Guides / Texting
How to see and restore deleted text conversations
In Onyx Phone, deleting a text conversation hides it from Messages but never erases it. Account admins can see every deleted conversation on a line, who deleted it and when, read it, and restore it with one click. This guide also shows how to choose whether everyone or only admins can delete texts.
Before you start
- You need to be an account admin. Teammates don't see deleted conversations.
Step 1. Open a line's deleted texts
- Step 1.a In the left menu, click Messages.
- Step 1.b Find the line's heading and click Deleted texts at its right.
- Step 1.c Read the list. Each deleted conversation shows the number, when it was deleted and by whom, and how many texts it holds.
Step 2. Restore a conversation
- Step 2.a Click a deleted conversation to read it first, if you like.
- Step 2.b Click Restore next to the conversation. It returns to Messages for everyone on the line, and to the phone apps on their next sync.
Step 3. Choose who can delete texts
- Step 3.a Click your initials at the top right of the screen, then click Team.
- Step 3.b Click Deleting texts to open the setting.
- Step 3.c Tick the box to let everyone on a line delete its conversations, or clear it so only admins can.
- Step 3.d Click Save.
Questions and answers
Are deleted texts gone for good?
No. Onyx Phone never erases texts. Deleting a conversation only hides it, and an admin can restore it at any time from Deleted texts.
If a customer texts again after I delete the conversation, what happens?
Their new text starts a fresh conversation in Messages. The deleted texts stay hidden until an admin restores them, which joins them back into the conversation.
Can teammates see deleted texts?
No. Only account admins see Deleted texts and can restore conversations.
How do I stop teammates from deleting texts?
Open Team, click Deleting texts, clear the box, and click Save. Then only admins can delete conversations, on the web and in the apps.
Does deleting a conversation stop the number from texting us?
No. To stop a number from reaching you, block it. See Block numbers.
Related guides
- How to send and receive business texts from your computerText customers from your business number in any browser. Start a text, reply, send photos, mark texts read or unread, and delete or block a number.
- How to text customers from the Onyx Phone appText customers from your business number on iPhone or Android. Pick a line, search, start a text, send photos, call back, block, or delete a conversation.
- How to invite teammates and choose which lines they answerInvite teammates to Onyx Phone by email or in bulk, choose the lines each person answers, give extensions, let them call each other, or remove someone.
- How to block spam calls and texts on your business numberBlock spam calls and texts on your business lines. Block on one line or all, choose what blocked callers hear, block hidden caller ID, and unblock.
Getting started
- Create a login and pick a plan. Checkout saves a card for the 7-day free trial, and nothing is charged until it ends.
- Confirm your business and its 911 address, and get a local number on the spot. Bringing your own number? You answer on a temporary one while it moves over, for free.
- Choose where calls ring, write what callers hear, invite your team, and register for texting. Then answer in the browser, the iPhone and Android apps, or a desk phone. How it works has the details.
Screens change as we improve Onyx Phone; we last checked this guide on November 6, 2026. The screenshots show a made-up business. Markdown version · All guides · Contact us