How to Delete Text Messages From an iPhone

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Easily erase messages and conversations
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This wikiHow teaches you how to delete messages from the Messages app on an iPhone.

How to Delete Messages on iPhone

  1. Delete a single conversation by swiping left on it on the Messages app.
  2. Tap and hold a single text message to select it and press delete.
  3. Select multiple messages by tapping on them after entering selection mode.
  4. Press “Edit” in the top right corner of the screen to select multiple conversations to delete.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Deleting Messages

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  1. Do this by tapping the white speech bubble on a green background icon. It should be on one of your Home screens.
  2. If you're already in a conversation, you can tap < in the top left corner of your screen to return to the Messages menu.
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  3. Mobile phone repair specialist Josef Storzi suggests "pressing on the message you want to delete and holding it until a small menu pops up."
  4. According to mobile phone repair specialist Josef Storzi, "There should be a more option in the pop-up menu at the bottom of the screen."
  5. The one you selected initially will be selected by default. A blue checkmark will appear by any messages you select. [1]
  6. According to mobile phone repair specialist Josef Storzi, "This is in the bottom left corner of your screen."
  7. Your selected message will be deleted immediately. Storzi advises that "you can also delete the entire messages thread by clicking delete all from the top left corner."
    • If you're deleting multiple messages, this option will say something like Delete 5 Messages .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Deleting Entire Conversations

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  1. Do this by tapping the white speech bubble on a green background icon. It should be on one of your Home screens.
  2. Mobile phone repair specialist Josef Storzi suggests "using your finger to swipe from right to left. A red trash can icon will appear after you do this."
  3. According to Storzi, "Tapping this button will delete the entire conversation that you selected."
    • If you downloaded any media from the conversation to your Camera Roll, it will still be stored there.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Deleting Multiple Conversations

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  1. Do this by tapping the white speech bubble on a green background icon. It should be on one of your Home screens.
  2. This is in the top left corner of the Messages screen.
    • If you have a conversation open, tap < in the top left corner of the screen to return to the Messages menu.
    • You can also press on two message threads at the same time. When you do that, you'll see circles pop up next to all of your message threads. [2]
  3. Tap on the circles to select each thread. [3]
    • You can also select all message threads quickly by holding down your finger on one of the blank circles and dragging your finger down in a straight line over the rest of the circles. All of the circles you swipe your finger down on will now be selected. [4]
  4. This is in the bottom right corner of your screen. Your selected messages should now be gone.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you delete multiple conversations at once from an iPhone?
    Josef Storzi
    Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist
    Josef Storzi is an Apple and Mobile Phone Repair Specialist and the Owner of Imobile LA, a mobile phone repair company based in Los Angeles, California. Josef specializes in repairing screens, charging ports, batteries, water damage, speakers, and microphones on all mobile phone brands including Apple, Samsung, LG, Nokia, and Sony. He also specializes in tablet, laptop, and computer repairs as well as the pros and cons of recent mobile software updates.
    Josef Storzi
    Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Navigate to the homepage of your messages app, then use two fingers to press gently on two message threads at the same time. You'll see circles pop up next to all of your message threads. Click on the circles for the messages you wish to delete, or swipe down over the circles to quickly select several message threads at once. Once you've selected the messages you want to delete, press "Delete," located on the bottom right.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    How do you delete a whole conversation?
    Josef Storzi
    Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist
    Josef Storzi is an Apple and Mobile Phone Repair Specialist and the Owner of Imobile LA, a mobile phone repair company based in Los Angeles, California. Josef specializes in repairing screens, charging ports, batteries, water damage, speakers, and microphones on all mobile phone brands including Apple, Samsung, LG, Nokia, and Sony. He also specializes in tablet, laptop, and computer repairs as well as the pros and cons of recent mobile software updates.
    Josef Storzi
    Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Navigate to the homepage of your messages app and use your finger to swipe from right to left. A red trash can will appear. Click on it to delete the entire conversation you selected.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question
    How do you delete individual messages from an iPhone?
    Josef Storzi
    Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist
    Josef Storzi is an Apple and Mobile Phone Repair Specialist and the Owner of Imobile LA, a mobile phone repair company based in Los Angeles, California. Josef specializes in repairing screens, charging ports, batteries, water damage, speakers, and microphones on all mobile phone brands including Apple, Samsung, LG, Nokia, and Sony. He also specializes in tablet, laptop, and computer repairs as well as the pros and cons of recent mobile software updates.
    Josef Storzi
    Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    First, open the specific message you want to delete and press on it with our finger. A small menu will appear. From there, click "More," then on the bottom left you'll see a trash can icon. Select that icon to delete any of the messages that have a blue checkmark to the left of them. You can also delete all the messages in that thread by selecting the "Delete All" button.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • You can delete Digital Touch messages, pictures, videos, and attachments the same way you delete regular text messages.
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      • If you only want to delete one message from your Messages app, you can swipe left over the message's bar and tap Delete to do so.
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      • When selecting messages for deletion, you can tap Delete All in the top left corner of your screen to clear a conversation.
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      References

      1. ↑ Josef Storzi. Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 December 2020.
      2. ↑ Josef Storzi. Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 December 2020.
      3. ↑ Josef Storzi. Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 December 2020.
      4. ↑ Josef Storzi. Apple & Mobile Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 December 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Messages .
      2. Open a conversation.
      3. Tap and hold a text.
      4. Select More... .
      5. Select each message you wish to delete.
      6. Tap the trash can icon.
      7. Tap Delete Message .

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      Reader Success Stories

      • J. McCann

        Sep 16, 2016

        "Didn't know about the press and hold option. In the past, I was able to delete by double tapping on the item ..." more
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