To delete a text message conversation on an iPhone SE, open Messages, swipe left on the conversation, and tap the red trash icon, then Delete. To delete several at once, tap Edit (or the three-dot menu) > Select Messages, choose the conversations, and tap Delete. On iOS 16 and later, deleted conversations go to Recently Deleted for up to 30 days, so you can recover them if you change your mind.
These steps work on every iPhone SE model (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation), as well as other iPhones. Here’s how to delete single messages, recover deleted ones, and stop old texts from piling up.
How to delete one conversation
- Open Messages.
- Swipe left on the conversation.
- Tap the red trash icon.
- Tap Delete to confirm.
You can also touch and hold the conversation and tap Delete.
How to delete multiple conversations
- In Messages, tap Edit at the top left (or the three-dot icon at the top right on newer iOS).
- Tap Select Messages.
- Tap each conversation you want to remove.
- Tap Delete at the bottom right.
How to delete a single message inside a conversation
- Open the conversation.
- Touch and hold the message bubble, then tap More.
- Select any other messages you want to delete.
- Tap the trash icon, then Delete Message.
How to recover a deleted conversation
- In Messages, tap Edit > Show Recently Deleted (or Filters > Recently Deleted).
- Select the conversation and tap Recover.
This requires iOS 16 or later. On older versions, deleted messages can only be restored from an iCloud or computer backup made before you deleted them.
Delete messages automatically
Go to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages and choose 30 Days or 1 Year. Your iPhone deletes older messages and attachments on its own, which also frees storage.
Things to know
- iCloud sync: If Messages in iCloud is on, deleting a conversation removes it from all your Apple devices.
- The other person keeps their copy. Deleting only removes messages from your devices. To remove an iMessage from the other person’s phone too, you’d need to unsend it within a few minutes (iOS 16 or later).
- Hide instead of delete: See how to hide texts on iPhone without deleting them.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I delete a conversation?
Restart your iPhone and try again. Screen Time restrictions or a device management profile can also limit changes.
Does deleting a conversation free up space?
Yes, especially if it had photos and videos. After 30 days in Recently Deleted, or if you delete it from there, the space is freed.
Can I delete all messages at once?
There’s no single “delete all” button. Use Select Messages to pick many conversations, or set Keep Messages to 30 Days.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.