4 Simple Ways to Delete Messages from iCloud Storage

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A user-friendly guide to erasing Messages from your iCloud storage in iOS

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: September 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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Disabling Messages Sync

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Removing Data from iCloud

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Deleting Large Conversations from iCloud

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Deleting Messages from iPhone and iPad

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Video

Do you want to free up some space in your iCloud storage by deleting old messages? If you have Messages synced, you can disable it and delete the messages from iCloud without removing them from your iPhone or iPad. If iCloud is disabled for Messages, you can remove any existing data in Settings. This wikiHow will show you how to erase text Messages from iCloud with or without deleting them from your iPhone and iPad.

Things You Should Know

To disable Messages sync, open Settings → "Apple ID" → "iCloud" → "Messages" → toggle off "Sync this iPhone".
To delete data, go to Settings → "Apple ID" → "iCloud" → "Messages" → "Manage Storage" → "Disable & Delete".
To delete a message, tap and hold the message → "More…" → "Delete Message".

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Disabling Messages Sync

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1
Open the Settings app. This looks like a grey cog icon.^{[1]
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- Use this method to disable iCloud syncing for Messages and remove the existing data in iCloud. This won't delete Messages from your iPhone or iPad.
- Be sure to update your iOS to the latest version.
2
Tap your Apple ID. This will be at the very top of the page.^{[2]
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- Make sure you're logged into the correct Apple ID.
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You can find this underneath Subscriptions.^{[3]
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This can be found underneath the Apps Using iCloud header. If you don't see it immediately, you may need to tap Show All.
After disabling sync, you'll need to choose to keep or delete the data on your device.^{[4]
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Tap Keep on My iPhone/iPad. This will be in blue.
- Your Messages will be deleted from iCloud but remain on your device.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Removing Data from iCloud

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1
Open the Settings app. This looks like a grey cog icon.
- Use this method if you already have iCloud syncing for Messages disabled. This will remove any existing data in iCloud without deleting them from your iPhone or iPad.
This will be at the very top of the page.
You can find this underneath Subscriptions.^{[5]
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This can be found underneath the Apps Using iCloud header. If you don't see it immediately, you may need to tap Show All.^{[6]
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5
Tap Manage Storage. The switch for "Sync this iPhone/iPad" should already be toggled off.
- You'll see the size of the data to the right of Manage Storage.
This will be in red.
Your Messages will be deleted from iCloud. You can recover these messages within 30 days by enabling syncing for Messages.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Deleting Large Conversations from iCloud

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1
Open the Settings app. This looks like a grey cog icon.
- Use this method to delete the conversations taking up the most space in iCloud.
This will be at the very top of the page.
You can find this underneath Subscriptions.
This can be found underneath the Apps Using iCloud header. If you don't see it immediately, you may need to tap Show All.^{[8]
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This will be below the toggle.
You can find this at the bottom, underneath the Messages header.
This is at the top-right corner.^{[9]
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Select a conversation to delete. You'll see a list of your top conversations. Tap the conversation to delete it.
- You may need to confirm by tapping Delete again.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Deleting Messages from iPhone and iPad

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1
Ensure you have Messages synced in iCloud. Open Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Messages → toggle on Sync this iPhone/iPad.
- Use this method if you want to delete messages from both Messages and iCloud.
2
Open Messages. This looks like a white chat bubble with a green background.^{[10]
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- You'll see a list of your conversations. Pinned messages will be located at the top.
3
Delete a conversation. Swipe left on the conversation you want to delete, then tap the trash can icon. Tap Delete.^{[11]
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- For pinned messages, tap and hold the bubble with the contact's name or group name. Tap Delete.
4
Delete a message. Navigate to the message you want to delete. Tap and hold the message until a pop-up window opens.^{[12]
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- Tap More… and select any other messages you want to delete.
- Tap the trash can icon, then tap Delete Message(s).