If you’ve accidentally deleted a Facebook message and now regret your decision, don’t despair. There are several methods you can try to recover the lost conversation. First, check if you’ve archived the message instead of deleting it. On the desktop version of Facebook, click on the Messenger icon, select “See all in Messenger,” click the three-dot icon next to Chats, and choose “Archived chats.” If you find the message there, simply unarchive it to restore it to your inbox.
For the mobile Messenger app, search for the names of the other people in the chat or go to the archived chats section directly. If the message isn’t in the archive, it may be truly deleted. However, there are still a few options to explore.
Android users can try recovering deleted messages from their device’s cache data. Using a file manager app, navigate to the following directory: Internal Storage or SD card > Android > data > com.facebook.orca > cache > fb_temp. Here, you may find chats from your recent history, including the deleted message.
If you created a backup before deleting the message, you can retrieve it from there. Go to your Facebook settings, select “Download your information,” and then “Download profile information in Accounts Centre.”
You’ll be able to see and download your most recent backups, which might include the deleted messages.
Another option is to contact the other recipients of the conversation. While the message may be gone from your end, they likely still have a copy. Ask them for a screenshot or to resend the conversation to you.
To avoid losing messages in the future, consider saving regular backups of your Facebook data. You can do this by going to the “Download your information” screen, selecting the desired profiles and data types (including Messages), and choosing your preferred download method and format.
Remember, while deleting messages may seem like a good way to keep your inbox organized, archiving is a safer option that allows you to access the information if needed later.