Last Updated on July 15, 2025 by Lexy Summer
Introduction:
Losing important chats on social apps by accident can be frustrating and stressful. Not to fear — there are powerful tools that can assist you in recovering lost, deleted social media messages from platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and more — even in 2025.
In the following content, we will cover the 10 best software applications, along with their key features and pricing, which can help you recover your lost messages and conversations.
Top 10 Apps to Recover Deleted Social Messages
1. Gbyte Recovery
Introduction: Recover What Others Can’t
Gbyte Recovery is the best iPhone data recovery software. If you have deleted your Instagram messages, WhatsApp messages and photos, or you would like to get back some of your special memories that got accidentally wiped away from your mobile, damaged, stolen, or simply just because you had a factory reset, Get back all this data protected and unreliable by Gbyte doesn’t need a pre-installed backup.
What’s more – this software is entirely unique in that it is coupled with a fast, easy, and potent recovery engine. That has performed recovery in many cases twice as effectively as its nearest competition. It’s rare for this software to receive a full five stars. Even if you’ve broken your iphone, locked it and forgotten the password, lost it, or simply forgotten to turn off find my, it’s all good! You can even recover your data from the cloud if you don’t have access to the device.
Key Features: What Makes Gbyte So Powerful?
- Recovers 25+ Data Types
Includes messages, contacts, photos, videos, call logs, Safari history, calendar events, and social app chats (e.g., WhatsApp, Instagram, LINE, Messenger, WeChat, etc.)
- Exclusive Recovery Technology
Gbyte retrieves what most tools miss—such as deleted iMessages or WhatsApp Business chats, even if marked for permanent deletion.
- Lossless Recovery of Photos & Videos
All media files are recovered without any loss of quality, making Gbyte ideal for restoring valuable personal memories.
- 100% Local, Private & Secure
Gbyte processes your data locally on your computer, ensuring that no information is uploaded or stored on external servers.
- Recover from Any iPhone State
Whether your phone is lost, broken, locked, factory reset, or crashed—Gbyte has you covered through its iCloud recovery solution.
- Free Preview Before Payment
Scan your iPhone or iCloud backup and preview all recoverable files before paying—photos, videos, messages, app data, and more.
- No Backup Needed, Literally
Unlike many competitors, Gbyte can recover data even if you never performed a prior backup, including direct scans from your device’s internal storage or iCloud.
How to Use Gbyte Recovery
Recovering deleted social messages using Gbyte is beginner-friendly and straightforward. Here’s how it works:
- Download & Install Gbyte Recovery
Visit the official website and install the tool on your Windows or Mac computer.
- Launch & Select Data Type
Open the program and choose the data you want to recover—for example, Photos, Messages, or WhatsApp.
- Log in to iCloud to Connect Your Device
You can securely log into your iCloud account to retrieve backups—no physical access is required.
- Scan Your Device or Backup
Initiate a Deep Scan to thoroughly search your storage. The scan may take a few minutes, depending on the size of your device and the volume of data.
- Preview & Select What to Recover
Gbyte will present a categorized preview of all recoverable files—filter by app, type, or date to find exactly what you’re looking for.
- Recover to PC or External Storage
Hit the “Recover to PC” button and save your selected files securely to your desktop, external drive, or preferred folder.
Why Gbyte Is the Best iOS Message Recovery App
Gbyte Recovery is more than just a recovery tool—it’s a comprehensive rescue solution that meets the needs of iOS users who value privacy, performance, and peace of mind. Here’s why it stands out:
No Backup? No Problem.
Most recovery tools require a prior backup, but Gbyte allows you to recover data without any backup at all, directly from iCloud or your device memory.
Full Device Compatibility
Supports all major iPhones, iPads, and iPods—including iPhone 16/15/14/13/12, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPod Touch.
Works in All Scenarios
Whether your device is lost, broken, locked, reset, or crashed, Gbyte’s advanced tech ensures your data is still recoverable via cloud-based scans.
Special Focus: Recovering Instagram Messages
If you’re specifically trying to recover deleted Instagram messages, Gbyte offers an optimized solution for that, too. Visit the official guide on how to recover deleted Instagram messages for complete steps.
