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

It appears there's no longer a delete shortcut key in the Messages app for Big Sur.


Is there a way to set one up?


There's also no 'X' at the end of selected message to delete.


The functionality now is to right click on the message and select delete.


Posted on Nov 14, 2020 12:03 PM

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Question marked as Best answer

Did you select App Shortcuts from the category list?

Posted on Nov 14, 2020 7:34 PM

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Question marked as Helpful

Nov 14, 2020 7:44 PM in response to Barney-15E

Perfect, I added it and used the exact name in the Messages app.


1) Add the shortcut via the Keyboard/Shortcuts tab

2) Select App Shortcut

3) Use the drop down to find the Messages app

4) Click on the + option while selecting on All Applications

5) Type in the exact name of the menu you wish to setup up a shortcut for (e.g., Delete Conversation...)

6) Pick the shortcut keys and done

7) Check the Messages app and now there is a shortcut key for deleting a converstion

73 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Nov 14, 2020 7:44 PM in response to Barney-15E

Perfect, I added it and used the exact name in the Messages app.


1) Add the shortcut via the Keyboard/Shortcuts tab

2) Select App Shortcut

3) Use the drop down to find the Messages app

4) Click on the + option while selecting on All Applications

5) Type in the exact name of the menu you wish to setup up a shortcut for (e.g., Delete Conversation...)

6) Pick the shortcut keys and done

7) Check the Messages app and now there is a shortcut key for deleting a converstion

Nov 18, 2020 10:34 AM in response to Steve_lad_GB

They must have dropped that functionality on that dialog box in Big Sur.

I've used it on other dialogs in other apps, but maybe they are stripping it out or just failed to implement it on Messages "Delete Conversation…" Cmd+<first letter of button> was fairly common on most macOS apps.


I suppose the next best thing is to turn on "Use keyboard navigation to move focus between controls" in the Shortcuts tab of Keyboard system prefs. You would then need to tab to the delete button and hit spacebar to activate it.

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

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