularly back up your devices to prevent data loss, and if disaster strikes, stay calm, your messages might not be lost after all.

Related Articles:

2 Ways to Recover Deleted Text Messages from SIM Card on Android Phones

Top 5 Android SMS Recovery Apps You'd Better Know (Tutorials Included)

Ultimate Way to Extract Text Messages from iPhone Backup [Latest Tutorial]

3 Proven Ways to Restore Deleted Contacts on Android Phone Memory & SIM Card