Pricing: Simple, Affordable Plans
Gbyte Recovery offers flexible plans for individuals and professionals alike:
- Monthly Plan – $39.99
- It is ideal for short-term users needing one-time recoveries.
- Annual Plan – $49.99
- Great for users who may need multiple recoveries throughout the year.
- Lifetime License – $79.99 (One-Time Payment)
- Best value. Unlimited use, free updates, full feature access—for life.
2. Wondershare Dr.Fone (Data Recovery module)
Key Features:
Dr Fone is a comprehensive mobile toolkit, and its Data Recovery module can restore text messages (even those you’ve removed), photos, WhatsApp chat history, contacts, and various other files from iOS and Android devices. It is simple to use and supports partial data recovery.
Several other programs aren’t OS-specific, and Dr Fone isn’t just a recovery tool — it also includes bonus utilities (e.g., device unlocking, WhatsApp transfer). Indeed, in testing, I used old WhatsApp photos, and I was able to find years-old images and chats; it is a robust scanner.
Pricing:
The complete Dr Fone toolkit is premium (approximately $99.95 per year for all features). Still, you can purchase the data recovery feature separately for around $59.95 per year or a one-time license (~$69.95 for lifetime use on up to 5 devices). (Pricing varies by module; a free trial scan is available.)
3. Tenorshare UltData
Key Features:
Tenorshare UltData is an expert iPhone data recovery tool that is highly effective in recovering social app messages. It can recover deleted Instagram DMs, WhatsApp chats, photos, videos, and more without a backup. UltData allows you to preview recoverable Instagram data (and other app data, for that matter) before recovery, and you can select exactly which conversations to recover.
It is capable of scanning iOS devices and extracting all data from iCloud and iTunes backups, which is optional and flexible. This is a very intuitive and easy-to-use tool that is also updated for the most current versions of iOS.
Pricing:
1 Month – ~$45.95, 1 Year – ~$49.95, Lifetime – ~$65.95 for the iOS version (license typically covers 1 PC and up to 5 mobile devices). (Prices are often discounted; all plans include free upgrades and support.)
4. iMobie PhoneRescue
Key Features:
PhoneRescue (for iOS and Android) is an all-in-one data recovery tool. It comes with three recovery modes for iOS devices: iTunes backup and iCloud backup to help people recover lost data. It allows you to retrieve messages, attachments, contacts, and call history, and it can even repair specific iOS system issues or remove a screen lock password.
PhoneRescue supports over 31 file types, allowing you to rescue your SMS, iMessage, app chats, photos, and videos. An excellent feature is the option to choose what you scan and restore, so you don’t have to overwrite your entire device. The interface is user-friendly, and recovery is supported in three steps.
Pricing:
3-Month Subscription – $45.99, 1-Year Subscription – $49.99, Lifetime License – $69.99 for PhoneRescue (iOS version). (One license typically covers one computer; the iOS and Android versions are sold separately.)
5. iMyFone D-Back
Key Features:
iMyFone D-Back is a popular iPhone data recovery tool that enables the recovery of various types of data, including messages (SMS, iMessage), contacts, photos, videos, and notes. When you are an audience member of the home panel of the software, you will find the Smart Recovery icon, where you can select the method by which you lost the data (accidentally deleted, iOS upgrade, jailbreak, etc.). It focuses on scanning for higher efficiency.
D-Back can directly recover data from an iOS device or access it from an iTunes/iCloud backup and allows you to preview and select messages for saving without having to restore an entire backup. It is also packed with a “Fix iOS System” functionality that mends iOS issues before you can recover.
Pricing:
Offers multiple plans. Approximate prices are $39.95 for 1 month, $49.95 for 1 year, and $69.95 for a lifetime license for the iOS version. (Licenses often allow use on a few devices/PCs. A limited free trial can scan and preview recoverable data.)
6. EaseUS MobiSaver
Key Features:
EaseUS MobiSaver Free is also a powerful tool that helps iPhone users restore deleted files. It retrieves messages, call history, photos, videos, contacts, and WhatsApp data, among other app data. You can restore directly from your iOS device or use an iTunes/iCloud backup. The interface of MobiSaver is simple, and there is a lot of positive feedback on its stability for both the Windows and Mac software versions.
