Step-by-Step Guide- How to Permanently and Completely Erase Text Messages from Your iPhone

How to Completely Delete Text Messages from iPhone

Are you looking to free up some space on your iPhone by deleting old text messages? But you’re worried that the messages might still be recoverable? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to completely delete text messages from your iPhone, ensuring that they are irrecoverable and your privacy is protected.

Step 1: Backup Your iPhone

Before you proceed with deleting text messages, it’s always a good idea to backup your iPhone. This ensures that you don’t lose any important data. You can backup your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes. Here’s how to do it:

– For iCloud backup:
1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
2. Make sure that the switch for iCloud Backup is turned on.
3. Tap “Back Up Now” to start the backup process.

– For iTunes backup:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes and select your iPhone from the list of devices.
3. Click on “Summary” and then “Back Up Now.”

Step 2: Delete Text Messages

Now that you have a backup, you can proceed to delete the text messages from your iPhone. Here’s how:

– Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
– Navigate to the conversation you want to delete.
– Tap the “Info” button (i icon) on the top right corner of the screen.
– Scroll down and tap “Delete All” to delete all messages in the conversation.
– Alternatively, you can swipe left on a message and tap “Delete” to delete individual messages.

Step 3: Empty the Trash

After deleting the messages, they are moved to the Trash folder. To ensure that they are completely deleted, you need to empty the Trash folder. Here’s how:

– Open the Messages app.
– Tap the “Edit” button in the upper-right corner.
– Select “Delete All” to delete all messages in the Trash folder.
– Tap “Delete All” again to confirm.

Step 4: Erase All Content and Settings

If you want to be extra sure that the deleted messages are completely gone, you can erase all content and settings on your iPhone. This will reset your device to its factory settings, ensuring that all data, including deleted messages, is permanently erased. Here’s how:

– Go to Settings > General > Reset.
– Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”
– Enter your passcode and confirm by tapping “Erase iPhone.”

Step 5: Restore from Backup (Optional)

After erasing your iPhone, you can restore the backup you created earlier. This will restore all your data, including text messages, to your iPhone. Here’s how:

– Connect your iPhone to your computer.
– Open iTunes and select your iPhone from the list of devices.
– Click on “Restore Backup” and choose the backup you want to restore from.

And that’s it! You have now successfully deleted text messages from your iPhone and ensured that they are completely gone. Remember to always backup your iPhone before making any significant changes to your device.