Learn 3 Effective Solutions To Restore Text Messages/iMessages From Dead iPhone With or Without Backup!
Overview: Are you looking for solutions to recover text messages from dead iPhone? If “Yes”, then you have landed on the right web-page. In this post, you will learn three working solutions that will help you retrieve text messages from dead iPhone with or without iTunes/iCloud backup.

With the help of iOS Data Recovery Tool, one can:
- Recover text messages/iMessages from dead iPhone.
- Also retrieve photos, videos, contacts, audio, notes, documents and other data from dead iPhone.
- Retrieve data from water damaged, broken, smashed, cracked, won’t turn on iPhone.
- Selectively restore files from iPhone internal memory, iTunes and iCloud.
- Support all models of iPhone including iPhone XS/XS Max/XR/X/8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus/6/6 Plus/6s/6s Plus, etc running on iOS 12/11/10/9 and so on.
- 100% read-only program. Safe, secure and easy to use.
Free Download Trial Version/Buy Now Dead iPhone Text Messages Recovery Software
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Let’s start with real-user practical scenario!
Practical Scenario: A User Want To Recover Texts From Dead iPhone 5
I am in need of retrieving some text from my iPhone 5. I dropped in the sink, worked for a day and went completely dead by night. I have important text messages that I need to retrieve and I am trying to find the best and easiest way to do it. I not have a prepaid andriod. I still have the damaged phone but when I try to find my messages on iCloud as instructed, I can’t see them. Please help me!! I just need my texts for an important situation and my texts will serve as proof.
Source: Apple Community
A dead iPhone is always a serious problem as it not only costs a lot of money but there is also a high risk of losing data. There could be various ways of damaging your iPhone that include dropping it in water, dropping it into floor from enough height or making it dead after an unsuccessful iOS update.
So, now the question arises – Is it possible to extract text messages from dead iPhone?
Well, find out the answer by yourself which is mentioned below!
Also Read: iPhone Text Messages Disappeared? Here How To Retrieve!
Is It Possible To Retrieve Text Messages From A Dead iPhone?
The short answer is “Yes”, you can retrieve text messages from a dead iPhone.
It doesn’t matter what happened to your device, there is still a solutions to recover text messages from a dead iPhone by using the third party iOS Data Recovery software.
Depending upon the level of damage, there are three different solutions for retrieving text messages from dead iPhone with the help of reliable iOS Data Recovery tool. They are as follows:
- Retrieving text messages directly from a dead iPhone.
- Extracting messages of a dead iPhone from iTunes backup.
- Restoring text messages of a dead iPhone from iCloud backup.
So, follow the one that best suits your need from the following solutions.
Also Read: Solved: iCloud Backup Greyed Out On iPhone (iOS 12 Supported)
Solution 1: Directly Recover Text Messages From Dead iPhone Without Backup
It is always suggested that you must keep regular backup of your data, including text messages of your iPhone. So, if you have kept backup messages of your iPhone to iTunes or iCloud backup, then you can easily restore your iPhone text messages from the backup for free. To do so visit the following links:
But now the question arises – How do you recover text messages from the dead iPhone when you don’t have backup either in iTunes or iCloud?
Well, do not worry! Continue reading the post and find out the solution by yourself.
When you don’t have backup, then you have to take help of reliable third-party program that is known as iOS Data Recovery which is an appropriate iPhone Text Message Recovery Software. With the help of this software, you can effectively retrieve text messages from dead iPhone.
This Dead iPhone Data Recovery software not only recovers messages but also extracts photos, videos, audio, contacts, call history, notes, voice memos and more.
The best part about this Dead iPhone Text Message Recovery Tool is that it offers 3 modes of data recovery – (i) directly recover messages from iPhone. (ii) Selectively retrieve messages from iTunes backup. (iii) Selectively extract messages from iCloud backup. The software is available for both ‘Windows’ and ‘Mac’ computer.
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This iOS Data Recovery Tool support all models of iPhone including iPhone XS (Max), XR, X, iPhone 8 (Plus), iPhone 7 (Plus), iPhone 6s (Plus), iPhone SE, iPhone 6 (Plus), iPhone 5/4, etc.
Below follow the complete steps to recover text messages directly from dead iPhone by using iOS Data Recovery software.
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Steps To Recover Text Messages From Dead iPhone Without Backup
Step 1: Connect Dead iPhone To Computer
First download, install and launch iOS Data Recovery on your computer.
Connect your dead iPhone to your computer with the help of USB cable. Then launch iOS Data Recovery and click on “Recover” option. It doesn’t matter whether your iPhone is working or not. Simply do it.
Once the software detects your iOS device, it will display the following windows as shown in the screenshot below.
Tip: Disable automatic iTunes sync before connecting iOS device to computer. Launch iTunes > Preferences > Devices, check “Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically”.
Step 2: Scan Your Dead iPhone To Find Data On It
Click on “Start Scan”. This will start scanning your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to find delete or lost files.
