Q: how can I delete messages across all devices on iMessage ?

Hi,

This is not a feature of what Apple calls "Sync" in Messages.

Basically each device you have has a unique Login to the iMessages servers based on the Serial Number.

The iMessages servers push the iMessages to the devices until they accept.

This is achieved by the iMessages servers effectively "copying" the iMessages until there is a "Copy" for each device.

Then there is not connection between any of them.

What is received by one device is unconnected to any received by another device.

It is best to think of them as different iMessages even though the content looks the same.

So once an iMessage has left the servers it has nothing to do with any "copies" to sync them  in the way a Mail Server set up might.

It is more like a POP server in mail being accessed by several devices set to "Leave the message on Server"  than IMAP servers.

There are subtle differences in which iMessages show the "Read" or "Delivered" info back to the send based on which Apple ID or iPhone number it is sent to.

That is to say that if your iPhone and Mac are both set to use the iPhone number as a Send and Receive option and the iPhone is set to respond with the "Read" option then if that iPhone is Off Line for some reason the Mac will see the iMessages as it syncs to the Mac but it will not respond with the  "Read"  info.  The Mac will only send a "Read" option if the iMessages is to the Apple ID.

To be clear. In this case "Sync" is only "Display on all devices".

8:22 pm      Sunday; December 13, 2015

Is there a setting for this to ensure that all messages delete across the devices?

My iMessages delete across all of our devices (2 iphones) automatically.

I prefer they only delete on the one device.

Hi,

It has been some time since I used two iPhone Numbers with one Apple ID which effectively links two iPhone to one Mac for Messages.

Having said that  my iPad (which is using the Same iOS ads my iPhone) does not delete the same iMessages that I delete on the iPhone.

But then again it tends to use the Apple ID first and then link to the iPhone Number.

I also tend to delete whole conversations rather than individual iMessages.

5:05 pm      Saturday; January 2, 2016

I understand that syncing the deletion of conversations across devices isn't a feature, and thank you for the explanation, Ralph. 

However, I believe what Neil is suggesting is certainly how the Message app SHOULD work.  It's perfectly obvious to Neil, to me, and I should think to everyone that we don't want to have to delete conversations on each device.  I don't care what the explanation is.  Make it so, Apple.  Make it "just work".

Because of this need to clean house manually, I don't use the Message app on my MacBook Pro.  I'd like to, but it's just too much of a pain after using only the Messsage app on my iPhone for weeks, to look on my MBP and find it looking like a garbage scow of dead conversations.  It's not right.  I know it.  You know it.  Enough already.  Little things like this are starting to pile up, requiring me to count to ten more and more often.

Hi,

You can tell them what ever you feel is required at http://www.apple.com/feedback/messages.html

It is very similar to the iChat page but includes more up-to-date drop downs regarding Versions and OS X versions.

I personally prefer that even if I clear my iPhone down a bit to make sure it has space that they are not removed from my Mac unless I specifically say so that the Save on Close has a chance to save them first.

8:26 pm      Wednesday; June 15, 2016

I can see your point, too, Ralph. It should be an option then, and you should be able to specify the default behavior. The other behavior would then require a long press.

I AGREE, messages on one devices should delete automatically on all my other devices (iOS and OS X) using the same Apple ID.  I came here specifically to find out why this annoyance is happening.

I'm am sick and tired of having to delete the same message on one device, after having done so on the other.  Because of this, I'm often having to go into the message to see if it's been something I've already deleted, so I don't accidentally delete a message I haven't read. Absolutely annoying.

I was so pleased when Mail changed to imap from pop and my email started to "sync" as one would expect. Everything on one device is exactly the same on another, so why not Messages???

Apple PLEASE fix this, please I'm begging which is somewhat humiliating.

Hi,

It is not designed that way.

The word "sync" is effectively a misnomer in this case.

The phrase "Display on all Devices" describes what it does more effectively.

Each iMessage is addressed either to an iPhone Number or Apple ID.

Each iMessages that could be sent to several registered devices is then flagged to be delivered to those devices.

The server attempt to Push the iMessages to the registered devices until such time that the device accepts it.

There is no link between that device and the other that might also receive it.

It can be somewhat beneficial if it is thought of as the iMessage Server "copies" the iMessages fro delivery to the registered devices and effectively delivers them independently.

You could ask apple to change that http://www.apple.com/feedback/messages.html

7:45 pm      Monday; August 1, 2016