How to Recover Deleted Messages in macOS 13

Apple introduced a dedicated recovery feature in macOS 13 (Ventura) that allows users to restore accidentally deleted texts and iMessages directly within the Messages app. Deleted conversations are retained in a temporary folder for up to 30 days before being permanently erased. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to locate the Recently Deleted folder and restore your messages on a Mac.

Steps to Recover Recently Deleted Messages

  1. Open Messages: Launch the Messages app on your Mac running macOS 13.
  2. Access Recently Deleted: Click on View in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select Recently Deleted. Alternatively, you can press Control + Command + 2 on your keyboard.
  3. Select the Conversation: A list of conversations deleted within the last 30 days will appear. Click on the conversation you want to restore. The list displays the sender's name or number along with the days remaining until permanent deletion.
  4. Restore the Message: Click the Recover button located in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  5. Confirm Recovery: Click Recover Messages in the pop-up prompt to confirm your choice.

Once recovered, the conversation will reappear in your active Messages list in its original chronological order.

What to Know About Message Recovery

  • Time Limit: Deleted messages remain in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days. In rare cases, macOS may retain them for up to 40 days, but they cannot be recovered through this method once that window expires.
  • Full Threads Only: Recovering a deleted conversation restores all messages within that specific thread rather than individual individual texts.
  • iCloud Sync: If you use Messages in iCloud, restoring a conversation on macOS 13 will also restore it across your other Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID, such as an iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or later.