Have you ever sent a text message on your iPhone and wished you could erase it not just from your device, but also from the recipient’s? Imagine the relief of deleting messages on both sides, keeping your conversations private and under your control.
In this guide, you’ll discover simple and effective ways to delete text messages on your iPhone so they disappear for everyone involved. Ready to take charge of your messages and protect your privacy? Keep reading—you’re about to learn how.
Delete Messages On Iphone
To delete a single message on iPhone, open the message thread. Tap and hold the message you want to remove. Select “More”, then tap the trash icon. Confirm by tapping “Delete Message”. This removes that one message only.
To delete an entire conversation, find the message list. Swipe left on the conversation you want to delete. Tap the “Delete” button. Confirm by tapping “Delete” again. This removes all messages in that thread at once.
Deleting messages only removes them from your device. The other person still sees their copy. Messages do not delete from both sides automatically.
Delete Messages For Everyone
The iMessage recall feature lets you delete a message on both sides. It works only with iPhones using iMessage. You must act within 2 minutes after sending the message. After this time, you cannot recall the message.
To use this feature, press and hold the message you want to delete. Then, tap Undo Send. The message will be removed from your and the receiver’s chat. Both sides will see a note saying the message was deleted.
Remember, this works only if both users have iMessage turned on. If the message was sent as SMS or after 2 minutes, recall won’t work.
Delete Messages On Third-party Apps
WhatsApp allows deleting messages for both sides within a time limit. Tap and hold the message, then select “Delete for Everyone.” This removes the message from your chat and the recipient’s chat. The message shows as “This message was deleted.”
Facebook Messenger lets you remove sent messages too. Press and hold the message, then choose “Remove for Everyone.” The message disappears from both chats. This feature works only for a few minutes after sending.
Recover Deleted Messages
Deleted messages can be recovered using iCloud backup or iTunes backup. For iCloud, sign in to your Apple ID on your iPhone. Then, go to Settings > General > Reset and choose Erase All Content and Settings. After the device restarts, select Restore from iCloud Backup and pick the backup with your messages.
Using iTunes, connect your iPhone to your computer. Open iTunes and select your device. Click on Restore Backup. Choose the backup that contains the deleted messages. Wait for the process to finish. Your messages will appear again on both sides.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| iCloud Backup |
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| iTunes Backup |
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Prevent Message Storage
Deleting old messages helps free up space on your iPhone. The Auto-Delete Old Messages feature removes texts after a set time. Choose to keep messages for 30 days, 1 year, or forever. This helps manage storage without manual work.
To adjust this, go to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages. Select the time you want messages stored. Older texts will delete automatically after that time.
This simple step stops your phone from filling up. It also speeds up message apps and keeps your phone running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Delete Iphone Messages For Both Sender And Receiver?
No, iPhone only deletes messages from your device. The recipient’s copy remains unless they delete it. Messaging apps like WhatsApp offer deleting for both sides, but iMessage does not support this feature.
How To Delete Multiple Texts On Iphone Quickly?
Open the Messages app, tap Edit or Select Messages, choose multiple texts, and tap Delete. This method removes messages fast from your iPhone only, not from the recipient’s device.
Does Deleting Iphone Texts Remove Them From Icloud?
Deleting texts on iPhone removes them from iCloud if Messages in iCloud is enabled. Otherwise, messages might remain in backups or other synced devices until deleted there too.
Can Deleted Iphone Messages Be Recovered Later?
Yes, deleted messages can be recovered using backups or third-party tools. If you regularly back up your iPhone, recovery is easier but not guaranteed.
Conclusion
Deleting text messages on iPhone for both sides can be tricky. Messages you delete only disappear from your device. To remove messages from both sides, use apps with that feature or ask the other person to delete. Remember, standard iPhone messaging does not support full deletion on both ends automatically.
Stay careful with what you send and save. Knowing these steps helps protect your privacy better. Keep your messages clean and under control. Simple actions can make a big difference. Stay informed and manage your chats wisely.