Lost an important text? Here’s how to get it back on your iPhone

Your phone holds your banking credentials, credit card info, and maybe even photos of identifying documents such as your driver’s license and passport. That’s why malware-laced apps can cause so much damage. Tap or click here for 13 dangerous apps disguised as helpful cleaning software you must immediately remove from your phone.

Your phone also holds important memories, like photos and videos of the people most precious to you. But, be honest, are you the one who always looks a little awkward in photos? Tap or click for a few simple steps to look better in pics.

Then there are your text messages. I recently heard from a woman on my national radio show who accidentally deleted texts from her late husband. She was heartbroken. Luckily, there are ways to recover deleted text messages on your iPhone.

The key to retrieving text messages

Your best bet for retrieving deleted messages is accessing an older backup of your phone. You can do that through iCloud for your iPhone.

There’s a big caveat you need to keep in mind: Restoring your phone to a previous backup means you lose new data after that backup.

Now, it’s worth saying that these steps don’t always work. If you strike out, you can try contacting your phone carrier. It may be able to restore deleted messages for you.

Have an iPhone? Turn on iCloud and iCloud Backup

On an iPhone, you have access to 5 GB of free storage. You will likely need to upgrade to an iCloud+ plan to store multiple backups and all your photos and videos. See pricing and tiers here.

To retrieve deleted texts on an iPhone, you must turn on iCloud Drive and iCloud Backup. Here’s how to enable Drive.

  • Turn on iCloud Drive by going to Settings.
  • Then, select your Apple ID.
  • After that, tap iCloud.
  • Lastly, turn on iCloud Drive.

After that, you need to turn on iCloud Backup. Do this by opening Settings > Selecting your Apple ID > tapping iCloud and selecting iCloud Backup.

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That COVID passport app may put your privacy at risk

Even though the world’s attention has shifted to Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic is still a matter of concern. Millions of people have already stood in line to get their vaccinations and were issued a certificate as proof. Tap or click here for the places you are most likely to pick up the virus.

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Precious memory and document organizers

  • A fireproof storage box is a wise investment if you have lots of hard-copy photos.
  • This fireproof, waterproof organizer is the right way to store important docs like your passport and birth certificate.
  • Show off your favorite 4-by-6-inch pics in a beautiful hardcover photo book.
  • USB flash drives are must-haves for those digital pictures and documents. Just don’t misplace them, please.
  • This smart digital photo frame lets you share photos with anyone from anywhere through the app.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🔒 Keep your passport safe: Don’t carry it around with you on vacation. A photo of it is good enough in almost all cases, so snap a pic and show that on your phone. Bonus: The pic will make getting a new passport much easier if you lose it or it gets stolen. If you truly need the real thing, secure it close to your body. I like this option.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

💄 All glammed up and no place to go: TikTok is loaded with people complaining that concealer, fake lashes and overlined lips in your passport photo can lead to big delays if you travel bare-faced (paywall link). You confuse both human and tech scanners. Btw, my passport photo is a publicity shot, and I’m happy to report I never get held up.

Traveling soon? 10 things to think about before finalizing your plans

With COVID vaccines more available, travel is on the rise. While it may be safer to expand your horizons now than it was a year ago, you still need to take the same precautions you always have, in addition to some new ones.

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I’m leavin’ on a jet plane: Don’t wait in line for a bad passport pic. Head to Passport Photo Online and follow a few steps to take the perfect shot. It’s easy, and the site tells you exactly what to do. That means you won’t get rejected once you submit the pic.