Deleting text messages from your iPhone with iOS 7 is a simple process. Just open the Messages app, select the conversation containing the messages you want to delete, press and hold on the message, tap “More,” select the messages you want to delete, and then tap the trash can icon. Confirm the deletion, and voilà, the messages are gone.
After completing this action, the selected text messages will be permanently removed from your iPhone. They will no longer be viewable in the Messages app and cannot be recovered.
Introduction
Text messages can pile up quickly on our iPhones, cluttering our inboxes and sometimes containing sensitive information that we’d prefer to keep private. Whether you’re running out of storage space, tidying up your conversations, or simply aiming to protect your privacy, knowing how to delete text messages on your iPhone is a handy skill to have. This is especially true for those who haven’t updated to the latest iOS and are still operating on iOS 7.
While the process is straightforward, it’s essential to perform each step correctly to ensure that the messages you want to be deleted are gone for good. This article is crucial for anyone who wants to keep their message inbox clean and organized, or for those who are selling or giving away their iPhone and want to ensure their personal conversations are not seen by others.
How to Delete Text Messages From an iPhone With IOS 7
Before we dive into the details, it’s important to note that deleting text messages from your iPhone with iOS 7 is an irreversible process. Once you’ve deleted the messages, they’re gone for good, so make sure you really want to delete them before you proceed.
Step 1: Open the Messages App
Open the Messages app on your iPhone to see your conversations.
The Messages app is where all of your text conversations are stored, so this is naturally where you’ll start. Once you open the app, you’ll see a list of all the conversations you’ve had.
Step 2: Select the Conversation
Tap on the conversation that contains the messages you want to delete.
When you find the conversation you’re looking for, simply tap on it to open the full message thread.
Step 3: Press and Hold on the Message
Press and hold your finger on the specific message you want to delete.
By pressing and holding on a message, you’ll bring up a menu that allows you to interact with that message in several ways, including copying or forwarding it.
Step 4: Tap “More”
Tap the “More” option that appears with a checkbox next to the message.
When you tap “More,” you’ll be able to select multiple messages within that conversation to delete all at once if you need to.
Step 5: Select the Messages
Select the messages you want to delete by tapping the checkboxes.
You don’t have to delete just one message—you can select as many as you want by tapping the checkboxes next to each message.
Step 6: Tap the Trash Can Icon
Tap the trash can icon in the bottom-left corner to delete the messages.
This is the last step in the process. Once you tap the trash can icon, the selected messages will be queued for deletion.
Step 7: Confirm the Deletion
Confirm that you want to delete the selected messages.
After you tap the trash can, you’ll be asked to confirm that you really want to delete the messages. Make sure you’re certain, then confirm to complete the process.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Privacy | Deleting sensitive messages ensures that your private conversations remain confidential. |
| Organized Inbox | Regularly deleting messages keeps your inbox clutter-free and more manageable. |
| Free Up Space | Text messages, especially those with attachments, can take up valuable storage space on your iPhone. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Irreversible | Once you delete a message, it’s gone for good and cannot be recovered. |
| Accidental Deletion | It’s possible to accidentally delete important messages if you’re not careful. |
| Time-Consuming | If you have a lot of messages to delete, the process can be time-consuming. |
Additional Information
While the process of deleting text messages on an iPhone with iOS 7 is straightforward, there are a few additional things to keep in mind. For starters, if you’re planning on selling or giving away your iPhone, you may want to perform a factory reset, which will delete all data from your device, not just your text messages. This way, you can be sure that none of your personal information can be accessed by the new owner. Another thing to consider is the use of iCloud. If you have messages backed up to iCloud, deleting them from your iPhone won’t remove them from the cloud.
You’ll need to manage your iCloud settings to ensure that any deleted messages are also removed from your backups. Lastly, keep in mind that while deleting text messages can help free up storage space, it might not make a significant impact if your iPhone is filled with apps, photos, or other data.
Summary
- Open the Messages app.
- Select the conversation.
- Press and hold on the message.
- Tap “More.”
- Select the messages.
- Tap the trash can icon.
- Confirm the deletion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover deleted messages?
Once a message is deleted, it cannot be recovered from the iPhone itself. However, if you have a recent backup that includes the deleted messages, you may be able to restore them by restoring your iPhone from that backup.
Will deleting messages free up a lot of space?
It depends on the number and size of the messages. Messages with attachments like photos and videos take up more space, so deleting these can help free up more storage.
Does deleting a message from my iPhone also delete it from the recipient’s phone?
No, deleting a message from your iPhone only affects your device. The message will still exist on the recipient’s phone.
If I delete a message, will it still appear in my iCloud backup?
It will not appear in future iCloud backups once it’s deleted, but it may still be present in previous backups.
How do I delete all messages from a conversation?
To delete an entire conversation, you can swipe left on the conversation in the Messages app and tap the “Delete” button.
Conclusion
In conclusion, deleting text messages from an iPhone running iOS 7 is a straightforward task that can help maintain your privacy, organize your inbox, and free up precious storage space on your device. While there are a few drawbacks to consider, such as the irreversible nature of deletion and the potential for accidental loss of important messages, the benefits often outweigh these concerns.
With the steps provided in this article, you should now be able to confidently manage your text messages and keep your iPhone’s messaging app in tip-top shape.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.