Step 3: Preview And Recover Data From Dead iPhone
Once the scan process gets complete, you can then preview the recoverable files within the preview screen of the software. Select the files that you want back and then click on “Recover” button to save data on your computer or to your device.
Tip: For Recovering Data
By default the recovered data are saved to computer. However, for text messages, iMessages, contacts, notes, when you click on “Recover” button, a dialogue box pop-up asking you to “Recover to Computer” or “Recover to Device“. If you want to save those recovered data on your device then click on “Recover to Device”.
Also Read: [Simple Steps]: How To Backup iPhone XS/XS Max/XR To iTunes
Solution 2: Extract Text Messages Of Dead iPhone From iTunes Backup
If you have iTunes backup of your dead iPhone from which you want to selectively retrieve text messages, then you can use the same iOS Data Recovery software and you can easily restore selected messages from iTunes backup of your dead iPhone.
Below follow the complete steps to selectively retrieve text messages from iTunes backup of dead iPhone by using iOS Data Recovery software.
Steps To Selectively Retrieve Text Messages From Dead iPhone With iTunes Backup
Step 1: Launch The Program And Check For iTunes Backup File
First of all download, install and launch iOS Data Recovery software on your computer and click on “Recover”.
Then select the option “Recover iOS Data”.
Then click on “Recover from iTunes Backup File“. After this the software will detect all the iTunes backup files available on the computer and will display them in the Window. Select the relevant backup file from which you want to restore file. You can select the relevant backup file by seeing the file size and date it has been created.
Step 2: Scan iTunes Backup File
After selecting the relevant iTunes backup file, click on “Start Scan” to begin the scanning process.
Step 3: Preview And Recover Data From iTunes Backup Of Your Dead iPhone
Once, the backup process gets complete. You can now preview the recoverable files. Select the files that you want back and click on “Recover” button.
Tip: What If Your iTunes Backup File Saved In Another Location?
If your iTunes backup file is stored to some other location or it has been moved from another computer with the help of USB drive, how can you scan, preview and get content from it? There is simple way for it. Just click on “Select” that is located under the list of iTunes backup files. Then you can easily browse folder and select the iTunes backup file.
A pop-up box will appear, from there you can browse and select the relevant iTunes backup file. Then click on “Start Scan” and from there simply follow with the step 2. It is a very useful feature.
Also Read: How Can I Restore iPhone Data From an iCloud Backup?
Solution 3: Restore Text Messages Of Dead iPhone From iCloud Backup
If you have iCloud backup of your dead iPhone from which you want to selectively extract text messages, then you can use the same iOS Data Recovery software and you can easily restore selected messages from iCloud backup of your dead iPhone.
Below follow the complete steps to selectively extract text messages from iCloud backup of dead iPhone by using iOS Data Recovery software.
Steps To Extract Text Messages From Dead iPhone With iCloud Backup
Step 1: Select Recovery Mode
Download iOS Data Recovery software on your computer and launch and click on “Recover”. Now connect your dead iPhone to computer with the help of USB/Lightning cable.
Then select the option “Recover iOS Data”.
Then click on “Recover from iCloud Backup Files“. You will get the following windows as it is shown in the screenshot below. Simply log-in to your iCloud account with your iCloud id and password.
Note: This iOS Data Recovery take privacy very seriously. This tool does not take or keep any record of any of your Apple account info or content at any time or while during recovery sessions.
Step 2: Download Data From iCloud Backup File
After you successfully logged in to your iCloud account, the software will display all the iCloud backup files of your account. Select the relevant iCloud backup files from which you want to recover data and then click on “Download” button.
A pop-up window will appear, now select the type of files that you want to download and recover. After that click on “Next” button to scan the iCloud content.
Step 3: Preview And Recover Data From iCloud Backup File Of Your Dead iPhone
Once the scan process gets complete, you can then preview the recoverable files of your iCloud backup file. Select the files that you want to restore and then click on “Recover to Computer” or “Recover to your device” button to save recovered files to your computer or to your device respectively.
Tip: What If You Have Already Downloaded The iCloud Backup Files?
If you already downloaded the iCloud backup file earlier, then you don’t have to sign-in again to your iCloud account. Simply click on “To preview and scan previously downloaded iCloud backup file” that is located under iCloud sign-in account.
Here you can see all the downloaded iCloud Backup files. Select the backup file from which you want to recover data and click on “Scan Downloaded” button. All these download iCloud Backup files are stored on your computer. If you want to delete them completely, then simply click on “trash” icon.
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Conclusion
That’s the 3 solutions to retrieve text messages from dead iPhone. If you happen to drop iPhone into water, on floor from enough height or you broke your iPhone and make it completely dead or accidentally deleted messages on your iPhone and you need to retrieve your messages.
iOS Data Recovery is highly recommended with its user-friendly interface and effective methods of retrieving your text messages. It would be possible to recover all your messages from dead iPhone with or without backup (iTunes/iCloud).

Max Field
Max Field is a founder of recoveriphone-data.com. He is an iOS lover and loves to write tips, tricks, fixes for errors, data recovery solutions and more related to iOS, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iTunes and iCloud.