Can I delete all my text messages at once on my Apple Watch?

Your Apple Watch can send and receive text messages just like your iPhone. I will teach you how to clear messages in the Messages app on your watch. You can delete all texts at once or individually. I will also tell you what to do if you have texts on Apple Watch but not iPhone.

Related: Apple Watch Not Syncing Contacts? Here’s How to Fix It

Jump To:

  • How to Delete All Apple Watch Messages at Once
  • How to Clear Apple Watch Message Threads Individually
  • Does Deleting Text Messages Free Up Space on iWatch?
  • How Long Do Messages Stay on Apple Watch
  • How to Mute a Messages Conversation on Your Apple Watch

How to Delete All Text Messages at Once

Deleting messages one by one is easy, but you may be wondering, ‘How do I delete all text messages at once?” Unfortunately, there is no simple way to delete all text messages from your Apple Watch, but you can delete many messages at once. To learn more Apple Watch tips, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter. To see an example of a tip we would send, check out how to text on Apple Watch using custom replies.

To delete all text messages, you will have to delete multiple texts simultaneously from your iPhone:

  1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
     
  2. Tap Edit.Tap Edit.
     
  3. Tap Select Messages.Tap Select Messages.
     
  4. Select the texts you want to delete.Select the texts you want to delete.
     
  5. Tap Delete.Tap Delete.
     
  6. Confirm to delete the selected messages.Confirm to delete the selected messages.

Now you know how to delete mass messages! Can you delete a text message on your Apple Watch but still keep it on your iPhone? No. It is essential to keep in mind that deleting them on your iPhone will also delete them on your Apple Watch unless you have a syncing issue. 

How to Clear Apple Watch Message Threads Individually

For easier navigation of all your text messages, you may consider deleting irrelevant message threads. Keep in mind that if you delete a text threat on your Apple Watch, it will also be deleted on your iPhone and vice versa.

  1. From your Home Screen, open the Messages AppFrom your Home Screen, open the Messages App. 
     
  2. Swipe left across the conversation you want to delete.Swipe left across the conversation you want to delete.
     
  3. Tap the trash icon.Tap the trash icon.

Don’t forget that if you erase messages on iPhone, they will also be erased from your Apple Watch.

Does Deleting Text Messages Free Up Space on Apple Watch?

There are many reasons to clear messages from your watch, for example, for easier navigation. It can also help delete data on Apple Watch to free up some space. Although text messages don't take up a significant amount of space, threads with photos, videos, gifs, and Memojis can add up.

How Long Do Messages Stay on Apple Watch?

Although the Apple Watch mirrors your iPhone, messages are only saved for 30 days on your watch. The primary function of having messages on the Apple Watch is to respond and send new texts conveniently and quickly without your iPhone. At the moment, there is no way to store your messages for longer than 30 days.

How to Mute a Messages Conversation on Your Apple Watch

Rather than deleting a conversation in Messages, you can also mute it if you are busy and want to wait to respond. Muting an individual conversation allows you to keep receiving other notifications outside of that one thread. This is useful if you are in a busy group text but still need to use your Apple Watch for work.

  1. On your Home Screen, open the Messages App.From your Home Screen, open the Messages App. 
     
  2. Swipe left across the conversation you want to mute.Swipe left across the conversation you want to delete.
     
  3. Tap the Do Not Disturb (moon) icon.Tap the moon icon.

You can always swipe it again and tap the Do Not Disturb icon to unmute it. All muted conversations will have a moon icon to the left of the contact’s name.

Now you know how to clear messages from Messenger in bulk and one by one. Don’t forget that when you clear messages on Apple Watch, you are also clearing them from your iPhone. Next, learn how to save iPhone storage by deleting text messages and the various attachments inside threads. And if you need to save text messages for legal purposes or as documentation, you can also learn how to save a text conversation on your iPhone or Mac. Do you often misplace your iPhone? If so, a fun tip is that you can actually find your lost iPhone using your Apple Watch. 

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Can you delete all messages at once on Apple Watch?

There isn't a delete all function, nor is there a function that creates continuity between your phone and watch when you delete messages.

Does deleting messages from Apple Watch delete from iPhone?

While many apps sync between the Apple Watch and iPhone, Messages is not one of them. Conversations you delete from the Watch will still be on your iPhone, and threads you clear on your phone may remain on your Watch.