[3 Ways] How to Erase Messages on iPhone

Are you looking for a way to delete all messages on iPhone? If your answer is yes, this guide must be worth reading. In this guide, you will be given 3 ways of how to erase messages on iPhone.

Demi by Demi Updated November 1, 2024
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Our iPhones have become the primary means of communication in our daily lives, leading to an accumulation of countless text messages over time. To ensure privacy and declutter your device, it's essential to know how to erase messages on iPhone effectively.

delete messages on iphone

Whether you want to selectively delete messages, clear entire conversations, or permanently wipe messages, this article will provide a step-by-step guide to help you manage your messages on an iPhone.

1# How to erase messages on iPhone with FoneTool

FoneTool is a powerful data management tool designed to help users efficiently manage their iOS devices. It offers a convenient one-click solution to erase messages and other private data securely.

★ With just a click, FoneTool can effortlessly delete all messages and iMessages from your iPhone, making them unrecoverable and saving your valuable time.
★ Before deletion, you can also utilize FoneTool’s selective backup function to backup text messages on iPhone to computer, USB, etc. in advance just in case you need them in the future.

Now, free download FoneTool to your computer and let’s see how to erase text messages on iPhone using these steps.

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Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer using USB > Open FoneTool, and click Toolbox > Choose Data Eraser.

choose data eraser

Step 2. From the options provided, choose Erase private data, and click Get Started under it. This will allow you to target specific files.

erase private data

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

2# How to clear messages on iPhone Messages app

There is no doubt that the most direct way to delete messages from iPhone is in the iPhone Messages app. The Messages app on your iPhone provides a direct way to clear individual messages or entire conversations. Follow these steps to know how to delete all iMessages on iPhone:

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

Repeat the swipe and tap operations listed above, you can erase all messages on iPhone. You are also given options to delete unwanted messages and auto-delete old text messages. If needed, keep reading this part.

Delete single text messages
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 select messages

Auto-delete old text messages
You are able to auto-delete text messages so that your Message app won’t be in a mess in the future.

To auto-delete old text messages, go to the Settings app > Select Messages > Scroll down to choose Keep Messages > Choose to delete all messages older than 30 days or a year.

auto delete messages

3# How to delete messages on iPhone permanently by iCloud backup

iCloud offers the option to back up your messages, allowing you to restore them if needed. However, if you wish to delete messages permanently and prevent them from being included in future backups, here are how to erase messages on iPhone.

Step 1. Open Settings app. Locate and tap on your name to enter the iCloud settings.

Step 2. Within the iCloud section, you will find an option called Manage Storage. Tap on it.

Step 3. Look for the specific category labeled Messages. Once you find it, tap on it.

Step 4. In this section, you will see an option called Disable & Delete. Tap on it.

Step 5. By choosing this option, both your iMessage and messages stored in your iCloud will be permanently deleted.

delete messages icloud

Summary & FAQs

Efficiently managing your messages on your iPhone is essential for maintaining privacy and keeping your device clutter-free. In this comprehensive guide, we explored three effective methods for how to erase messages on iPhone.

By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this article, you can confidently manage your messages on your iPhone, ensuring your privacy and maintaining a streamlined messaging experience.

FAQs

Q1: Will erasing messages on my iPhone remove them from the recipient's device?
A1: No, erasing messages on your iPhone will only delete them from your device. They will still remain on the recipient's device unless they delete the messages themselves.

Q2: How can I ensure that erased messages are permanently unrecoverable?
A2: To ensure erased messages are unrecoverable, consider using third-party software like FoneTool that overwrites the deleted data or restoring your iPhone to factory settings.

Q3: Will erasing messages also delete any attachments or media shared within the conversation?
A3: Yes, when you erase a conversation containing attachments or media, those files will also be deleted along with the messages.

Q4: Does erasing messages on my iPhone affect my iCloud backup?
A4: Yes, erasing messages on your iPhone will reflect in your iCloud backup. The erased messages will be removed from the backup during the next synchronization.

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