How to Recover Old Facebook Posts And Messages: (Step by Step Guide)

Facebook saves our memories, talks, and special moments; whether it is years-old posts or moments spent with someone special or conversations shared with our loved ones, Facebook preserves everything, and when we accidentally delete them, it feels as if we have lost something, even if it is in digital form. So maybe you are wondering how to get back old Facebook posts and messages, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will tell you very easy methods by which you can recover your posts and messages. If you can recover your deleted or archived posts, we will tell you some good tips so that your data remains safe in the future. Then, let’s start

Recovering Old Facebook Posts: Step-by-Step Guide

Facebook has some tools that help you get back your deleted or archived posts, but these tools can prove to be helpful only when you work on time. Here are the easiest ways to get old posts back – whether they were accidentally deleted or buried down in the timeline.

1: Recovering deleted Posts from the Trash Folder

Facebook keeps deleted posts in the trash folder for 30 days. They can be easily brought back within 30 days.

Method 1: On mobile (iOS or Android):

1. Open the Facebook app and log in to your account.
2. Go to Profile — tap the profile photo or menu icon.
3. Go to Settings / Activity Log.
4. Click Trash — it shows you all the posts you deleted in the last 30 days.
5. Select the post you want to restore and tap Restore.

On desktop:

1. Open facebook.com and log in.
2. Go to Profile.
3. Open Activity Log.
4. Click Trash on the left.
5. Select the post and click Restore.

Method 2: Restore a post from the Archive

If you haven’t deleted a post but hidden it from your timeline, it will be in the Archive folder. Posts in the Archive are permanently saved and can be restored at any time.

On Mobile:

1. Open the Facebook app and go to Profile.
2. Open Activity Log.
3. Select Archive — hidden posts will appear here.
4. Select a post and tap Restore.

On desktop:

1. Open Facebook and log in.
2. Go to Profile.
3. Go to Activity Log.
4. Select Archive > Post Archive on the left.
5. Select a post and tap Restore.

Method 3: Download Facebook data

If the post is older than 30 days or not in the trash/archive, you can download and restore Facebook data.

1. Go to Settings: On mobile, tap the menu icon → Settings & Privacy > Settings. On desktop, click the arrow in the top right → Settings & Privacy > Settings.
2. Open “Your Facebook Information”: Click Download Your Information.
3. Choose data type: You can select just posts or photos/videos. Set the date range and format.
4. Request a Download: Tap Request a Download and let Facebook prepare the data (it can take a few minutes to hours).
5. Download and View: Once the file is downloaded, unzip it and view your content in the Posts folder.

Method 4: Other Options

If the above methods don’t work, try these:

1. Check email notifications: If Facebook notifications are on, look for messages related to the post in your email.
2. Ask friends: Someone may have liked, shared, or screenshotted your post.
3. Check device storage: If the post had photos/videos, check it in your phone’s gallery or computer.
4. Check social media tools: If you posted using a tool like ContentStudio or Hootsuite, check the archives or drafts there.

Recovering Old Facebook Messages: Step-by-Step Guide

Just like we can recover posts, messages can also be recovered, but recovering messages is a bit difficult because there is no “Trash” folder for messages on Facebook. But there are still some ways you can get your deleted messages back.

Method 1: Check Archived Messages

Sometimes messages you think are deleted are actually archived and hidden from your main chat list.

On Mobile:

1. Open the Messenger app (or open Messenger from the Facebook app)
2. Go to the Chats tab
3. Search for “Archived Chats” in the search bar (tap “See All” if needed
4. Send a message to the chat you want to restore — it will appear in your main chat list.

On desktop:

1. Go to messenger.com or click the Messenger icon on Facebook
2. Go to Settings (gear icon) and select “Archived Chats”
3. Open the chat and send a message to it — it will be unarchived.

Method 2: Download Facebook Data

You can download your entire message history.

1. Go to Settings and open the option “Download Your Facebook Data”
2. Select the “Messages” box
3. Choose a date range, send a download request, and wait for the file
4. The file will contain all messages in HTML or JSON format (if they were in your account in that date range).

Method 3: Ask the other person for messages

• If you deleted a chat, the other person may still have it (unless they deleted it too).
• Request the other person to send a screenshot of the chat or forward the message to you
• If the message was in a group chat, other members may also have it.

Tips to Prevent Losing Facebook Posts and Messages

It is better to prevent it beforehand rather than recovering it, so we will tell you some tips that will help in keeping your Facebook content safe.

1. Archive Instead of Deleting: If you are not sure about deleting the post, then archive it instead of deleting it. Archived posts can be brought back anytime, and there is no limit of 30 days.
2. Keep Notifications On: Keep email or mobile notifications turned on for posts and messages so that you have a record even outside Facebook.
3. Keep Downloading Data: Download your Facebook data from time to time so that you have an offline backup.
4. Use Safe Third-Party Tools: If you run a business page, use trusted social media tools that have archive feature, but definitely check their security.
5. Save Media: Save photos and videos in your phone or cloud storage before posting them on Facebook.

Also Read:

• Snapchat Notifications Not Working? How To Fix It?
• How to Change the Gender of My AI Chatbot?
• Instagram’s New Auto Scroll Feature for Reels: A Game-Changer for Binge-Watchers or a Step Too Far?

Final Note

It’s possible to get Facebook posts and messages back — whether by going to the trash folder, archiving, or downloading your data. If you take timely action and use the methods above, you can get your precious memories or important content back.

To avoid this from happening in the future, archive your posts instead of deleting them, and back up your data from time to time.

So what are you waiting for? Check your Activity Log or download your Facebook data today. Be sure to read our blog guide for more tips on using social media safely and efficiently.