Question Text messages randomly disappearing

[Sportschicfla]

Recent some of my text messages in existing chats have been randomly disappearing. My RCS chats are on and have been for a bit. And it isn't always in the same thread that they disappear from. I'm on a Samsung S23 Ultra. My husband was also having the same issue on his S22 Ultra and it was happening so often that he finally switch apps. I've tried switching apps to Google, Samsung, SMS Organizer, True Caller and Textra SMS and still have the same issues. I have also tried switching service providers as well as done a factory reset. All with no success.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[B. Diddy]

Just to be clear -- you're saying that specific messages within a certain message thread are disappearing? Or is it all messages from one particular person in a group text?

Are the disappearing messages always from iPhone users?

 

[VidJunky]

I went to Google to see what it had to say about individual disappearing messages.
Gemini said,

If individual messages are disappearing from your SMS threads, it's most likely due to accidental deletion, a glitch in your messaging app, a software update issue, or potentially a feature on your phone that automatically deletes old messages to save storage space; check your settings to see if any such feature is enabled. [1, 2, 3]
Possible reasons for disappearing messages: [1, 2, 4]

• Accidental deletion: You or someone else might have accidentally swiped to delete a message within the thread. [1, 2, 4]
• Messaging app bug: A bug within your current messaging app could be causing messages to disappear intermittently. [1, 2, 5]
• Software update issues: Recent phone or messaging app updates might have introduced bugs affecting message display. [1, 2, 5]
• Storage management feature: Some phones have settings to automatically delete older messages to free up storage space. [2, 3, 4]
• "Delete old messages" setting: Check your messaging app settings to see if there's a feature that automatically deletes messages older than a certain time frame. [2]

We can count out accidental deletion just because the odds of you doing this in multiple apps seems slim. I think a bug could be possible. You say, but I tried different apps from fresh installs, ah yes but the way I've known SMS to work is everything goes to through the preinstalled app. The pre-installed messaging app cannot be disabled or uninstalled and I believe this is because it does all of the heavy lifting in messaging and whatever other app that is installed is just icing. Window dressing to make things look pretty, or provide some enhancement. In this case Samsung Messages would be the pre-installed app, and other apps like, Google Messages, Next SMS, Chomp SMS, are more like interfaces or UIs. to Samsung's Messages.

I would try clearing the cache for your Samsung Messages app. Settings>Apps>Samsung Messages>Force Stop (if possible)>Storage>Clear Cache.

As far as the other items Gemini talks about I might go along with except you've tried multiple apps and the odds that old message delete would be turned on in each one and then would also appear to act sporadically are low. The same with it being a storage issue.

 

[Sportschicfla]

Just to be clear -- you're saying that specific messages within a certain message thread are disappearing? Or is it all messages from one particular person in a group text?

Are the disappearing messages always from iPhone users?

They are random messages in different threads from different people disappearing.

At this point I even tried a factory reset and only added apps that I have had on for years.

 

[Sportschicfla]

I went to Google to see what it had to say about individual disappearing messages.
Gemini said,

If individual messages are disappearing from your SMS threads, it's most likely due to accidental deletion, a glitch in your messaging app, a software update issue, or potentially a feature on your phone that automatically deletes old messages to save storage space; check your settings to see if any such feature is enabled. [1, 2, 3]
Possible reasons for disappearing messages: [1, 2, 4]

• Accidental deletion: You or someone else might have accidentally swiped to delete a message within the thread. [1, 2, 4]
• Messaging app bug: A bug within your current messaging app could be causing messages to disappear intermittently. [1, 2, 5]
• Software update issues: Recent phone or messaging app updates might have introduced bugs affecting message display. [1, 2, 5]
• Storage management feature: Some phones have settings to automatically delete older messages to free up storage space. [2, 3, 4]
• "Delete old messages" setting: Check your messaging app settings to see if there's a feature that automatically deletes messages older than a certain time frame. [2]

We can count out accidental deletion just because the odds of you doing this in multiple apps seems slim. I think a bug could be possible. You say, but I tried different apps from fresh installs, ah yes but the way I've known SMS to work is everything goes to through the preinstalled app. The pre-installed messaging app cannot be disabled or uninstalled and I believe this is because it does all of the heavy lifting in messaging and whatever other app that is installed is just icing. Window dressing to make things look pretty, or provide some enhancement. In this case Samsung Messages would be the pre-installed app, and other apps like, Google Messages, Next SMS, Chomp SMS, are more like interfaces or UIs. to Samsung's Messages.

