5 Fixes to Text Messages Won’t Delete on iPhone iOS 16/17/18

When you are unable to delete text message on iPhone directly, it appears to be due to a problem with your provider or possibly with the services, although messages may become trapped at times.

Whether you needed to save storage space on your iPhone or simply clean out your inbox, it has always been a wise choice to continually track your messages, including those that you haven't really needed.

Although it is frustrating that text messages won’t delete on iPhone iOS 16/17, there are a few solutions that allow you to effortlessly delete your text messages.

Why Can’t You Delete a Text Message on Your iPhone?

Before troubleshooting, it’s important to understand the potential reasons behind this issue. Several factors could prevent you from deleting text messages on your iPhone:

❌ Software Glitches: Minor bugs and glitches in iOS can interfere with the normal functioning of your device, including the ability to delete text messages.
❌ Corrupted Data: Sometimes, corrupted data within the Messages app can prevent the deletion of messages.
❌ Syncing Problems with iCloud: If your messages are synced with iCloud, a syncing issue could cause problems when trying to delete them.
❌ Restrictions and Permissions: In some cases, restrictions or permissions settings may prevent you from deleting messages.
❌ Carrier Settings: Updates or conflicts with carrier settings might affect the functionality of the Messages app.

Understanding these potential causes will help you identify the appropriate solution. Now, let's move on to the fixes.

Fixes to Text Messages Won’t Delete on iPhone iOS 16/17/18

Here are some simple and common troubleshoots when you can delete messages on iPhone. Try them one after another until your issue gets fixed. Besides, you can also skip to the next part to erase your iPhone messages in one-click.

1# Force Close the Messages App

Force closing the Messages app can sometimes clear out minor glitches in your Messages app. Depending on the iPhone models, the steps are slightly different.

• For iPhone X and later:
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle of the screen > Swipe left or right to find the Messages app > Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it.

• For iPhone 8 and earlier:
Double-click the Home button to see your most recently used apps > Swipe left or right to find the Messages app > Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it.

After force closing, reopen the Messages app and try deleting the text message again.

2# Force Restart iPhone

If force closing the Messages app doesn’t work, you may need to force restart your iPhone. Instead of the Messages app itself, minor glitches in the operating system can also cause the issue text messages won’t delete on iPhone iOS16/17.

• For iPhone 8 and later with Face ID:
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the button.

• For iPhone SE and earlier with Home button:
Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button. When the Apple logo shows up, release both buttons.

3# Turn Off iCloud Messages and Delete Locally

If your messages are synced with iCloud, this could be causing the deletion problem. Try turning off iCloud syncing and delete the messages locally.

To turn off iCloud Messages, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages. Toggle off the switch next to Messages. When prompted, choose to keep the messages on your device.

Now, try deleting the messages again. Once deleted, you can turn Messages back on in iCloud if needed. Or, you can selectively backup text messages on iPhone using other methods.

4# Reset All Settings

Resetting all settings can resolve various issues without erasing your data. However, note that it will reset your Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, and other settings. When iphone message won’t delete, try resetting all settings on iPhone to get rid of it.

Go to Settings app > General > Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Choose Reset All Settings. Tap Reset All Settings again to confirm.

5# Update iOS to the Latest Version

Apple regularly releases iOS updates that include bug fixes and improvements. Updating to the latest version might resolve the issue.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Bonus: One-Click Erase iPhone Messages via FoneTool

If none of the solutions above can help you, you may need to contact Apple to get some answers. While waiting for Apple experts to offer you solutions, you can try a more efficient way to erase messages on your iPhone.

FoneTool offers a one-click solution. FoneTool is a powerful iPhone management tool that allows you to delete all messages from iPhone quickly and securely, ensuring that no trace is left behind.

Before erasing iPhone text messages, you can also try FoneTool’s Selective Backup function to selectively backup your important iPhone messages to PC. Click the icon below to download FoneTool, and let’s get started.

Preparation: Selectively Backup iPhone Messages
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to PC with USB > Launch FoneTool, and choose Phone Backup > Selective Backup.

Step 2. From the next page, check Messages to choose the text messages you’d like to backup > Click OK > Start Backup to make it.

How to Erase iPhone Messages via FoneTool
Step 1. Keep connecting your iPhone and computer > Go to Toolbox in FoneTool > Choose Erase private data this time.

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

🚩🚩 FoneTool also offers functions - iOS System Repair, which helps you troubleshoot system errors on iOS devices in one-click.

If you encounter not only iPhone messages issue but also others, you may consider whether your iPhone goes wrong, and go to Toolbox > iOS System Repair to fix your iPhone.

Summary

Hope you’ve solved the issue - text messages won’t delete on iPhone iOS 16/17. By following the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to delete unwanted or erase all text messages from iPhone. If this guide is helpful, please share it with others.