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Contacting your cell phone provider is a good option if you want to retrieve lost text messages. Most cell phone service providers can help you get the text message logs from your account; however, some providers don't save the actual messages for privacy reasons.

IMessages are not in your text log regardless of how they are sent.

Usage info may not be available while we're processing your bill. Usage generated near the end of a bill period may not show up until the next bill period. Additional delays of up to 60 days are possible if the usage takes place outside the U.S.

The Bottom Line If you need deleted text messages for legal purposes, in situations of crime and the sort, some cellphone providers can provide you with the content of the messages upon request; however, most companies do not keep text message records.

Generally, texts and emails are private. Thus, you don't have a right to look at them without your spouse's consent. Doing so is viewed as an invasion of privacy. It doesn't matter whether you are married, separated or divorced.

Based upon the language and policies behind the Wiretap Act, accessing and sharing text messages requires the consent of at least one party for the disclosure of text messages sent between cellphones.

If you backup or synchronize your phone to iCloud then anybody who has the details for that account, or even has their phone connected to the same account (a family member, for example), could potentially see your personal text messages.

Text message records must be obtained from a party's cell phone provider. An attorney can obtain a court order or subpoena to get the records directly from the service provider.