Does your heart sink every time you think about your ex? Do you obsessively check your phone, hoping he’ll call or text you? Do you miss his smile, his laugh, the way he held you in his arms?

If you’re longing to get your ex boyfriend back after the breakup, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there – wondering if our ex still loves us, wants us back, or if they’ve moved on for good.

The agonizing uncertainty can drive you crazy. You wish you could just know one way or another if reconciliation is possible.

Well today is your lucky day, because I’m going to reveal exactly how to know if your ex boyfriend will come back.

I’ll walk you through the 21 biggest signs and behaviors that signal he secretly wants you back. These are subtle clues most women miss completely until it’s too late.

Keep reading to discover if your ex boyfriend regrets letting you go. You’ll learn how to spot the hidden psychology behind the mixed signals. No more wasted energy pining and hoping without answers.

This is the definitive guide to how to know if your ex-boyfriend will come back after a breakup. The answers you’ve been dying for are just ahead.

How to know if your ex will come back

1. He Contacts You Frequently

One of the most obvious signs your ex wants you back is if he’s reaching out to you a lot. He may text or call you randomly just to chat or ask you about your day.

If he’s looking for flimsy excuses to talk to you, it means you’re still on his mind. As they say, actions speak louder than words.

If he really wanted you out of his life for good, he would avoid contacting you unnecessarily. The fact that he’s seeking you out shows he’s not over you yet.

He Gets Jealous When You Talk About Other Guys

If you mention going on dates with other guys, does your ex seem irritated or ask a lot of questions? His jealousy could be a sign he wants you back.

Your ex likely still has feelings for you if the thought of you with another man bothers him. He wouldn’t care so much if he was totally done with your relationship.

So his envious reactions to you moving on reveal he’s not ready to see you with someone else.

He Drunk Dials Or Texts You

Late night, drunken phone calls or texts from your ex also hint he’s still into you. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, so he may express lingering feelings or regrets about the breakup when intoxicated. The sentiments are coming from a truthful place in his mind. The fact that you’re on his mind when drinking shows he’s trying to fill the void from your breakup.

He Admits He Misses You

Perhaps the clearest sign your ex wants you back is if he actually tells you he misses you. He may say point blank that he made a mistake or that life isn’t the same without you.

Or he might confess he doesn’t feel whole since you parted ways. If he’s bold enough to admit he misses you and wants you in his life again, then it’s pretty certain he aims to reconcile.

Even if he doesn’t directly say he wants to get back together, expressing how much he misses you is a strong indicator.

He Follows And Watches Your Social Media Closely

Does he watch all your Instagram or Snapchat stories immediately after you post them?

Does he like and comment on all your Facebook posts? His eagerness to hungrily consume your social media shows you’re still on his radar.

Stalking your profiles could mean he misses you and craves a window into your life. It can also reveal desire to portray he still cares about you.

He Makes An Effort To See You In Person

Along the same lines, if your ex is going out of his way to see you face-to-face, the in-person contact is very telling.

He could suggest getting coffee to catch up or invites you to group outings with mutual friends.

If he acts super excited to run into you randomly, that enthusiasm demonstrates you’re still important to him.

Organizing get-togethers using flimsy justifications could be his attempt to sneak in quality time with you.

He Sends You Gifts Or Flowers

Gifts serve as another mode of reaching out with romantic intent. Unexpected presents, like your favorite coffee drink or bouquet of flowers, signal that you’re on his mind.

He may send them on holidays, like your birthday or Valentine’s Day, under the guise of a friendly gesture.

But gift-giving in general hints he’s looking for ways to do nice things for you.

It shows that while he broke up with you, he still wants you to feel special.

He Gets Defensive If You Criticize Him

Does your ex get extra sensitive or irritated if you complain about him or things he did wrong during the relationship?

His defensiveness may stem from lingering feelings. Unaffected exes wouldn’t care or react much to criticism.

The fact that your commentary elicits an emotional response like anger demonstrates he’s not over you yet.

It means he values your opinions of him and wants another chance to improve.

He Seems Like A Mess Or Less Happy Without You

Have friends mentioned your ex seems depressed or not himself since the breakup?

If people close to him think he’s struggling or acting different without you, it’s likely he’s having a hard time moving on.

You may even notice your ex’s social media paints a picture of someone trying their best to appear happy, but not quite getting there.

His obvious change in mood and demeanor can be a sign you fulfill him in ways no one else does yet.

He Gets In Touch On Holidays And Special Occasions

Exes who have moved on entirely probably won’t go out of their way to text you on your birthday or Christmas morning.

So if your ex sends holiday and celebration wishes, he still wants to be part of your big life moments.

These “milestone texts” are a simple way your ex can stay connected when something significant happens.

It’s a sneaky attempt to remind you he exists so you’ll contact him back.

He Asks To Meet Up For Closure

Don’t be surprised if your ex asks to meet up to “talk things out” or “get closure.” It’s a common ploy to conveniently get face time with you again.

If he missed you a lot, the guise of closure could motivate him to pursue a meet up. The premise gives him a solid excuse to see and speak with you.

And it opens the door for him to confess he wants you back.

If he had no interest in reconciling, he likely wouldn’t feel the need to formally close things out.

He Contacts You On Special Days Like Birthdays Or Holidays

Similar to the milestone texting, effortful outreach on birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries signals you remain important to your ex.

He likely recalls your special days together fondly if he voluntarily remembers them when they come around again.

Exes who have zero lingering attachment typically don’t put in work to wish you well or celebrate big occasions once you’re not together anymore.

The fact that he commemorates past memories on significant calendar dates says volumes.

