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How to Delete Messages on Apple Messages

Using iOS devices and Macs, you can delete messages either one at a time, whole conversations at a time, or routinely (i.e. automatically every month) by following just a few simple steps. Open the Messages app.
Method 1 of 7:

Deleting a Single Conversation on iOS

  1. How to Delete Messages on Apple Messages Picture 1How to Delete Messages on Apple Messages Picture 1
    Open the Messages app.
  2. How to Delete Messages on Apple Messages Picture 2How to Delete Messages on Apple Messages Picture 2
    Swipe left on the conversation you wish to delete.
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    Tap Delete. The conversation and all its messages are now deleted.
Method 2 of 7:

Deleting Multiple Conversations on iOS

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    Open the Messages app.
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    Tap Edit. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
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    Tap the buttons left of the conversations you wish to delete.
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    Tap Delete. It's in the lower-right corner of the screen. The selected conversations and all their messages are now deleted.
Method 3 of 7:

Deleting Individual Messages on iOS

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    Open the Messages app.
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    Tap a conversation.
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    Tap and hold on a message you wish to delete.
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    Tap More.
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    Tap buttons left of the messages you wish to delete.
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    Tap the trash can icon. It's in the lower left corner of the screen. All selected messages have been deleted.
    1. Tap Delete All in the upper-left corner if you want to delete all the messages in the conversation.
Method 4 of 7:

Setting Messages to Delete Automatically on iOS

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    Open the Settings app. It's a gray icon containing gears.
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    Tap Messages.
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    Tap Keep Messages.
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    Tap a time period. You can choose to keep messages for 30 days, 1 year, or forever. If you choose 30 days or 1 year, messages will be automatically deleted after the chosen time period.
Method 5 of 7:

Deleting a Conversation on Desktop

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    Open the Messages application.
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    Hover the cursor over the conversation you wish to delete. The conversations are listed on the left side of the of the window.
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    Click on "X". It will appear just below the time stamp.
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    Click on Delete. The messages in the conversation are now deleted.
    1. Repeat for all messages you wish to delete.
Method 6 of 7:

Deleting Individual Messages on Desktop

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    Open the Messages application.
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    Click on a conversation.
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    Click on a message you wish to delete.
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    Tap the delete key.
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    Click on Delete. The selected message has been deleted.
Method 7 of 7:

Setting Messages to Delete Automatically on Desktop

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    Open the Messages application.
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    Click on Messages. It in the left corner of the menu bar.
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    Click on Preferences.
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    Uncheck the box next to "Save history when conversations are closed."
  5. Click on the red button. It's in the upper-left corner of the dialog box. Conversations not stored on iCloud will be deleted from your Mac when you close them.
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