How to restore deleted messages

When you delete a text, it is immediately deleted everywhere.

• If you use messages in iCloud, your messages are kept in sync across devices. So, when you delete a text, it is erased forever.
• If you do not use messages in iCloud, then there is a chance that your most recent backup will contain the message.

When you backup to iCloud, only items not already stored in iCloud are backed up. However, if you delete the message and then backup your device, the message is gone forever. (see the related article above).

Once deleted, messages are erased.

If you have a backup that contains the message, and do NOT use messages in iCloud, you can erase your device and restore it using the backup. You'll lose anything new since the backup was made but you'll have your message restored.