Have you ever needed to delete a text message you sent someone else? With the iPhone’s ease of use and its various methods for deleting texts on both ends, it has never been simpler.
Let’s explore how to delete text messages on the iPhone from both sides.
The Need to Delete Text Messages on iPhone
Text messages on an iPhone may contain sensitive or personal data you do not wish to keep on file, such as sending or receiving text messages to the wrong recipient or outdated conversations that no longer make sense or don’t fit your lifestyle. Whatever your reason for wanting to delete these text messages from both sides, knowing how can be essential to protect your privacy and avoid unwanted situations.
Method 1: Making Use of the Undo Send Feature on iMessage
With iOS 16, Apple introduced an Undo Send feature, allowing you to undo any message sent within 30 minutes from both sides. This can come in handy if you send the wrong message or send it to an incorrect recipient, making a correction easy. Here’s how it works:
- Launch the iMessage app on your iPhone.
- Locate the conversation containing the message you wish to delete and long-press on it.
- This will open a menu; choose “Undo Send” to delete this message from both sides simultaneously.
Notably, the “Undo Send” feature only works within 30 minutes after sending your message; after this period, you cannot use this method to delete it.
Method 2: Deleting an Entire Conversation
If you want to delete an entire conversation with all its messages, follow these steps:
- Launch the Messages app on your iPhone
- Locate and delete the conversation you wish to delete by swiping left on it
- Tap “Delete”.
Deleting entire conversations can help declutter your messages, improving performance while protecting privacy by deleting unwanted texts from others’ eyes.
Method 3: Deleting Individual Messages
If you would like to delete specific messages from a conversation, follow these steps:
- Launch the Messages app on your iPhone
- Locate and select the conversation with which you wish to delete a message
- Touch and hold its bubble, tap “More,” select all messages you would like deleted and tap “Delete.”
- By tapping the “Delete” button, individual messages can be deleted without impacting the conversation.
This feature may be helpful to keep specific conversations while removing others.
Method 4: Relying on Third-Party Apps
You can use various third-party apps to delete text messages on both ends, including scheduling the deletion of messages, setting auto-deletion rules and scanning your phone for sensitive messages. Some popular third-party apps include iMyFone, Dr Fone and iTransor.
Before using any third-party app, make sure it is legal and trustworthy. Read its terms and conditions thoroughly to avoid any untoward situations or consequences.
FAQs
Can I recover deleted messages or conversations on my iPhone?
No. Once deleted and removed from your phone, it cannot be recovered – which makes it very crucial to exercise caution when deleting texts and dialogue.
Will the other person know if I delete a message on my iPhone?
No one will receive a notification if you delete messages on your iPhone; however, if they have already seen them, you cannot delete them from their device; for privacy purposes, you will need to ask them as well if you wish to have the message deleted from both ends.
Can I delete a message on my iPhone after the 30-minute time limit?
Unfortunately, messages sent more than 30 minutes ago cannot be deleted via Undo Send features, making timely action essential if you wish to revoke their delivery.
Final Words
Deleting text messages on an iPhone from both sides is a straightforward process that can help protect your privacy and avoid unpleasant situations. The only catch is that you must delete it within 30 minutes you have sent it.
Some third-party apps might claim they can delete text messages from both sides, but there is no ground for their statement. Apple allows the “Undo Send” feature to use only on iMessages. So, if the other person is not using iMessage, you will not get the “Undo Send” option.
