"I deleted an important iMessage on my iPad by accident, is it possible to get it back?" iMessage is an essential feature on iPad. Most iPad models do not support SIM cards, but the users can still communicate with others via iMessage without an extra fee. Suppose you accidentally remove iMessages on your device, don't panic. There are multiple ways to recover iPad deleted messages. This guide will show the details.

Part 1: How to Find Recently Deleted Messages on iPad

Apple added the Recently Deleted section into the built-in Messages app on iPadOS 16.1. Since then, you can find deleted messages on an iPad without extra software or hardware. Bear in mind that there is a 30-day limit. The Recently Deleted section only keeps your deleted messages for 30 days.

Step 1. Once you delete your messages on iPad by mistake, open the Messages app, tap the Edit button at the top left corner, and choose Show Recently Deleted from the context menu.

Step 2. Here you can see a list of recently deleted chats. Select the target conversations, and tap the Recover button at the bottom.

Step 3. When prompted, tap Recover [number] Messages to confirm your action. Then you can see the deleted messages on your iPad in your inbox.

Part 2: How to Recover Deleted iPad Messages from a Backup

If you back up your iPad regularly, there is another way to find the deleted messages. The native backup features for iPad include iTunes/Finder and iCloud. We demonstrate the workflows below. Be aware that restoring iTunes or iCloud backup will erase your iPad.

How to Recover Deleted iPad Messages from iTunes/Finder Backup

Step 1. Connect your iPad to your computer with a Lightning cable. Run the latest version of iTunes on a PC or old Mac. For macOS Catalina or later, open Finder instead.

Step 2. Click the Phone button at the top left corner, go to the Summary tab, and select This Computer under the Backups section in iTunes. Choose your iPad name in Finder, and go to the General tab.

Step 3. Click the Restore Backup button. Then select the right backup that contains the messages you deleted, and follow the instructions to restore it to your iPad.

Step 4. Wait for the process to finish, and you can see the deleted messages on your iPad.

How to Retrieve Deleted iPad Messages from iCloud Backup

Step 1. If you back up your iPad using iCloud, go to the Settings app, choose Transfer or Reset iPad or Reset, and tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 2. When prompted, input your Apple ID password or iPad passcode. When your iPad restarts, you will see the Hello screen.

Step 3. Set up your device following the on-screen instructions. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup. Then log in to iCloud with your Apple ID and password.

Step 4. Select the right backup version and restore it to your device. Then you will find the deleted messages on the iPad.

Part 3: How to Recover Deleted iPad Messages Without Backup

Without backups, you still have the chance to recover deleted messages on your iPad. All you need is Apeaksoft iPhone Data Recovery, which is a powerful data recovery tool for iPhone/iPad users to retrieve lost messages and conversations. More importantly, it is pretty easy to use and does not require technical skills.

Here are the steps to recover deleted messages on iPad without backup:

Step 1. Scan your iPad

Run the best iPad data recovery software once you install it on your computer. Choose Recover from iOS Device from the left sidebar. Connect your iPad to your computer with a Lightning cable, and click the Start Scan button.

Step 2. Preview iPad messages

When the data scan is done, choose Messages and Message Attachments on the left side. Then select Show Deleted Only from the drop-down list at the top of the window. Now, you can see all deleted messages on your iPad.

Step 3. Retrieve deleted iPad messages

Select the items that you want to get back, and click on the Recover button at the bottom left side. Then set a directory in the Output Folder field, and hit Recover again. When it finishes, you can read your iPad messages on your computer at any time.