iMessages delete from both devices when you remove them, but recovery is still possible
When you delete an iMessage from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, it disappears from the conversation thread on that device. However, the message does not vanish from the other person's device — they still see it in their copy of the conversation. More importantly, deleted messages can sometimes be recovered from your device's backup files if you have not overwritten them yet.
The only way to make an iMessage truly unrecoverable on your own device is to delete it, then ensure your backups are replaced with new ones that do not contain the message. This takes a few steps and some time, depending on how your device backs up.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting an iMessage removes it from your device's display but not from the other person's phone or from your backup files.
- To prevent recovery, you must delete the message and then create a new backup that overwrites the old one containing the deleted message.
- iCloud backups create new versions automatically if you have iCloud+ or a paid plan, but standard iCloud backups may keep old versions for up to 180 days.
- If you use a computer to back up with iTunes or Finder, you must manually create a new backup after deleting messages to overwrite the old file.
- Deleting messages from one conversation does not affect backups of other conversations or the other person's copy of the messages.
How to delete a single iMessage or conversation on iPhone and iPad
Open the Messages app and find the conversation containing the message you want to delete. If you want to remove just one message, tap and hold on that specific message until a menu appears, then tap More. Select any other messages in the same conversation you want to delete at the same time, then tap Delete in the bottom right corner.
To delete an entire conversation, swipe left on the conversation in the Messages list (or tap Edit in the top left, then tap the red circle next to the conversation). Tap Delete to confirm. The conversation and all its messages disappear from your device's display immediately.
How to delete iMessages on Mac
In the Messages app on your Mac, find the conversation in the list on the left side. Click on it to open it, then right-click on the specific message you want to delete. Select Delete from the menu. The message vanishes from the conversation thread.
To delete an entire conversation on Mac, right-click on the conversation name in the left sidebar and select Delete Conversation. Confirm the action when prompted. Like on iPhone and iPad, this removes the conversation from your view but does not affect the other person's messages or your existing backups.
Why deleted messages can still be recovered from backups
Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac creates backups regularly — either to iCloud or to a computer. These backups are snapshots of your device that include messages, photos, contacts, and settings. When you delete a message, the backup file that was created before the deletion still contains that message in its data.
If someone gains access to your device or your backup files, they can restore from an older backup and see the deleted messages again. This is why simply deleting a message is not enough if you want to make it truly unrecoverable — you need to replace the old backup with a new one that does not contain the message.
How to overwrite backups on iCloud
If you back up to iCloud, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups on your iPhone or iPad. You will see your device listed with the date and time of the last backup. Tap on it, then tap Delete Backup. This removes the old backup file from iCloud's servers.
After you delete the old backup, your device will create a new one automatically within 24 hours if you meet these conditions: your device is plugged in, connected to Wi-Fi, and the screen is locked. You can also force a new backup immediately by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tapping Back Up Now. This new backup will not contain the messages you deleted.
Note that iCloud keeps older backup versions for up to 180 days if you have enough storage space. If you want to be certain no older version exists, you may need to wait several months or contact Apple Support to request permanent deletion of all previous backups.
How to overwrite backups on Mac or Windows with iTunes or Finder
If you back up your iPhone or iPad to a computer using iTunes (on Windows or older Macs) or Finder (on newer Macs), the backup is stored as a single file on your hard drive. Deleting a message does not change this file — you must create a new backup to overwrite it.
Connect your device to your computer, open iTunes or Finder, and select your device. Click Back Up Now (or Back Up depending on your version). This creates a new backup file that replaces the old one, and the new file will not contain the messages you deleted. The old backup file is overwritten and cannot be recovered through normal means.
If you want to be extra certain, you can also delete the backup file manually. On Mac, go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder and type ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup. On Windows, navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. Delete the folder inside, then create a new backup as described above.
What does not get deleted when you remove a message
Deleting a message from your device does not delete it from the recipient's device. They will still see the message in their conversation with you unless they delete it themselves. If the message was forwarded to other people, it remains in their conversations too.
Deleted messages also do not disappear from your carrier's servers or from Apple's servers if the message failed to send and was stored temporarily. Law enforcement or the message recipient could potentially retrieve the message through those channels, though this is outside your control as a user.
If you use iCloud+ or a paid iCloud plan, Apple may also retain metadata about the message (such as the timestamp and sender information) even after the message content is deleted, depending on their data retention policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the other person see that I deleted a message?
No. iMessage does not notify the recipient when you delete a message from your side. The message remains in their conversation thread unchanged. They will only know you deleted it if you tell them or if they notice the message is missing when they look back at the conversation.
If I delete a conversation, does it delete from iCloud?
Not immediately. The conversation remains in your iCloud backup until you create a new backup after deleting it. Follow the steps in the iCloud section above to delete the old backup and force a new one, which will not contain the deleted conversation.
What if I turn off iCloud backup before deleting messages?
Turning off iCloud backup stops future backups from being created, but it does not delete backups that already exist on iCloud's servers. You must manually delete the old backup through Settings as described above. After you delete it, you can turn iCloud backup back on.
Can Apple see my deleted iMessages?
Apple does not have access to the content of your iMessages because they are encrypted end-to-end. However, they may have records of metadata such as when the message was sent, who it was sent to, and whether it was delivered. Deleting the message from your device does not change what Apple's servers recorded.
If I restore from an old backup, will deleted messages come back?
Yes. If you restore your device from a backup that was created before you deleted the messages, those messages will reappear on your device. This is why creating a new backup after deleting messages is important if you want to prevent recovery.