[4 Ways] How to Delete Text Messages on iPhone 16/15/14/13/12

If you find yourself overwhelmed with a plethora of messages on your iPhone, don't worry. This guide will explain how to delete text messages on iPhone with four effective methods.

Demi by Demi Updated November 1, 2024
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Text messages are an integral part of our daily communication, but as our message history grows, it becomes necessary to manage and delete messages to free up storage space on our iPhone.

delete text messages on iphone

Here in this guide, we will cover 4 ways of how to delete text messages on iPhone in different ways to fully satisfy your needs. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Warm tip: Prior to deleting messages from your iPhone, it is advisable to selectively backup text messages on iPhone in advance.

Part 1. How to delete text messages on iPhone 16/15/14/13/12

Removing text messages from your iPhone is a simple and expeditious approach. Follow the methods outlined below to delete messages from your iPhone according to your needs.

Way 1. Delete single text messages
The procedures below can be used if you wonder how to delete individual text messages on iPhone while keeping the other messages in the conversation.

Step 1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone. Tap the conversation that has the messages you want to delete in it.

Step 2. Tap and hold the message you want to delete until the menu pops up. Then, tap More.

Step 3. Check the messages you’d like to delete. Finally, tap Delete x Messages to delete unwanted messages from your iPhone.

delete selected messages

Way 2. Delete entire text message conversations
To delete an entire conversation in the Messages app, you need to follow a different set of steps. When you have located the conversation you wish to delete in the Messages app, you can follow these steps to make it:

Step 1. Swipe from right to left across the conversation you want to delete. A Trash or Delete option should appear according to the iOS version your iPhone using. Tap on it.

Step 2. A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap Delete to confirm the deletion.

If you change your mind and decide not to delete the conversation, you can tap Cancel instead.

delete a conversation

Way 3. Auto-delete old text messages
Deleting messages from your iPhone does not always mean they are permanently gone. They may still be recoverable. If you want to ensure the complete erasure of messages, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to the Settings app from the homepage and select Messages.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap Keep Messages under MESSAGE HISTORY. There are three options: 30 Days, 1 Year, and Forever.

auto delete messages

You can choose to delete all messages older than 30 days or all messages older than a year. This will permanently delete the messages from your iPhone.

Part 2. [One-click] How to delete all messages on iPhone

Introducing FoneTool, the revolutionary software that will transform the way you manage your iPhone data. With its sleek design and cutting-edge technology, FoneTool offers a seamless solution for managing your text messages. Say goodbye to cluttered inboxes and hello to organized communication.

FoneTool's intuitive interface allows you to effortlessly delete all your text messages in just a few simple steps. Step into a world of efficiency and freedom with FoneTool. Choose FoneTool and take control of your messaging experience today.

⚡⚡⚡ Video Tutorial for Deleting All Message on iPhone via FoneTool

How to delete all messages on iPhone
Step 1. Download FoneTool and install it on your computer. Connect your iPhone to computer with USB. You may need to tap Trust on iPhone to let computer access it.

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Step 2. Launch FoneTool, and click Toolbox from its left pane > Data Eraser > Mouse over to Erase private data and click Get Started.

erase private dara

Step 3. Check Messages from the list > If needed, you can check Enable Deep Erase Technology for deeply erase > Click Start Erase to confirm.

start erase messages

FAQs about deleted messages on iPhone

Q1: Will deleting text messages also delete them from iCloud backups?
A1: Deleting text messages from your iPhone does not automatically delete them from your iCloud backups. If you want to remove messages from iCloud backups as well, you can disable the Messages toggle within the iCloud backup settings or perform a fresh backup after deleting the messages.

Q2: Can I recover deleted text messages on my iPhone?
A2: If you have recently deleted text messages, you can recover them from the "Recently Deleted" folder within the specified retention period. However, once the messages are permanently deleted from that folder, they cannot be easily recovered without backups or using specialized software like AOMEI Data Recovery for iOS.

Just in case, you can head to this guide to: Recover deleted text messages from iPhone without backup in one-click.

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Q3. How do I hide messages on my iPhone?
A3: To make message private, go to Settings Notifications Messages > Show Previews and select Never or Off according to the iOS version.

To turn off lock screen notifications, go to Settings Notifications Messages and tap Lock Screen.

Summary

That’s all for how to delete text messages on iPhone. Whether you prefer to delete a single conversation, or entire messages, or permanently erase messages, the methods discussed above provide you with different options.

Additionally, utilizing third-party software like FoneTool offers a convenient one-click solution for efficient message backup and deletion. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this article, you can easily delete text messages on your iPhone 14/13/12, ensuring optimal storage capacity and a clutter-free messaging experience.

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