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I’m hoping to free up space on my iPad by deleting the Messages app. Will I keep all of my messages and attachments on my iPhone? I have iCloud turned on for Messages.
Thank you!
iPad mini, iOS 12
Deleting an App removes all associated data from the device - but shouldn’t affect data on other devices. Deleting messages themselves, if synchronised via iCloud, will delete messages across devices.
When in doubt, simply disable iCloud for the affected App on the iPad (thus breaking the link with iCloud) before deleting data. Messages on iPhone will be unaffected - and can still be seen and managed on your iPhone; iPhone can also continue to synchronise with/backup to iCloud.
Deleting an App removes all associated data from the device - but shouldn’t affect data on other devices. Deleting messages themselves, if synchronised via iCloud, will delete messages across devices.
When in doubt, simply disable iCloud for the affected App on the iPad (thus breaking the link with iCloud) before deleting data. Messages on iPhone will be unaffected - and can still be seen and managed on your iPhone; iPhone can also continue to synchronise with/backup to iCloud.
Unless I am missing something, according to this, you can’t delete the message app. This is the list of apps that you can delete.
Delete built-in Apple apps on your iOS 12, iOS 13, or iPadOS device or Apple Watch - Apple Support
If I delete the Messages app on my iPad, will my messages/attachments stay on my iPhone?
