Where to find the delete-all option depends on which app you're using
Most messaging apps do not have a single "delete everything" button sitting in the main menu. Instead, you select messages first, then delete them — either one at a time, in groups, or by using a select-all feature. The exact steps change depending on whether you're using text messages (SMS), iMessage, WhatsApp, Gmail, Facebook Messenger, or another platform.
Some apps let you clear your entire conversation history at once through settings. Others require you to go into each conversation and delete messages manually or in batches. A few apps offer a "clear cache" option that removes stored data without touching the actual messages on the service's servers.
Before you delete, understand what you're deleting: messages on your device only, or messages everywhere. Deleting from your phone usually leaves copies on the company's servers or on other devices where you're signed in. If you want messages gone from everywhere, you may need to delete them from the web version or settings as well.
Key Takeaways
- Text messages (SMS) on iPhone delete through the Messages app by swiping or selecting Edit, while Android uses a long-press to select multiple threads before deleting.
- iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger each have their own delete paths — some offer select-all in settings, others require you to delete conversations one by one.
- Deleting messages from your device does not always remove them from company servers or from other devices where you're signed in.
- Some apps distinguish between deleting a conversation (which removes the thread) and deleting individual messages within it (which leaves the thread but empties it).
- If you want a permanent wipe, check whether the app has a "clear all data" or "reset" option in settings, which may remove messages faster than manual deletion.
Deleting text messages on iPhone
On iPhone, open the Messages app and tap Edit in the upper left corner. This reveals checkboxes next to each conversation thread. Tap the checkbox next to each conversation you want to delete, or tap Select All if it appears, then tap Delete at the bottom right.
If you do not see an Edit button, swipe left on any conversation thread. A red Delete button appears. Tap it to remove that single conversation. You can swipe and delete multiple threads this way, but using Edit mode is faster if you want to remove many at once.
Deleting a conversation removes the entire thread from your phone, but iMessage copies may still exist on Apple's servers and on other devices where you are signed into the same Apple ID. To remove messages from those places, sign into iCloud.com, go to Messages, and delete them there as well.
Deleting text messages on Android
On Android, the process varies by phone manufacturer and which messaging app you use. In the default Messages app (often called Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or your carrier's app), open the app and long-press on any conversation thread. A checkbox appears next to it.
Continue long-pressing other threads to select multiple conversations. Once you have selected the ones you want, tap the trash or delete icon at the top of the screen. Some Android phones show a menu with options like Delete or Remove — tap whichever appears.
If your phone uses a different default messaging app, the steps may differ slightly. Look for an Edit mode or a menu icon (three dots) at the top of the conversation list, which often contains a delete or clear option.
Deleting messages in WhatsApp, Messenger, and other apps
WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp and long-press on any conversation. Tap the trash icon at the top. To delete individual messages within a conversation, open the chat, long-press the message, and tap Delete. WhatsApp does not have a "select all" feature in the conversation list, so you must delete conversations one by one or in small groups.
Facebook Messenger: Long-press any conversation in your inbox. Tap Delete from the menu that appears. To delete individual messages, open a conversation, long-press the message, and select Remove. Messenger does not offer a bulk delete for all conversations at once from the main screen.
Gmail: Open Gmail and check the box next to the first message. A checkbox appears at the top of the list — click it to select all messages on the current page. If you have more than one page, Gmail will ask whether you want to select all messages across all pages. Click Select all conversations that match this search, then click the trash icon.
Other apps: Look for an Edit button, a menu icon (three dots or hamburger icon), or a Settings option. Many apps hide bulk delete features in Settings under options like Clear Cache, Clear Data, or Reset. Be careful with these — they may remove more than just messages.
Using settings to clear all messages at once
Some apps offer a nuclear option in Settings that clears your entire message history without making you delete conversations one by one. This is faster but also riskier — you cannot undo it, and it may also clear other data like photos, videos, or contact information stored within the app.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and look for options like Keep Messages (set to 30 Days or 1 Year to auto-delete old messages) or Message History. These do not delete messages immediately but remove them automatically over time.
On Android, open the messaging app, go to Settings, and look for Storage, Clear Cache, Clear Data, or Reset App. Clearing cache removes temporary files but usually keeps messages. Clearing data removes everything, including messages, and resets the app to its factory state.
What happens to deleted messages
When you delete a message from your phone, it disappears from your device but may still exist on the company's servers. WhatsApp, Messenger, Gmail, and iMessage all store copies of your messages on their own systems. Deleting from your phone does not delete from their servers.
If you are signed into the same account on multiple devices — for example, your Gmail account on your phone and your computer — deleting on one device may not delete on the other. Check each device separately if you want messages gone everywhere.
Some apps offer a Delete for Everyone option that removes a message from the recipient's phone as well as your own, but this usually only works if you delete within a short time window (often 10 minutes to an hour). After that window closes, the recipient's copy stays.
Deleting messages without losing the conversation thread
If you want to keep a conversation but remove the messages inside it, most apps let you delete individual messages while leaving the thread. Open the conversation, long-press or right-click the message you want to remove, and select Delete or Remove. The conversation stays in your list, but that specific message is gone.
This is useful if you want to keep a conversation for reference but remove sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details. However, the recipient still has their own copy of the message unless the app offers a delete-for-everyone feature.
Some apps also let you Archive a conversation instead of deleting it. Archived conversations hide from your main inbox but stay on the service's servers and can be searched or recovered later. This is a middle ground between keeping and deleting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover messages after I delete them?
Once you delete a message from your phone, recovery is difficult but sometimes possible if you have a backup. iPhone users with iCloud backups can restore from a previous backup, though this restores your entire phone to that point in time. Android users with Google backups have similar options. If you did not have backups turned on, the messages are likely gone for good from your device.
Does deleting messages from my phone also delete them from the company's servers?
No. Deleting from your phone removes them from your device only. WhatsApp, Messenger, Gmail, and other services keep copies on their own servers. To delete from servers, you usually need to delete from the web version of the app or from settings within the app itself. Some services keep deleted messages for a set period before permanently removing them.
What is the difference between deleting a conversation and deleting a message?
Deleting a conversation removes the entire thread from your inbox, including all messages in it. Deleting a message removes only that single message while keeping the conversation thread visible. If you delete all messages in a conversation one by one, the empty thread may still appear in your list until you delete the conversation itself.
Will the other person know if I delete a message?
Deleting a message from your own phone does not notify the other person. However, if you use a delete-for-everyone feature (available in WhatsApp, Messenger, and some other apps), the recipient sees a notification that you deleted a message, though they cannot see what it said. After the delete window closes, you cannot delete for everyone.
How do I permanently delete messages so they cannot be recovered?
Deleting from your phone is usually permanent for your device. To remove messages from company servers, delete them from the web version of the app or use the app's settings to clear all data. Some services like Gmail let you permanently delete messages by selecting them and clicking Delete, then emptying the Trash folder. After that, recovery is not possible.