How can I retrieve a missing text message thread that I didn't delete?

[iMore Question]

Good Morning, I keep all my text messages. This morning an entire thread is missing from just one person. I did not delete. I wish I had more details but the entire thread is gone. How can this happen? And can I get messages back?

 

[Rob Phillips]

Do you have Messages set to "Forever" under Settings > Messages > Message History > Keep Messages? If not that could be your problem. If the entire conversation is missing you can check another device to see if it's still there or restore from an earlier backup from before the conversation disappeared. Unless this was a particularly important conversation it will probably be much easier to simply move on.
For future reference, it's always a good practice to screenshot and save important messages.