You can't delete texts due to software glitches (requiring app restart/cache clear), sync issues (like iMessage/Google backup), or locked settings (like "Message History" limits), but also sometimes because deleted messages go to a "Recently Deleted" folder that needs emptying or because the app's data is corrupted. Try restarting your phone, clearing the messaging app's cache, checking the "Recently Deleted" folder in your app, and ensuring no auto-delete settings are enabled in your phone's main settings.
Manually delete text messages from Android phone:
When your messages are synced with Google backup and you don't disable this syncing before deleting the messages, they reappear on your device. Sometimes, deleted texts reappear on Android due to full Android phone's caches. Your Android phone's cache saves tiny bits of data that are used by your web browser and apps.
Here are some general methods:
Several mobile service providers allow you to block the sender by forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (or "SPAM"). Check with your provider about options. Be careful about giving out your mobile phone number or any other personal information.
With iCloud Photos enabled, your entire photo library will seamlessly sync across all your Apple Devices and iCloud linked to the same Apple ID. If you delete a photo on your iPhone but the deletion does not fully sync, iCloud will download that photo you thought were erased to your iPhone, making it reappear.
Check the Recycle Bin or Trash folder in your messaging app. Some Android phones, like Samsung Galaxy models, have this feature. Restore from a Google Drive backup if you have it enabled. Go to Settings > System > Backup to locate your backed-up data.
When you use Messages in iCloud, the text messages and the attachments that you send and receive use your iCloud storage. You can make more space available when you delete texts and attachments — like photos, videos, and files — that you don't need anymore.
There are various reasons your iPhone Messages app may not be functioning properly. Here are some of the most common ones: Airplane Mode is turned on. Your network isn't connected.
Still, the thing is that there is a limited time: you only have two days to use the "Delete for Everyone" feature after sending a message. Once that time is up, the option to delete for everyone disappears, and you can only remove the message for yourself.
Go to the Messages app on your iPhone. At the top of the conversation list, tap Edit. Tap Select Messages, then select conversations you want to delete. , then tap Delete.
In short, users back up their messages and photos on iCloud. Then, when a photo or message gets deleted, they don't realize it's only being deleted on their device, not iCloud. Therefore, when Apple resets their phone, it downloads all of the information off of iCloud, including deleted photos and messages.
An iOS Bug: The most common reason for the “Erase all Content and Settings” not working is an iOS bug. Wrong Passcode: If you're entering the wrong passcode or your iPhone passcode not working, you won't be able to reset your phone via this method.
Apple iPhone Delete Text Messages
There's no fixed timeframe—it depends on your phone's storage activity. Deleted texts remain recoverable until new data overwrites them, which could happen within hours, days, or weeks, depending on how much you use your phone (e.g., texting, downloading apps, taking photos).
Here's how to do it:
Deleting old text messages can help free up storage and tidy up your smartphone, but don't expect it to solve your device's slowing performance. Unless the text messages you kept contain gigabytes worth of attachments, clearing them out won't lead to palpable improvements.