Every iMessage Just Disappeared. Here's Why — and What Now

Waking up to an empty Messages app is one of the worst iPhone surprises. The cause is usually one of three things: an iCloud sync glitch that un-checked iCloud Messages, an auto-delete setting that triggered, or a filter hiding most threads. Two of the three are fully reversible if you act before iCloud syncs again.

Key Topics Covered

• iCloud Messages sync — what happens when it's turned off
• Auto-delete messages setting (30 days / 1 year / forever)
• Messages filter hiding non-contacts or unknown senders
• The 30-day Recently Deleted folder in Messages
• Acting fast before iCloud overwrites the backup
• Restoring from iCloud or local backup to get messages back