People are just realising you can read deleted texts on an iPhone

IT’S possible to recover deleted texts on iPhone thanks to a brand new feature.

Apple recently updated every iPhone with the ability to bring deleted messages back from the dead.

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You can recover any message that was deleted fewer than 30 days ago.

Sadly if a message was deleted more than 30 days ago, it’s automatically cleared forever.

The good news is that recovering messages is extremely simple.

First, make sure that you’re using the latest version of iOS: the feature only works on iOS 16.

To check, go into Settings > General > Software Update.

Once you’re running iOS 16, open your Messages app.

Now tap the Edit button in the top-left corner and look for Show Recently Deleted.

Alternatively, Recently Deleted may be in the Filter section in the top-left if you have that activated.

In that section, you’ll be able to see all of the texts that you’ve removed over the past month.

You’ll see an expiry date next to each message, which reveals when the text will be deleted forever.

So if you’re running out of time, consider restoring it.

If you’re not sure about deleting a message forever, simply restore it and then delete it again to reset the timer.

To restore a message, select it and then tap Recover in the bottom-right.

Alternatively press Delete if you want the text to be scrubbed forever.

There are also Recover All and Delete All buttons if you want to make a bulk action quickly.

If you can’t see Recently Deleted messages then it means you haven’t binned any in the past 30 days.

Secret iMessage codes

Recovering deleted text messages isn’t the only iMessage trick you need to know about.

iMessage has loads of advantages, but one little-known perk is the selection of secret effect codes.

All you need to do is open a chat and then type “Pew Pew”.

You’ll find that the screen is filled with lasers – for both you AND the recipient.

Sending the message “Congrats” causes confetti to rain down.

And the same works if you write “congratulations” in a different language too.

Typing “Happy Birthday” will trigger balloons to float across the screen.

And then there’s “Happy Chinese New Year”, which unleashes virtual fireworks on iMessage.

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Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find those secret features within social media apps? We have you covered…

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