When people suspect a partner of cheating, checking their phone is often the first instinct — but a clean message inbox doesn’t always mean nothing is happening. Australian influencer Skye Wheatley recently went viral on TikTok after revealing a built-in iPhone feature that allows users to view recently deleted messages, sparking a wave of online discussion and real-life “investigations.”
In her video, Wheatley shows that users simply need to open the Messages app, tap Edit in the top-left corner, then select Show Recently Deleted to view conversations deleted within the last 30 days. She warned followers to “check carefully and take responsibility for what you might find,” adding, “Don’t be naive, sis.” Wheatley, who recently confirmed her breakup with long-term partner Lachlan Waugh, stressed that the video was meant to “protect the girls,” not target her own situation.
Her TikTok quickly gained over a million views, with many commenters claiming the feature helped them uncover infidelity. Popular mom influencer Bella Messina also commented, saying, “I can vouch — this feature can be veeeerrry helpful.”
Users flooded the comments with their own discoveries: “This is how I found out he was messaging other girls,” “I was 40 weeks pregnant when I checked and found everything,” and “I thought his phone was clean — turns out he just hid things deeper.”
Professional private investigator Cassie Crofts told news.com.au that modern cheaters have become more sophisticated, with some switching to the iPhone Notes app to communicate secretly. By creating a shared note, two people can exchange messages, photos, and videos while editing or deleting content instantly — leaving no visible trace.
Crofts also pointed out an often-overlooked clue: the emoji keyboard. She recalled a client who noticed an eggplant emoji in her boyfriend’s frequently used list, despite never receiving one from him — and later confirmed he had been flirting with someone else. She advises that anyone who suspects wrongdoing should stay calm and gather evidence before confronting their partner.
