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How to Recover Permanently Deleted Messages on Facebook

Last Updated : 10 Apr, 2024
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Facebook is a social media platform that offers few recovery methods but recovery of permanently deleted messages is a difficult task to perform. Despite this difficulty, there are a number of ways to possibly recover missed talks. First, users may search the Facebook Messenger app or online interface for communications that have been archived. Another option would be to ask the receiver for a copy of the exchange.

In the event that none of these methods work, downloading one’s Facebook data offers a complete backup, but one that might not contain every message that has been removed. Users may turn to data recovery software for more sophisticated solutions, albeit there may be privacy concerns. Finally, reaching out to Facebook for help is still a possibility, even though personalized message retrieval is usually not offered.

1. Examine the Message Archive

a) Using a Web Browser to Use Facebook Messenger

  • Launch your chosen web browser and navigate to facebook.com.

Open Facebook

  • With your details login into your account.
  • Find the Messenger icon in the upper right corner of the Facebook homepage. It has the appearance of a lightning bolt enclosed in a speech bubble.

Messenger Icon

  • Selecting it will launch Messenger.
  • Your recent discussions are presented on the left-hand side of the Messenger window. Don’t worry if you can’t find the chat you’re searching for; it could have been preserved.

Open chats

b) Using the Mobile Facebook Messenger App

  • Launch the Facebook Messenger application on your tablet or smartphone. Make sure your Facebook account is signed in.
  • Once within the Messenger app, swipe up to see the search box.
  • Enter the sender’s name whose messages you wish to have recovered.
  • Messenger will show compatible contacts as you write. Press the name of the individual you’re looking for.
  • The chat pane should show any archived communications you have with that individual. The look of archived messages could change somewhat from that of ongoing discussions.

2. Download your Facebook Data

a) Access Facebook settings

  • Access Facebook settings by logging in to your account
  • Click on the downward arrow in the upper right corner of the page.

Click on downward arrow

b) Navigate to ‘Setting & Privacy’

  • A dropdown menu will show up when you click the downward arrow.
  • Select “Settings & Privacy” from the menu that drops down.
  • Once you’re in the “Settings & Privacy” area, select “Settings.” You will be sent to the main settings page by doing this.

Open Settings & Privacy

c) Access “Your Facebook Information”

  • A list of options is displayed on the left side of the settings page. Locate “Your Facebook Information” and choose it.

Check for Facebook Information

d) Select the Format and Data Range

  • You may choose the data you wish to download when you get to the “Download Your Information” page.
  • Selecting the desired date range for the data download should come first. You have the option to download all of your data or just a certain period range.

Account Center

Information

e) Select Media Quality

  • Next, select the download format. Choose between the HTML and JSON formats. Videos and images are included in HTML format, and text-only material is included in JSON format.
  • The media quality for your images and videos will be selectable if you have opted for the HTML format. Select a quality level: high, medium, or poor.

Create files to download

f) Create File

  • After adjusting your download settings, select the “Create File” option. Facebook will begin getting ready to download your information.

g) Download File

  • Facebook will notify you once it has completed processing your data.
  • You may either go back to the “Download Your Information” page or click on the notice.
  • You’ll find a link to download your data file in the “Available Files” area. To download the file to your device, click the link.

Download your information

h) Extract and Access your messages

  • To view the contents, unpack the file when it has finished downloading.
  • Search the extracted files for the “messages” folder. This folder will include HTML versions of your communications.
  • To see your messages, use a web browser to open the HTML file.

3. Use Data Recovery System

Research Data Recovery Software

Look for reliable software for data recovery that can help you get your data back from the storage on your device.

Downloading and installing software

Installing software involves downloading it from a reliable source, then following the installation guidelines.

Device Connection

Use a USB cable or any other suitable connection method to link your device—a computer, smartphone, etc., to the computer on which you have the data recovery program installed.

Run Data Recovery Scan

Launch the data recovery program and set it to begin scanning the storage on your device. Facebook communication data will be among the deleted files that the program will look for.

Examine Scan Results

After the scan is finished, go over the results to check if any of the recovered data includes your deleted Facebook messages.

Recover Messages

In the event that the program finds your erased messages, go with the instructions to get them back. Ensure that the recovered data is stored on your computer in a secure area.

Verify Recovered Messages

Following the recovery procedure, confirm that the recovered messages include the information you were searching for.

Backup Recovered Messages

You should think about backing up recovered messages to a safe place, such cloud storage or an external hard drive, to avoid losing them again.

4. Contact Facebook Support

Visit the Facebook Help Center

Go to the Facebook Help Center to get started. To gain access to this, simply click the question mark (?) symbol found in the upper-right corner of every Facebook page. Then click on “Help Center.”

Go to the Support Section

The Help Center has a number of categories and subjects pertaining to using Facebook. To locate the part that addresses your problem, either use the search box or scroll down. You may wish to search for subjects on message recovery or account security, if you are attempting to retrieve permanently erased messages.

Examine the Resources Available

To assist users in resolving common problems, Facebook usually offers articles, tutorials, and FAQs. See if you can find any instructions or information on message recovery by going through these resources. Remember that Facebook may claim on its official page that it does not provide help for recovering certain messages.

Use the Facebook Communities or Forums for Help

Facebook frequently offers communities or forums where users may post queries and look for help from other users. Look in the Help Center for a section called “Forums” or “Help Community”. There, you may ask your query and get answers from other people who have similar experiences.

Reach Out to Facebook Support Directly

You may try reaching out to Facebook support directly if you’re having trouble finding a solution through the Help Center or community forums. Remember that based on your region and the type of problem you’re having, Facebook’s assistance choices may change.

Within the Help Center, you will find a “Contact Us” or “Report a Problem” link. This might be found within certain articles or at the bottom of the page.

Conclusion

Restoring permanently deleted Facebook messages might be a difficult task. Despite measures such as reviewing archived messages, contacting recipients, downloading Facebook data, using data recovery tools, and contacting Facebook support, success is not assured. These approaches are not all equally successful, and some pose privacy and security hazards.

It’s critical to use caution, especially when using third-party applications or transmitting sensitive information. While Facebook support can help, their ability to retrieve specific messages is restricted owing to privacy regulations. Finally, users should be careful about message management and take precautions to avoid future inadvertent deletions.

FAQs – How to Recover Permanently Deleted Messages on Facebook

Is it easy for me to retrieve Facebook messages that I have permanently deleted

Unfortunately, retrieving completely erased messages from Facebook can be challenging and need a variety of approaches, none of which can ensure success.

Is there a danger associated with obtaining Facebook messages via third-party data recovery software?

It is true that employing third-party data recovery software carries some risk to security and privacy because these programs may need access to private data.

Does contacting Facebook support ensure that communications that have been permanently removed may be recovered?

Although contacting Facebook help is a possibility, privacy regulations and restrictions in Facebook’s assistance procedures mean that message recovery is not guaranteed.



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