Deleting audio messages on your iPhone is a simple process that can help you free up storage space and keep your messaging app organized. In just a few taps, you can remove those audio clips that you no longer need.
Related Video: How to Delete Audio Messages on iPhone in iOS 17
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Delete Audio Messages on iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, let’s quickly go over what we’re about to do. Deleting audio messages from your iPhone is a way to clean up your conversations and save some space. Follow these steps, and you’ll have those messages gone in no time!
Step 1: Open the Messages App
Start by opening the Messages app on your iPhone.
This is the app where all your text and audio messages are stored. Look for the green icon with a white speech bubble on your home screen or app library.
Step 2: Select the Conversation
Find and select the conversation that contains the audio message you want to delete.
You can scroll through your messages or use the search bar at the top to find the specific conversation quickly.
Step 3: Locate the Audio Message
Once in the conversation, scroll through the messages to find the audio message you wish to delete.
Audio messages usually have a play button icon, making them easy to spot among text messages.
Step 4: Press and Hold the Audio Message
Press and hold the audio message until a menu pops up.
Be sure to press firmly but not too hard – you don’t want to activate any 3D Touch features if your iPhone has them.
Step 5: Tap on “More…”
In the menu that appears, tap on the “More…” option.
This will allow you to select multiple messages if needed and access additional options.
Step 6: Select the Trash Icon
After tapping “More…”, you’ll see a small circle to the left of each message and a trash icon on the bottom right. Tap the circle next to the audio message to select it and then tap the trash icon.
Make sure you’ve selected the correct message because once it’s deleted, it’s gone for good.
After completing these steps, the audio message will be permanently deleted from your iPhone. There’s no going back, so double-check before you hit that trash icon!
Tips for Managing Audio Messages on iPhone
- Tip 1: Adjust your audio message settings to auto-delete after a set period. This can be found in Settings > Messages > Expire (under Audio Messages).
- Tip 2: Regularly clean out old messages to keep your iPhone storage from filling up.
- Tip 3: Remember that deleting a message from your device does not delete it from the recipient’s device.
- Tip 4: Back up important audio messages before deleting them, just in case you need them later.
- Tip 5: Use the search feature in Messages to quickly find audio messages by typing in keywords from the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting an audio message free up storage on my iPhone?
Yes, deleting audio messages will help free up storage on your device. Audio files can take up a significant amount of space, especially if you have many of them.
Can I recover a deleted audio message?
Once an audio message is deleted, it cannot be recovered unless you have previously backed it up on iCloud or your computer.
Does deleting an audio message also delete it for the person I sent it to?
No, deleting an audio message from your iPhone will not delete it from the recipient’s device. It only removes it from your conversation thread.
Is there a way to bulk delete audio messages?
Yes, you can use the “More…” option in the conversation thread to select multiple messages at once and then tap the trash icon to delete them all together.
Can I set audio messages to delete automatically?
Yes, you can adjust your message settings to auto-delete audio messages after 2 minutes or 30 days. You can find this option in Settings > Messages > Expire (under Audio Messages).
Summary
- Open the Messages App on your iPhone.
- Select the conversation with the audio message.
- Find the audio message you want to delete.
- Press and hold the audio message.
- Tap on “More…”
- Select the trash icon to delete the message.
Conclusion
Deleting audio messages on your iPhone is a breeze once you know the steps. Not only does it declutter your message threads, but it also helps manage your phone’s storage space. Always remember to double-check the messages you’re deleting to avoid any regrets later. With the tips provided, you should be able to keep your Messages app neat and organized. Don’t forget that once a message is gone, it’s gone for good unless you’ve backed it up. So, take a moment to review those precious audio clips before saying goodbye. And if you’re ever in doubt, just refer back to this guide for a quick refresher on how to delete audio messages on iPhone. Happy texting (and deleting)!
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.