Summary
You can delete a single message or multiple by selecting them, right-clicking, and picking Delete. You can also remove all messages by moving specific files from the Messages folder in your Library to the Trash.
When your text messages start to build up, it might be time for some cleanup work. You can delete specific or all texts and conversations in Messages on adesktop MacorMacBookin just a few steps.
About Deleting Messages on Mac
Before you start smashing that delete button, there are a few things you should know. First, if you haveMessages enabled for iCloud, any of those you delete on your Mac are also removed from your other Apple devices.
If you want to avoid losing them entirely, you may disable the syncing feature in Messages > Settings > iCloud. Just note that if you turn off iCloud messaging, future messages on Mac will not sync between your Mac and other devices.
Additionally, you may find the work of deleting messages and conversations a bit tedious. To ease that burden in the future, you can set up Messages to automatically remove older texts after a timeframe you select. We’ll also show you how to do thatbelow.
How to Delete Messages on Mac
Want to delete individual messages on your Mac instead of full conversations? While you may use theUndo Send featureif you sent the message recently, you’ll need to use the Delete action if it’s been longer than two minutes.
Related:How to Unsend or Edit an iMessage on iPhone, iPad and Mac
Select the conversation in the Messages app and thenright-clickthe particular message you sent. This can be text, a photo, a video, or another item. Pick “Delete” in the shortcut menu.
Then, confirm by selecting “Delete.”
Related:How to Delete Messages on iPhone
How to Delete Conversations on Mac
If you prefer to delete an entire text message thread, also called a conversation, you can just as easily as deleting an individual message.
Delete a Single Conversation
To remove one conversation, select it in the list on the lefthand panel. Then, do one of the following to delete the conversation.
You’ll then be asked to confirm. Select “Delete” to remove the message thread.
Delete Multiple Conversations
You may find it simpler to mass delete several conversations at once. It’s easy, but you need to know the right keyboard shortcut for what you want to do.
You can then delete all selected conversations one of these ways:
Related:CleanMyMac X Review: One Click for a Tidy Mac
How to Delete All Messages on Mac
Maybe you want a completely fresh start in Messages on your Mac or MacBook by removing all conversations. you’re able to certainly use the steps above to delete multiple conversations, but there is a quicker way using Finder andyour Library folder.
With Finder active, select Go > Go to Folder in the menu bar, enter the following, and press Return:
In the Messages folder, find and select these files:
Then, right-click and pick “Move to Trash” or drag the items to the Trash folder.
You can thenempty the trash on Macor right-click the files in the Trash folder and choose “Delete Immediately” to permanently remove the files.
Delete All Message Attachments
If you use the above method todelete all messageson Mac, this does not remove the attachments. you’re able to do this using Finder which is similar to removing all conversations above.
Select all items in the Attachments folder and either right-click and pick “Move to Trash” or drag all items to the Trash folder. You can then empty the trash or delete the items immediately with a right-click.
Automatically Delete Messages on Mac
If you don’t want to perform a cleanup in Messages on Mac manually, you can have Messagesautomatically delete conversationsafter a certain amount of time.
Open Messages and select Messages > Settings in the menu bar. Go to the “General” tab and use the “Keep Messages” drop-down box to pick the timing. you’re able to change it from “Forever” to “30 Days” or “One Year.”
You’ll then be asked to confirm the action and remove the older messages. Select “Delete” to continue or “Cancel” to exit and return to Settings.
Once you change the timing, Messages deletes conversations and attachments automatically for the time you pick.
