How to retrieve messages from sim card

Many people are surprised to learn that under certain circumstances, it is possible to recover deleted text messages. The fact is that there is a window of time in which it is possible to recover deleted messages with any mobile phone that utilizes a subscriber identity module or SIM card. Typically, the process requires extracting the deleted information from the data found on the card and using a software program to read the retrieved messages.

How to retrieve messages from sim card
It may be possible to recover deleted text messages on phones that use a SIM card.

The reason that it is possible to recover deleted text messages is that when a message is deleted, the data is not completely erased at that time. While it does disappear from the message queue on the cell phone, the information is still there. In effect, the technology of the SIM card is marking the space occupied by that message file for overwriting. Until that space is actually needed for a new message, it is possible to retrieve the data. This means that for someone who does not send a lot of text messages, it may be possible to get deleted text messages back for several days before the space is eventually overwritten.

How to retrieve messages from sim card
It might be possible to retrieve text message several days after they have been deleted.

In order to recover deleted text messages, it is necessary to use a device known as a SIM card reader. This device is able to access all the memory on the card, including the space that currently holds recently deleted data. From there, the reader can use a software program to extract the deleted data and copy it into a format that the software can open. At that point, it is simply a matter of searching through the recaptured data and finding the accidentally deleted text messages that you want to recover.

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It is important to note that SIM card software not only makes it possible to recover deleted text messages, but also recently deleted information like telephone numbers and logs of inbound and outbound calls. In addition to readers that are equipped with the software, there are also free programs that you can download and use to retrieve the deleted data. For mobile phones that have Internet capability, it is often possible to download the software directly onto the device. If this is not possible, the card software can be downloaded to a desktop or laptop computer that is then connected to the phone via a USB cable. Since some of the free products will only work with certain types of SIM cards, make sure your card type is included before downloading and attempting to retrieve the data.

How to retrieve messages from sim card
Many teenagers use text messaging as a major form of communication.

How to retrieve messages from sim card
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including EasyTechJunkie, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments

anon1002813February 22, 2020

Something happened to my phone; it deleted all my text messages going back only a few weeks. I really need those texts. help!

rellieFebruary 22, 2017

If it is an android phone, you can use data recovery methods to recover the lost data from it. Of course if you don't have backups, you can try a tool named MobiKin Android recovery; it would help.

anon991518June 27, 2015

@StarJo - No one has to steal your phone. If you resell it or upgrade, what do you think can happen?

shell4lifeJanuary 10, 2013

It would be hard for me to retrieve deleted files on my phone. I send probably twenty or more text messages a day, so I'm sure that they get overwritten quickly.

OceanaJanuary 9, 2013

I was so glad to learn that I could restore deleted files on my phone. My young niece had gotten a hold of my phone and pushed a lot of buttons, and she accidentally deleted some messages from some of my customers, along with half of my client list!

I recovered all the deleted names and numbers. I also got the text messages back that had important order information and addresses in them.

orangey0317 hours ago

I know that I can recover deleted files from the recycle bin on my computer, but I always wondered if something like this were possible with my phone. It sounds more complicated than simply clicking on the bin and double clicking on the file, though.

StarJoyesterday

Wow, I had no idea you could retrieve deleted text messages! Any criminals or people with secrets to hide had better not do their business via text!

I have sent private texts before that I would be embarrassed for anyone other than the recipient to read. I hope that no one ever steals my phone and tries to view my old messages with this software.

Can I retrieve text messages from a SIM card?

There is a file dedicated to storing texts and other mobile data within the SIM card memory. However, the deleted SMS is still retained on the SIM card, and by changing the status field into “in use”, the deleted SMS can be restored on the SIM card.

How can I retrieve old SMS messages?

Tap on the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner and open the Recycle bin. Check your deleted text messages. Long tap the message you want to retrieve. Select Restore at the bottom and check the same in your main inbox.

How do I check text messages on my SIM card?

Access your SIM card through your cellular phone. Each phone is different; however, if your phone has a SIM card you should be able to reach it within your security settings. Once you access the security settings of your phone you will be able to select the contents of your SIM card to retrieve any saved text messages.