Big Sur - Keyboard shortcut key for deleting messages in the Messages app?

After selecting App Shortcuts, click the Add button ( + ) to create a new shortcut.

Choose the app it applies to (Messages) and type in the name of the command as it appears in the menu.

Click in the Shortcut field and type the command you want to use to invoke the menu item.

Instructions, here: Create keyboard shortcuts for apps on Mac - Apple Support

My trackpad allows me to use two fingers to swipe left. Then the delete icon appears. This mimics the iPhone.

Thanks for the tip jadubin...I find that this is actually faster than the keyboard shortcut now because you can swipe left, click delete with one hand, tab (to select the delete option) and spacebar to delete. I think the point overall is that you can no longer select multiple messages using the shift key and then delete en masse

You can make your own shortcut if you need one. I posted instructions near beginning of the post.

I went to the category list of shortcuts. There is no delete short cut. There's just Show Help Menu

I went to the category list of shortcuts. There is no delete short cut. There's just Show Help Menu

I have no idea what you are trying to do. My reply, above, was how to create a shortcut, not how to delete one. The only ones you can delete are the ones you make in the App Shortcuts category. You'd just select the shortcut and click the – button.

I'm sorry, you were quite right, I'm trying to find a shortcut that will allow me to delete messages. I thought that was the thread I was on. Can you then take me from the point where I am in the App Shortcuts menu, and tell me how to create a "Delete" shortcut? I would be most grateful

So I tried the lame-o suggestion with the shortcut key. Really useless - when the action is greyed out in the message menus.

The "X" was perfect and was not an issue If i am specifically placing my mouse on the "X" i am intentionally looking to delete. why do I need to confirm delete. history of messages is always there. Simply if it was not broken, then why fix it what is not broken. Feels like a a bigger mouse trap.

The swipe is not even acceptable, But this is HIGH FRICTION - which goes against all of Apples principles.

1. Swipe Left with Two fingers ( Sort of more inconvenient/problematic on a mouse )
2. Click the Delete,
3. Click on the Confirm

Lastly a major point, apparently the designer and even the developer may be out of touch with Fitts's Law

Viola - Formula for Complete Disaster. I preferred the Old Apple Low Friction, form and design.

Why would Apple remove the 'x' key to delete Messages on the Mac? Makes no sense! The previous functionality works so well, why complicate matters by adding an extra keystroke or two?

I downgraded back to Catalina to get this functionality back. I will stay with Catalina.

You have to type the command exactly as found in the menu, including the ellipsis if there is one. On a US keyboard, option-; creates an ellipsis. Or, it will take three periods (or it should).

Here is the help page for creating custom shortcuts: Create keyboard shortcuts for apps on Mac - Apple Support

The irony is that Apple support page says all you need to do is press delete after selecting the message 🤦🏻‍♂️:

https://support.apple.com/guide/messages/keyboard-shortcuts-ichtc78b3bff/mac

No, it doesn't. It says you can delete a message by selecting it, then pressing the delete key.

This thread is not about deleting a message. It is about Conversations.

A message is a single item in a Conversation. Selecting one and pressing the delete key will delete the message after confirmation.

Yes, Apple... what was your Big Sur team thinking? Bring back the "X" or a keystroke for deleting msgs! Pull downs for deleting are simply archaic and time eaters.

yeah, they should make a one-click delete button and shortcut-key, with an undo option, if you click by mistake. Rather than a confirm dialog.

Did this and it did not work.