There is a free version of MobiSaver, which can recover a limited number of items, while the Pro version offers unlimited recovery. It’s somewhat slow, though, particularly in deep scanning, but it’s very good at unearthing old deleted messages and chats.
Pricing:
Monthly – $59.95, Yearly – $79.95, Lifetime – $99.95 for the Pro version on iOS. (The Windows version is often slightly cheaper; the Free edition can recover a few files at no cost.)
7. Aiseesoft FoneLab
Key Features:
FoneLab for iOS is the best software tool for recovering lost data from an iPhone or directly backing up iOS 12 files. It supports most of the usual file types (photos, videos, notes, etc.), and it explicitly covers messaging apps, including Messenger, Line, Viber, Kik, and WeChat, as well as WhatsApp.
FoneLab allows you to scan your device or backup for free and preview the lost messages. To recover anything, you will need to purchase the full version (the free trial is limited to recovering a handful of items). It’s simple to use – plug in your device, scan, and you can then export or restore conversations. It also acts as an iOS System Recovery and WhatsApp Transfer software, which are included as bonus features.
Pricing:
Lifetime License – around $70 (one-time payment), which covers one computer and up to 6 iOS devices. (There are also monthly and yearly options on some platforms, but the lifetime plan is most cost-effective.)
8. Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
Key Features:
In this industry, Stellar iPhone Data Recovery application is a veteran. It’s incredibly intuitive and features a dependable recovery tool for lost messages, contacts, photos, and more – even from damaged or wiped iPhones. Stellar can restore iMessage and SMS, along with chat attachments, including WhatsApp, among others. It is compatible with devices and backups, and it works with the latest versions of iOS.
The software scans for recently deleted files during its quick initial scan and then a Deep Scan for a more in-depth recovery process (it will take longer). It’s beginning to look a little dated in the UI department, but it’s light and fast. In testing, I found that it did a good job of recovering WhatsApp attachments, as well as deleted contacts and notes. (Note that the demo mode is free only for previewing data, such as Safari bookmarks; a paid license is required to recover most items.)
Pricing:
Approximately $39.99 per year for a standard license (often allows use on up to 3 iPhones). Stellar usually runs promotions (e.g. around $40/year for up to three devices). Business/Toolkit editions with additional features or unlimited device support are available at higher prices.
9. Disk Drill
Key Features:
CleverFiles Disk Drill is best known as a go-to app for computer file recovery, but it works equally well for iPhones (and even comes with a few features for Mac users). It can even retrieve deleted messages and chat histories from an iPhone by scanning the device directly for traces of deleted files. Standout features of Disk Drill include its sleek UI and bonus tools, such as the ability to create a full-byte-level backup of an iPhone to save data, as well as a duplicate file finder and more.
The free version of Disk Drill allows you to recover up to 500 MB of data, which should be enough to check if you have any essential texts on your device and retrieve a few of them for free. If you need mass recovery, the Pro version has unlimited data. In reality, Disk Drill’s deep scan is quite potent: it took less than an hour in testing to recover long-lost WhatsApp messages and contacts on an iPhone. It also retrieves other app data and can draw from iTunes backups and iCloud when possible.
Pricing:
Free for recovering up to 500 MB. Pro (Lifetime) – around $89 one-time for a single-user license (includes minor updates; optional lifetime upgrades cost extra). (Enterprise licenses for multiple users are also offered.)
10. iBeesoft iPhone Data Recovery
Key Features:
iBeesoft’s iPhone Data Recovery is a relatively new entrant in the market, offering a straightforward approach to recovering lost messages, call logs, photos, and more from iOS devices. It’s pretty easy to use — just plug your iPhone into the machine, scan, and you can retrieve the deleted messages with the click of a button.
The software is supposed to restore data “in pristine condition,” so it tries to ensure that partial or corrupted restorations are circumvented. iBeesoft enables data recovery from the device and its memory, as well as directly from iTunes/iCloud backups. It works for popular third-party chat apps (such as WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat) as well as regular text messages. It lacks some of the features of other options, but it performs the basics of recovering social messages at a reasonable price.
