You can locate messages in the Messages app as well as the Spotlight section as well as the Today View section.
I recently made the switch to Android switching to iPhone and was trying to locate an address I thought was part of the message history. In my search for an easy way to locate the message I found myself searching through Spotlight which displayed search result of every one of different messaging platforms (like WhatsApp, and Facebook).
As simple as it is to make use of Spotlight I also found two additional ways of searching for text on an iPhone that I’ve discussed in this tutorial.
Method 1. Search for Text Messages on iPhone via the Messages App
The most efficient way to search at messages in your iPhone is to use it’s Messages app. This is the method for the default Messages app for iOS devices, however you can apply this method with almost any other third-party text messaging application.
Here’s how you can search for text messages using the iPhone app:
- Open the Messages app. If a conversation is currently open you can click on the return button in order to return to the main screen in the Message app.
- Swipe down. This will open an option to search on the top.
- Input the word or phrase, name or number you’d like to locate.
- When you type your search, the results will appear beneath your search box. You’ll be able to see an alphabetized list of conversations with the words you typed.
- If you are unable to locate the exact messages you’re looking for, then click the View All option to the right.
- You’ll be able to see a complete listing of conversations related to your question.
- Find, scroll the chat that contains the message you’re searching for. It will bring you to that particular conversation that has been highlighted.
If you return you’ll still be able to be able to see the entire search results. Remove the query in case you wish to do a new search.
The only method to locate messages from all of history. It is impossible to look up a message within a thread of messages.
Method 2. Find iMessages on iPhone using The Spotlight Search Function
Spotlight can be described as an iOS feature that allows you to scan the entire system. When you use Spotlight you’ll be looking through apps such as notes, contacts, messages as well as other apps that you have on your iPhone.
If you’re looking for an easy method to browse through your messages in text You might be interested in using Spotlight. Here’s how you can locate your messages on Spotlight:
- Scroll down your smartphone’s main screen and you’ll see the Search bar.
- Start typing the message that you’re looking for.
- It will immediately display all the results across all apps that are on your phone which match the query.
- Search for the appropriate match in the message section.
- If you’re unable to find the message, click Search within the App just below an app called Messages. It will bring you to the Messages app and show conversations that include the particular text message.
- Click the “See All” button on the left to go deeper into older messages.
- Once you have found the relevant thread, tap on the discussion to open that message which you’ve been searching for.
How can you permit Spotlight to Search Messages?
If you don’t see messages in the Spotlight search option, most likely the option to search for messages is disabled within the Spotlight settings.
But, you can swiftly start it up as:
- Click on the Settings.
- Click on Siri & Search.
- In the menu of applications choose one of them. iMessage App.
- Select in the “In Search” section.
- Switch on the toggle to Show In Search..
Try running an Spotlight search again, and you should get results from the iMessage application right now.
Method 3 Method 3: Search Messages on iPhone using Today View
It is easy to find messages threads for all of your Apple devices such as iPhone or iPad by using your home screens. There’s a lot of confusion about the iPhone’s Spotlight as well as Today View features.
While Spotlight is an all-systems search engine, Today View is a customizable section that lets you see your most recently-used apps such as reminders and weather information, news and much more.
To find exact messages from Today View Follow these steps:
- Tap left on the iPhone for the Today View.
- Click on the Searchfield on the top of the screen and input the message that you’re trying to find.
- Click down until your conversationsection and tap the message you’re looking for. This section displays the conversations you have with different applications, including messages, WhatsApp, Facebook, and many more.
- If the results of a search do not include the search term you are looking for Scroll down and look in the message section.
- If you’re still unable to see it, scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Search for Messages beneath the Search in the Appssection.
- You will be taken into the Messages application. Look through the results for your particular message or click to view all to see the results.
- Click on the message thread that has exactly the words.
- Selecting the correct conversation will direct you to the term you are looking for.
Search Text Messages in Facebook Messenger
You can find conversations on Facebook using these steps:
- Install Facebook Messenger. Facebook Messenger app.
- Click to Search on the upper right-hand side on Messenger’s main interface. It is important to note that Facebook often changes its interface however, you can simply tap the Search icon, wherever it is.
- When you type your search, you’ll get results that are categorizes. For example the results listed are listed under messages are messages sent by your contacts. The results listed under Explore is Facebook Groups as well as pages that have the word “search” in their title.
- Tap to see more in the upper left of category Messages. category.
- There’s now the list of Facebook Messenger messages that include the word “search” in the message and the profile name. Facebook profile.
- Select the results that you would like to see. This will lead you to the specific message of the conversation with the search query you entered.
Search for text messages on WhatsApp
On WhatsApp you can search for chats from the past however, you cannot search for deleted chats. If you’re searching for particular WhatsApp messages You can search within the app using these simple steps:
- Launch WhatsApp.
- Tap Chatstab. Tap on Chatstab on the panel at the lower.
- Within the Searchbar at the top you can type in the search term you want to search for.
- When you type, you’ll get messages matching your search query highlighted. Select the right conversation or message you are looking for.
- This will lead you to the discussion thread in which the search phrase is highlighted.
How to Retrieve IMessages?
Are you trying to find old messages? It’s possible to do so, provided you haven’t deleted the messages. There is however an option to set the time duration that lets you select the amount of time your phone will store messages from your inbox. To determine this setting you must follow these steps:
- Open your phone Settings.
- Navigate to messages.
- Go to Keep the messages.
- You’ll see three options : 30 days, one year, and Forever.
- Pick the one that works best for you.
iMessage does not include an archive feature. It is only possible to delete messages. Deleted messages can’t be searched for.
Frequently asked questions
How do I search iMessage history?
You can browse through the entire history of iMessages when you have the appropriate time frame set to determine how long the iPhone will keep your messages. You can browse through your history using the Messages apps, Spotlight, and Today View. You can also look up the history of your iMessages on an iPad when you’ve activated sync.
What’s the fastest method to find messages for Messages on the iPhone?
Open your Messages App for the iPhone and swipe to locate the Search field. Enter the keyword you wish to look up. You will be able to see a complete list of conversations with the keyword you searched for.
What can I do to access my old messages from my iPhone with no scrolling?
Launch the Messages application and swipe left until you see the Search bar. Enter your name or the phrase you’re trying to find. Then, you’ll be able to be able to see a list of conversations that match your question.
How can I locate old messages in my iPhone with the date?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to look up text messages using the specific date using either your iPhone or iPad.
Locating Messages on iPhone Simple
Finding your iPhone’s messages history isn’t too difficult. There are many methods to achieve this. It is possible to search for specific messages on your iPhone with the Messages app, Spotlight or Today View, instead of scrolling through messages.
