Do you find yourself constantly scrolling through your iMessage conversations on your Mac, only to realize that you need to delete some old messages? Whether it’s freeing up space on your iPhone or just decluttering your iMessage app, it’s essential to know how to delete iMessages on Mac from iPhone. In this guide, we’ll go over the necessary steps to make sure you can delete your iMessages without any hassle.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we get started, here’s what you need to have to achieve this task:
- Mac with macOS 10.15 Catalina or later
- iPhone with iOS 13 or later
- Lightning cable to connect iPhone and Mac
What Requires Your Focus?
To delete iMessages on Mac from iPhone, it’s important to understand that deleting messages on Mac will also delete them from your iPhone. So, before deleting any messages, make sure that you’ve backed up the messages that you don’t want to lose. Another important thing to note is that deleting a message on your Mac/iPhone is irreversible, and you can’t get it back once you’ve deleted it from the device.
Different Methods to Delete iMessages on Mac from iPhone
Method 1: Using the Messages app on Mac
If you’re looking to delete individual messages, this method is the best for you.
Steps:
- Open the Messages app on your Mac.
- Click on the conversation that you want to delete messages from.
- Select the message(s) that you want to delete by clicking on them.
- Press the “Delete” key on your Mac keyboard or right-click on the message(s) and select “Delete”.
- A pop-up will appear, click “Delete” to confirm.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to delete individual messages
- No need to delete entire conversations
Cons:
- Need to manually select each message to delete
- Difficult to find older messages that need to be deleted
Method 2: Using the Messages app on iPhone
This method is best for those who want to delete an entire conversation.
Steps:
- Open the “Messages” app on your iPhone.
- Find the conversation that you want to delete.
- Swipe left on the conversation and tap on “Delete”.
- A pop-up will appear, click “Delete” to confirm.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to delete entire conversations
- Best method for those who want to delete all messages in a conversation
Cons:
- No option to delete individual messages within the conversation
- Need to manually delete conversations one by one
Method 3: Using the iCloud website on Mac/Windows
This method is best for those who want to delete messages across multiple devices.
Steps:
- Go to iCloud.com on your Mac/Windows.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Select “Messages”.
- Find the conversation that you want to delete.
- Select the message(s) that you want to delete by clicking on them.
- Press the “Delete” key on your keyboard or right-click on the message(s) and select “Delete”.
- A pop-up will appear, click “Delete” to confirm.
Pros:
- Can delete messages across multiple devices
- Good option for those who don’t have their iPhone nearby
Cons:
- Messages are permanently deleted and can’t be restored
- Need to access messages via iCloud website
Why Can’t I Delete iMessages on Mac from iPhone? And Fixes
Here are some reasons why you might not be able to delete iMessages on your Mac from your iPhone and how to fix them:
- You don’t have your Mac and iPhone synchronized with your Apple ID.
Fix: Make sure that you’ve signed in to the same Apple ID on your Mac and iPhone. - The message is already deleted from your iPhone.
Fix: If the message is already deleted from your iPhone, it won’t be possible to delete it from your Mac/iCloud website as well. - Your iPhone is not connected to your Mac or iCloud website.
Fix: Make sure that your iPhone is connected to your Mac via lightning cable and the Messages app is open.
5 FAQs about Deleting iMessages on Mac from iPhone
Q1. Will deleting iMessages on my Mac delete them from my iPhone?
A1. Yes, deleting iMessages on your Mac will also delete them from your iPhone.
Q2. Can I restore a deleted message from my Mac?
A2. No, it’s impossible to restore a deleted message from your Mac/iPhone.
Q3. Can I delete individual messages within a conversation on my iPhone?
A3. Yes, you can delete individual messages within the conversation on your iPhone.
Q4. How to delete messages from iCloud storage?
A4. Go to iCloud.com on your Mac/Windows > select “Messages” > find the conversation that you want to delete > select messages > Press “Delete”.
Q5. Can I move messages from one conversation to another?
A5. No, it’s not possible to move messages from one conversation to another.
In Conclusion
Deleting iMessages on Mac from iPhone is a quick and easy process once you know how to do it. Just remember that deleting messages on your Mac/iPhone/iCloud website is permanent, so make sure that you backup anything you don’t want to lose. Use the method that best suits your needs and delete your iMessages without any trouble.