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Tech

We Asked An Expert: Should You Delete Text Messages On Your iPhone?

July 4, 2019 by Lisa Cupido
shefinds | Tech
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As you probably already know, certain apps on your iPhone are more likely to drain your phone’s battery and hog up its data than others.


If you use social media apps like Facebook or Snapchat and then experiment with deleting them, you’ll likely find an impressive increase in data and battery power, pretty much immediately.

iphone

Text messages are different, though.


Unless you are sending a constant stream of videos to your friends and family, it texts are not taking up the bulk of your memory by any stretch.


But that doesn’t mean text messages, over time, can’t affect your phone’s performance.

iphone

According to Mac World, iPhones run out of storage space fairly quickly. Deleting all or most of your messages is a surefire way to boost storage space at least a bit.


But it’s not always just a matter of deleting messages after you’ve read them. Some phones could still be carrying messages around if it has been set to “Keep messages forever.”

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Mac World outlines the five steps you can take to delete iPhone messages and free up space:


1.Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down to Messages and tap it.
3. Under Message History, tap where it says Keep Messages.
4. There are three options: 30 Days, 1 Year, and Forever: choose the first or second option.
5. Confirm that you want to delete the old messages and attachments by tapping the Delete button.

 

That’s it — that’s all it takes to increase storage and, hopefully, get your phone working faster than before.

 

Tags:

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Author:

Lisa Fogarty is a lifestyle writer and reporter based in New York who covers health, wellness, relationships, sex, beauty, and parenting.

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Individual engaging with an iPhone for communication.
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Person holding an iPhone in a casual setting.
Close-up of Android phone showcasing app interface.
New iPhone 17 showcasing sleek design and features.
Woman working on laptop in a modern workspace.
Smartphone charging with a power adapter connected.
Display of popular apps on an iPhone screen.
Close-up of hands holding an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Individual using an iPhone for various tasks.
Person holding iPhone displaying multiple apps.
Woman texting on her smartphone with focus.
Android phone showcasing diverse applications.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 smartphone in use.
Woman enjoying a fresh summer salad outdoors.
Holding an Android phone with app interface visible.
iPhone 14 displaying a variety of installed apps.
iPhone indicating low battery and charging settings.
Sony headphones and iPad being used with laptop.
Individual engaging with an iPhone for communication.
iPhone screen filled with various app icons.
Alert showing iPhone storage is full.
Person holding an iPhone in a casual setting.