He Asks Friends And Family About You

This ties into the sent and received word through your support circle. Have your best friends reported that your ex has been asking them questions about you?

Maybe he reaches out to your siblings or parents too. If he’s seeking intel through your loved ones, it demonstrates a desire to stay updated on your life.

He obviously cares about what you’re up to if he’s monitoring your activity through mutual friends.

It also shows he wants to keep your inner circle on his side in case he has a chance again.

He Dresses Better When He Knows He’ll See You

If your ex mysteriously looks extra attractive, put together, and sharply dressed whenever he knows you’ll be present, his appearance efforts aren’t coincidental.

It’s likely intentional to get your attention and impress you. He wants to remind you what you’re missing out on by showing up looking his best.

His enhanced presentation illustrates attempts to continue pursuing you.

He aims to highlight all his appealing qualities in hopes of luring you back into his web.

He Gets Defensive When You Start Dating Somebody New

We briefly covered getting jealous over other romantic prospects. Similarly, your ex may get annoyed, competitive, or make snippy remarks if you begin dating someone new.

He’ll feel threatened by the replacement after believing he still had a chance of winning you back. His territorial response hints that he’s not ready for you to be in another relationship.

Your ex likely imagined he could buy more time to try reconciling down the road.

When that possibility looks to be going away, he reveals his true feelings via his irritation.

He Keeps In Touch With Your Family And Friends

In addition to asking about you, consistent contact with your inner circle illustrates your ex wants to stay in your orbit.

If he remains close with your siblings, parents, and best friends, he’s ensuring he doesn’t become fully cut off.

Remaining in communication with your family shows desire to still feel connected. And chatting with your friends allows him to periodically check in on you without directly reaching out.

He aims to stay part of your life indirectly if he can’t be with you directly.

He Gets You Gifts That Have Sentimental Value

Thoughtful presents that show he pays attention to your likes can signify feelings too. Beyond generic gift cards and flowers, does your ex give you gifts with deeper sentiment?

Like your favorite book, candy you loved, his high school sweatshirt, or inside joke souvenirs? Those types of presents demonstrate he’s reflecting on memories and things you appreciate.

Attempting to win you back through gifts catered specifically to your interests is a huge sign.

He Frequently Likes And Comments On Your Posts

We touched on watching all your social media activity, but actively liking and commenting frequently is another hint.

Responding enthusiastically to much of your content shows he prioritizes staying noticed. He wants to stand out constantly amongst your followers.

Exes who have moved on typically wouldn’t bother keeping up that level of engagement across channels.

The effort he puts in to maintain constant contact through social media says he’s vying for your attention.

He Sends You Playlists Of Songs That Remind Him Of You

Music can powerfully conjure emotions and memories. When your ex sends you customized playlists of songs they claim remind them of you or your relationship, it demonstrates longing.

He likely spends time thinking about your songs and experiences if he compiled a deliberate setlist.

Sending the collection also reveals vulnerability, because he’s confessing you’re still on his mind through the lyrics.

The musical gesture signals he’s feeling nostalgic about you.

He Uses Any Excuse To Touch You Or Get Close Physically

Does your ex always seem to find reasons to initiate physical contact with you?

Maybe he goes in for hugs, sits close to you on the couch, or puts his hand on your arm when speaking.

Frequent excuses for physical touch definitely mean he craves that intimacy again. Getting too handsy could also indicate desire to rekindle more than friendship.

Pay attention if he can’t seem to keep his distance.

He Opens Up To You About His New Relationships Or Dates

Has your ex started oversharing details about his dating life and new connections since you broke up? That likely isn’t coincidental either.

Opening up about intimate topics he’d normally keep private signifies he wants you back in his world. He may hope to evoke jealousy by flaunting prospects he’s meeting.

Or he might try showing vulnerability by confessing he hasn’t found anyone who compares to you yet. Either way, sharing that personal information demonstrates you’re still his confidante.

He Makes Promises Of Future Plans If You Get Back Together

When trying to convince you to reconcile, your ex may make big pledges about changes he’ll make.

He could promise things like planning more dates, meeting your family, moving in together, or taking big trips if you give him another chance.

Dangling major life commitments and sacrifices as bargaining chips reveals just how eager he is.

He’s willing to go above and beyond expectations if it means winning you over. Of course, only believe actions rather than empty words.

But significant assurances at least prove his serious intentions.

He Struggles To Let Go Of Your Things After The Breakup

When you parted ways, did your ex seem very reluctant to return your belongings?

Does he drag his feet giving back your stuff months later? Holding onto objects that remind him of you demonstrates attachment.

Either he wants an excuse to see you, or he can’t bear to part with your things yet.

Keeping your shirts, gifts from your parents, or even your toothbrush are signs he doesn’t want to close the book on your relationship entirely.

He Talks About The Future And You Being In It

Along the lines of making bold commitments, your ex projecting you into his future plans says a lot too.

Offhand comments like talking about a concert he wants to see “next year when we get back together” or a vacation he hopes you’ll join him on are quite revealing.

Visualizing you by his side down the road shows he believes reconciliation is inevitable. He assumes or hopes you’ll be together despite the present circumstances.

Read His Signals: How Your Ex’s Behavior Reveals His True Feelings

Ultimately, all relationships and breakups are unique. There’s no foolproof way to know if your ex boyfriend will want to rekindle things.

But paying attention to his behaviors, conversations, and interactions with you can provide useful insight.

If he’s demonstrating several of these telltale signs, the chances he’s missing you and rethinking the split are high.

Those clues suggest he’s struggling to get over you entirely. And they indicate desire to be part of your world again, whether he admits it directly or not.

Have you noticed your ex exhibiting some of these revealing behaviors?