Pricing:
$39.95 per year for a personal license (1 PC). They often run discounts or bundle deals (for example, renewals in subsequent years are as low as $9.95). A lifetime license may also be available for around $69.95. (A free trial allows scanning and previewing your lost messages.)
Comparison Table
Below is a side-by-side comparison of these 10 apps, summarizing their key features and pricing:
| App | Key Features | Pricing |
| Gbyte Recovery | iOS-focused; Recovers texts, WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, etc. No backup needed (iCloud direct scan); Preview before recovery; High success rate, even on long-deleted messages | Free scan. $39.99/mo, $49.99/yr, $79.99 lifetime |
| Wondershare Dr.Fone (Recovery) | Cross-platform (iOS & Android); All-in-one toolkit (data recovery + device fixes); Recovers various data incl. social app chats; Selective recovery of files | $59.95/yr (Data Recovery module) or $69.95 one-time for 5 devices. (Full toolkit ~$99/yr) |
| Tenorshare UltData | iOS data recovery specialist; Recovers Instagram, WhatsApp, photos, etc. without backup; Lets you preview and selectively recover data | $45.95/mo, $49.95/yr, $65.95 lifetime |
| iMobie PhoneRescue | Available for iOS & Android; Recovers ~31 file types (messages, app data, etc.); 3 recovery modes (device, iCloud, iTunes); Also fixes iOS system errors; Easy 3-step process | $45.99 (3-month), $49.99/yr, $69.99 lifetime |
| iMyFone D-Back | iOS recovery with “Smart Recovery” mode; Recovers 18+ data types (incl. WhatsApp, WeChat, Kik, Line chats); Extracts from device or backups; Preview & selective restore | $39.95/mo, $49.95/yr, $69.95 lifetime (approx.) |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | Trusted iPhone recovery app; Recovers messages, contacts, media, WhatsApp, etc.; Stable performance; Free version available (limited recovery); Can recover from backups | $59.95/mo, $79.95/yr, $99.95 lifetime |
| Aiseesoft FoneLab | Full-featured iPhone data recovery; Recovers deleted SMS and many app chats (WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger, etc.); Also offers iOS system repair and backup tools; Family license covers multiple devices | $69.99 one-time for lifetime license (1 PC, up to 6 devices). (Also has monthly/annual options.) |
| Stellar (iPhone) | User-friendly interface; Recovers iPhone messages, attachments (WhatsApp, etc.), contacts, notes; Fast basic scan + deep scan for thorough recovery; Supports recovery from device or iCloud/iTunes backups | $39.99/yr (regular price for 3-device license). (Often discounted; Toolkit version costs more.) |
| Disk Drill | Powerful deep scan for iOS; Recovers deleted chats (e.g. WhatsApp) even long after deletion; Extra tools (data backup, duplicate finder); Free recovery up to 500MB | Free (<=500 MB); $89 one-time for Pro (unlimited recovery) |
| iBeesoft iPhone Recovery | Basic and easy-to-use; Recovers messages, contacts, photos, etc. from iPhone; Locates deleted files and restores them “in pristine condition” (intact); Supports latest iOS devices & backups | $39.95/yr (1 PC license). (Often on sale; renewal ~$9.95 or lifetime ~$69.95.) |
Conclusion
You can still easily recover deleted social media messages in 2025 with the right software. The best of the apps here all provide a way to recover lost chats – whether that be Instagram DMs, WhatsApp messages, or data from any of the other messaging apps out there.
Out of these, Gbyte Recovery stands out for its iOS-centric approach, user-friendly design, and pocket-friendly lifetime plan, making it the right choice for users who need to recover all their crucial messages securely and quickly. Before you make your choice, consider what you need it for (e.g., cross-platform support, backup extraction, etc.) and how much you are willing to spend.
You’ll significantly increase your chances of reclaiming your cherished social media posts with any of these trusted tools. Just be sure to act fast (or before your data is overwritten) and use a free trial scan to check if your messages are recoverable. Happy recovery!
Lexy Summer is a talented writer with a deep passion for the art of language and storytelling. With a background in editing and content creation, Lexy has honed her skills in crafting clear, engaging, and grammatically flawless writing.
