How to Search Text Messages on iPhone is straightforward once you use the current iPhone controls. The exact wording can vary slightly by iOS version, carrier, and iPhone model.
- Open the Messages app.
- Use the Search field or Search button, depending on your iOS version and layout.
- Enter a person, phone number, word, phrase, link, photo subject, or other detail from the conversation.
- Tap a result to jump to that part of the conversation.
If a message was deleted, ordinary Messages search will not bring it back. Check Recently Deleted if the deletion was recent and the message is still recoverable.