How to Get Text Messages Off a Broken Phone for Court
Reviewed by Jacob Reed, founder of Verity ·
Short answer
Often you can, because the phone is rarely the only copy. On an iPhone, the messages are in iCloud if Messages in iCloud was on, or in your last iCloud or computer backup if it was off. On Android, Google's backup includes SMS and MMS messages. Restore that onto a working phone, then export the conversation as a file. With no backup, a repair may bring the phone back long enough to copy it, and the other person's phone holds the same conversation.
Whatever state it is in, don't throw the old phone away, trade it in or wipe it until you have the messages back.
First, what not to do
- Don't reset, sell or trade in the broken phone. It may still be repairable, and it is evidence.
- Don't set up a new iPhone as new and let it back up before you restore. Apple warns that new iCloud backups can replace the ones you already have, and says to restore as soon as possible.
- Write down when and how the phone broke. If messages turn out to be missing, that note explains why.
iPhone: where your messages are
It depends on one setting, Messages in iCloud. If it was on, your messages were kept in iCloud, not in the backup, and they come back on any iPhone, iPad or Mac you sign in to with the same Apple Account. If it was off, Apple says your messages are included in iCloud Backup, so they come back when you restore that backup, or a backup made on a computer.
To restore, choose From iCloud Backup while setting up the replacement phone, or restore from the computer. Apple says a phone that is already set up must be erased first. If you had turned iCloud Backup off, Apple keeps the last backup for 180 days before deleting it. The difference between syncing and a backup is explained in iCloud sync vs backup; once the messages are back, follow how to export iPhone messages.
Android: Google's backup
Google says an Android phone's automatic backup to your Google Account includes SMS and MMS messages, with up to 15 GB of storage free. When you set up a reset or replacement phone with the same Google Account, choose to restore that backup. Then save the conversation as a file (see exporting Google Messages or Samsung Messages).
If there is no backup
- Repair first. For an iPhone that won't turn on, Apple suggests charging it for an hour before deciding it needs service. A new screen or battery is often enough to bring a phone back long enough to copy the messages off it.
- A data-recovery lab. For water or board damage, specialist labs sometimes recover data. Results vary and it can be expensive, so ask your lawyer whether the messages are worth it.
- The other phone. The person you were texting has the same conversation. In a case, your lawyer can ask for it; see getting the other parent's messages.
- The phone company. Carriers keep a log of who texted whom and when, not the words (see getting text records from your carrier).
Once you have the messages back
Export the conversation as a file straight away and keep a copy off the phone. Verity reads the file in your browser, without uploading it, and numbers every message in date order, which gives you a record that doesn't depend on any phone again. Keep the broken phone too.
Apple and Google pages cited
Read on November 3, 2026. These features change; check before you rely on them.
- What does iCloud back up? (Apple)
- Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup (Apple)
- If restore from iCloud backup failed (Apple)
- If your iPhone won’t turn on or the screen is black (Apple)
- Back up or restore data on your Android device (Google)
This is general information, not legal advice. Verity is not affiliated with Apple or Google. Ask your attorney what your case needs.
Got the conversation back?
Drop in the export and read every message numbered in date order. It is read in your browser and is not uploaded.