iMessage: recent messages missing from ONE conversation thread, but visible in search and shared media (iOS 18)
Device: iPhone 16
iOS version: 18
Messages in iCloud: On
Other devices on this Apple ID: none
THE PROBLEM
About a week ago, new messages in one specific conversation stopped appearing in the thread. Older messages in that conversation display normally, but everything from roughly a week ago onward is missing from the thread view. Other conversations are fine.
The data is still on the phone:
- Searching keywords from the recent messages returns them in Messages search.
- Photos and other media from that period still show in the conversation's details/shared media.
- Tapping a search result opens the old thread, but the message doesn't appear inside it.
- New messages from this contact keep disappearing from the thread the same way.
WHAT I'VE TRIED
- Restarted the iPhone
- Toggled iMessage off and on
- Toggled Messages in iCloud sync off/on
- Checked Recently Deleted
- Checked Contacts for duplicate cards / a second thread for the same person
- Checked Settings > Messages > Send & Receive for a duplicated number
- Contacted Apple Support, who were unable to resolve it
I have NOT deleted the thread, because I don't want to lose the messages.
MY THEORY
The messages seem to be saved but linked to a broken or mismatched chat record, so the thread view doesn't display them. It may have started after the other person changed phones, numbers, or Apple Account settings, though I can't confirm that.
QUESTIONS
1. Has anyone seen this and found a fix that doesn't involve deleting the thread?
2. Did updating iOS (iOS 26) resolve it for you?
3. Is there a safe way to rebuild or relink a single conversation without losing the messages?
I've seen similar reports on this forum, but none with a confirmed fix. Thanks in advance for any help.