How do I restore deleted incoming messages?

Greetings carpenterblues, 

Let’s go over some details on unsending a message and retrieving deleted messages. 

We’re talking specifically about the Messages app, the built-in messaging app on your iPhone where you send and receive SMS and iMessages. 

You referenced the ability to undo sending. Here are some details on how hat works Unsend and edit messages on iPhone. If someone has unsent a message (which can only be done for up to two minutes after sending it) there is not a way for a recipient’s device to retain or restore that message if the device was running iOS 16 or later. Here’s more - 

Unsend a message

You can undo a recently sent message for up to two minutes after sending it.

Touch and hold the message bubble, then tap Undo Send.

A note confirming that you unsent the message appears in both conversation transcripts: yours and your recipient’s.

If the person you’re messaging is using a device with iOS 16 or later, iPadOS 16 or later, or macOS Ventura, unsending removes the message from their device.

If the person you’re messaging is using a device with iOS 15.6 or earlier, iPadOS 15.6 or earlier, macOS 12 or earlier, or is using SMS, the original message remains in the conversation. When you unsend a message, you’re notified that the recipient may still see the original message in the message transcript.

When we’re talking about deleted messages or conversations, let’s reference this article - Delete and recover messages on your iPhone or iPad

Retrieve a deleted message or conversation

1. In Messages, tap Edit.

2. Tap Show Recently Deleted.

3. Choose the conversations with the messages you want to restore, then tap Recover.

4. Tap Recover Message or Recover [Number] Messages.

You need iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, or later to recover deleted messages and conversations. You can only recover messages and conversations that you deleted within the last 30 to 40 days.

Thanks.