I would try clearing the cache for your Samsung Messages app. Settings>Apps>Samsung Messages>Force Stop (if possible)>Storage>Clear Cache.

As far as the other items Gemini talks about I might go along with except you've tried multiple apps and the odds that old message delete would be turned on in each one and then would also appear to act sporadically are low. The same with it being a storage issue.

I did try that with no success. I even did a factory reset and thought I was good for a bit and then it happened again 2 while I was sleeping last night on 2 different threads.

I have tried using Beeper so that the streams would be saved online but it actually shows that the messages were deleted. Not sure how that could happen while I was sleeping.

 

[mustang7757]

In Google messages you gave this enabled? Also does anyone besides you have access to your device?

 

[Sportschicfla]

In Google messages you gave this enabled? Also does anyone besides you have access to your device?

I used to have it on but turned it off. And no one has access to my phone but me.

 

[mustang7757]

I used to have it on but turned it off. And no one has access to my phone but me.

You have an usual problem, any app cleaners, virus you use on your device?

 

[VidJunky]

Sorry I'm not on everyday.

You say you lost messages the other night, just a few questions about that.

How old were those messages?

You say it was different threads, how many messages are in these threads? Are they roughly the same number in each?

How old would you estimate the missing messages were? And were they the most recent messages in those threads?

Without your answers I'm still pretty lost but it sounds like there is an app behind this. Not sure how that is possible but if from a factory reset state with everything freshly installed and it still happens seems like the issue is following you, which is remanent of installing a bad app after a fresh reset. The unusual thing is the selective nature of the message removal. Why those two messages? Did they share anything? Where they both SMS or MMS? Did they include pics, or attachments of any kind?

Let us know what you find.

 

[Sportschicfla]

You have an usual problem, any app cleaners, virus you use on your device?

No other issues. No viruses found. Samsung even said the virus protection software may have been the issue so I didn't put it on when I did the factory reset...still no luck.

 

[Sportschicfla]

Sorry I'm not on everyday.

You say you lost messages the other night, just a few questions about that.

How old were those messages?

You say it was different threads, how many messages are in these threads? Are they roughly the same number in each?

How old would you estimate the missing messages were? And were they the most recent messages in those threads?

Without your answers I'm still pretty lost but it sounds like there is an app behind this. Not sure how that is possible but if from a factory reset state with everything freshly installed and it still happens seems like the issue is following you, which is remanent of installing a bad app after a fresh reset. The unusual thing is the selective nature of the message removal. Why those two messages? Did they share anything? Where they both SMS or MMS? Did they include pics, or attachments of any kind?

Let us know what you find.

They were the most recent messages. I'd see them either in the chat or preview and then they would be gone when I would look for them next. The threads have all been different lengths. Some short and some longer ones. They were just texts, never an attachment.

When I did the factory reset I was very careful as to what apps that I put on. They were on added through the Play Store and they were only know apps that had all been on long before this issue started. I also removed quite a few apps that I didn't use often. Additionally, when this started I hadn't added any apps in recent months...

 

[mustang7757]

No other issues. No viruses found. Samsung even said the virus protection software may have been the issue so I didn't put it on when I did the factory reset...still no luck.

Ok so no app cleaners or antivirus program on the device

 

[Sportschicfla]

Ok so no app cleaners or antivirus program on the device

Only the Samsung optimizer that comes on the phone.

 

[VidJunky]

In your reply it sounds like you are not opening the app to view the message but are viewing the message either as a pop-up, like in a bubble, or a preview in the notification shade. Could you be swiping these messages away an deleting the message by accident? It sounds like an accidental deletion, I mean, most recent message, able to read it once not in the app, not there when you "go into the app" to review the message, you've not just restarted the device but factory reset it... Just feels like the message being deleted after viewing.

Of course, on the other hand it sounds like a rouge app too. Everything working fine after a restart of the device or factory reset, then it suddenly starts, like an app was opened or started, after that it keeps happening again and again...

I'm hoping for the former.

