Want to delete a text message or conversation thread from an iPhone? Maybe it's a regretful SMS or embarrassing iMessage conversation from after you had too much to drink, whatever it is you can quickly delete an entire conversation or even selectively delete only certain parts of a message, whether it's a text, iMessage, or MMS. Here is how to do it:
Quickly Delete Entire SMS & Text Message Threads
This removes any trace of there being message correspondence between yourself and the recipient, on the iPhone at least:
- Open the Messages app and tap the "Edit" button in the corner
- Locate the SMS thread you want to remove and tap the little red (-) button, then tap the "Delete" button to remove all messages and correspondence with that person
- Repeat as necessary for other contacts
Selectively Delete Individual Messages from a Correspondence Thread
Do this if you just want to remove a line or two from a correspondence without deleting all other messages with that person:
- Tap the message you want to edit from the Messages list
- Tap on the "Edit" button in the corner
- Find the text, MMS, or messages that you want to remove and tap them so that a red checkbox appears alongside
- Tap the red "Delete" button to remove only the selected messages
Once a message has been deleted the only way to uncover it would be to manually sort through and read SMS backups, which isn't the most user-friendly task in the world.
If you're using iMessage here, this will apply to iPod touch and iPad as well, but obviously SMS and MMS will only apply to iPhone users.
