How to delete messages and conversations on iPhone or iPad

Whether you simply have too many messages or one in particular that you want to remove, here’s how to delete text messages on your iPhone or iPad.

While you can have your messages automatically removed every so often, there may be a time when you simply want to delete them yourself. If you’re new to the iPhone, here’s a tip to keep in mind for maintenance, safety, or sanity.

Note:

• You have both messages and conversations on your iPhone. Conversations are those that are ongoing and take place with another person. Messages are the texts you send to each other within those conversations. You can remove both messages and conversations, singularly or in groups.
• When deleting a conversation, you may also see the option to report it to Apple as spam.
• If you use Messages in iCloud or the same iMessage account on multiple iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro, deleting a message or conversation from one device will remove it from everywhere. In case you want to restore deleted messages, you must act within 30 days.

Delete text messages

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone and select the conversation containing the SMS, MMS, RCS, or iMessage you want to remove.
2. Touch and hold the text message and choose More from the shortcut menu. You can remove both messages sent to you and those you send to others.
3. The text message will be marked with a check. Tap the Trash can icon to delete it. If you want to delete several messages, just mark them all and then tap the Trash can icon.

Delete individual conversations

You can also delete an entire conversation with someone in the Messages app. Simply slide the conversation from right to left, tap Delete or the Trash icon, and confirm.

Delete bulk conversations

You can get rid of a group of conversations at the same time in the Messages app.

1. Tap the Edit button at the top of the Messages screen and pick Select Messages.
2. Check the conversations you want to remove.
3. Tap the trash icon at the bottom and confirm.

As you can see, it’s really easy to delete text messages and conversations on your iPhone, and it works the same way on your iPad. So the next time you want to remove one from your device, it takes just a few taps.

On a related note: How to delete photos, links, and attachments in Messages on iOS