 

[Sportschicfla]

In your reply it sounds like you are not opening the app to view the message but are viewing the message either as a pop-up, like in a bubble, or a preview in the notification shade. Could you be swiping these messages away an deleting the message by accident? It sounds like an accidental deletion, I mean, most recent message, able to read it once not in the app, not there when you "go into the app" to review the message, you've not just restarted the device but factory reset it... Just feels like the message being deleted after viewing.

Of course, on the other hand it sounds like a rouge app too. Everything working fine after a restart of the device or factory reset, then it suddenly starts, like an app was opened or started, after that it keeps happening again and again...

I'm hoping for the former.

So they have been messages I have seen and viewed in a thread as well as ones I have seen the notifications for but hadn't gotten around to open them. Once I open the thread, they are gone.

As I was meticulous about the apps that I added when I did a factory reset, and the fact that my husband at one point was having a similar issue if not the same on his s22 ultra I find that's probably not the case.

 

[VidJunky]

I had all but forgot your mention of your husband's S22 having similar issues, which is interesting. If changing apps worked for him it's odd that it doesn't work for you. I'm trying to think of how, if at all, these things tie into one another and what commonalities they might share.

Given that your device is an S23 I also have to assume that you've owned this device for a while before this and the issue started recently or you would have been here sooner, but JTBS (just to be sure), How long have you had this device? How long ago did you notice this issue? Do you remember any updates around that time?

Although factory resetting should have the same or perhaps even a greater impact, I would ask that you try clearing your phone's partition cache. It could be possible that it's still corrupt even after the FR. IDK but I guess it could be possible. To do that follow these instructions.

To clear the cache partition on a Samsung Galaxy S23, you can do the following: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

1. Press and hold the Side key and the Volume Up button
2. Release the Side key when the phone turns on
3. Continue holding the Volume Up button until the phone enters Reboot Mode
4. Use the Volume Down button to select Wipe cache partition
5. Use the Power button to select Yes
6. Use the Side key to execute
7. The phone will display "Cache wipe complete"
8. Use the Power or Side button to reboot the system

Clearing the cache partition removes existing cached data, but it doesn't erase any personal data. The cached data will be automatically rebuilt as you use the phone. [3, 6]
You can also clear the cache for a single app by going to Settings, then Apps, then selecting the app, then Storage, and then Clear cache. [7]

Beyond that I'm at a loss. You've changed carriers, apps, cleared app caches, factory reset your device, the only thing missing would be this and at that point you've tried everything except a new device.

 

[Sportschicfla]

Ok so here's the latest update...I tried switching providers in case it was a provider issue....problem persists. I tried purchasing a new phone, same problem. I removed a bunch of apps. Did a factory reset. Same problem. I ran an antivirus program. Messages still disappearing. HELP! I can't keep having this happen as it is impacting my business.

 

[B. Diddy]

Do you ever notice the phone screen having turned on in your pocket, perhaps open to some app randomly? If so, perhaps the screen is turning on accidentally in your pocket and this is happening due to random touches? Granted, that would still be a longshot, since you're describing something that happens pretty often, which would make it pretty unlikely for it to be an accidental touch each time.

 

[Sportschicfla]

Do you ever notice the phone screen having turned on in your pocket, perhaps open to some app randomly? If so, perhaps the screen is turning on accidentally in your pocket and this is happening due to random touches? Granted, that would still be a longshot, since you're describing something that happens pretty often, which would make it pretty unlikely for it to be an accidental touch each time.

I wish that would be the case but sometimes it has been on my nightstand all night and I wake up and they are gone.

 

[VidJunky]

A new phone, that's extreme, but I understand.

While we're struggling to help you solve the cause behind the disappearances perhaps another course of action can help take the sting out. Being that these messages are important perhaps the next action should be capture. Have you considered using an app to backup your messages? Apps like MyBackUp Pro, allow scheduling of backups, including SMS and MMS. There are apps just for SMS and MMS backup too. By backing up the messages, on a regular schedule, every night, everyday at noon, both, or whatever you hopefully would be able to capture these messages before an event so even if they do go missing there is a record or backup of them.

You mentioned deleting apps, to try and head this off, are all of your apps from the Play Store or reputable places like that? No random online app store, side loaded APKs, or anything like that correct? I'm still struggling to conceive of how another app could reach across and affect your messaging app but something is happening.