Text message threads disappearing

I just received a new iPhone 12 mini the other day. I imported my texts from my android. I have a couple of imessage threads that keep disappearing. Not all my threads, just two. Why would that happen and how do I fix it?


iPhone 12 mini, iOS 15

Posted on Oct 2, 2022 03:58 PM

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Posted on Oct 4, 2022 02:11 PM

I updated to 16.0.2. Checked my messages and the thread for the same two contacts are blank. I can swipe up in the thread and they will show back up again so they have not been deleted but every time I open the thread for the same two contacts, the thread is blank. I can still text them, but when I close the thread and come back to it again, it is blank. This is not happening on any of my other threads! I just don't get it.

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Oct 4, 2022 02:11 PM in response to MichaelB2019

I updated to 16.0.2. Checked my messages and the thread for the same two contacts are blank. I can swipe up in the thread and they will show back up again so they have not been deleted but every time I open the thread for the same two contacts, the thread is blank. I can still text them, but when I close the thread and come back to it again, it is blank. This is not happening on any of my other threads! I just don't get it.

Oct 4, 2022 08:51 AM in response to catwoman1704

Hey catwoman1704,


Have you checked to make sure you have plenty of storage available on your iPhone? That may contribute to issues like this. You can do this in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. 


If you haven’t already, restart your iPhone. This could also help. Here’s how you restart:


1. Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device.
3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.


Restart your iPhone - Apple Support


Go to Settings > Messages and look for Keep Messages. Is that set to Forever or something else? This could also help identify the issue. 


Take care.

Oct 4, 2022 10:52 AM in response to catwoman1704

catwoman1704,


Thanks for getting back to us.


Have you updated to 16.0.2 yet? We'd recommend being on the latest iOS to rule this out as being related.


Do you use Messages in iCloud? This setting is in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages. Once enabled, this will sync your Messages everywhere you are signed in. If you have another device signed in, could you Messages have been deleted there? This would delete them on your iPhone.


You can read more about the feature here: Use Messages in iCloud.


If that doesn't explain the issue, please reach out to Apple Support for a deeper dive.


Have a fantastic day!


Oct 4, 2022 10:39 AM in response to barberlives123

I turned my phone off and waited about 15 seconds, turned it back on and check my settings to make sure it was still set to send and receive imessages and they are set to keep messages Forever. Some of my texts are still disappearing. Not with all my contacts, only specific contacts. I don't understand why texts between me and only a couple of my contacts would disappear from the screen. It still shows my contact in messages, and it shows the balloon bubble with the three dots looking like they are sending a text, but there are no texts there. If I swipe up where the text thread should be, they will show up, but as soon as I close that thread and go back to it, they are gone again.

It is making me wish I had not gone from Android back to IPhone.


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Text message threads disappearing

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