Deleted Conversations in Messages (iMessage) Keep Coming Back!

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Deleted Conversations in Messages (iMessage) Keep Coming Back!

Hello-

I get a lot of spam messages in iMessage on my 2013 MacBook Pro running Big Sur. I want to delete them permanently (and block the sender, but I'll ask about that separately).

When I right (control) click to Delete Conversation, or Swipe Left (trackpad) to Delete or use the File Menu to delete the selected conversation, it disappears; but then returns later in the day. I can recreate the problem by clicking "Preferences" and then clicking "Sync Now." When I do this, it instantly brings back all the Conversations I have deleted.

It's my understanding (and the warning before clicking "Delete" confirms this) that when I delete a Conversation it should be permanently deleted on all my devices. This is certainly not happening.

What can I do?

Sincerely,

DHMart

Posted on Jan 28, 2021 10:34 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

DHMart Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 31, 2021 9:22 AM in response to Matthew.S81

Hi, Matthew-

I use iMessage on my iPhone and iPad in addition to my MacBook Pro. And I just checked to see if I had Messages in iCloud turned on. It was set to OFF for my iPhone and iPad.

So I switched it on and then tried deleting Conversations on my MacBook Pro. It appears to have worked!

So the key learning here is that if you have iMessages on many devices, it you need Messages in iCloud turned on otherwise it confuses the sync process in some way (does that sound about right?).

Many thanks for the response.

DM

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Answer 2

Jan 31, 2021 8:47 AM in response to DHMart

Hi there DHMart,

We understand that conversations that were deleted in the Message application keep returning. We’d like to help however we can.

To confirm, are you using Messages in iCloud?

Use Messages in iCloud

If so, does this also happen if you delete these conversations from another device?

Are there any updates available for your Mac?

How to update the software on your Mac

Take care!

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Answer 3

Feb 3, 2021 10:52 AM in response to DHMart

DM,

We appreciate that additional information. Let’s continue to look into what’s happening together since this continues even after enabling Messages in iCloud on all your devices.

To confirm, did you also check for any available software updates for your Mac? Are the messages that keep returning iMessages or SMS/MMS messages?

Is Messages in iCloud still enabled on all your devices or did you disable it after the messages returned on your Mac?

Cheers!

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Answer 4

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Feb 3, 2021 12:50 PM in response to DHMart

DM,

Good to know, thank you for providing those details.

To confirm, changing the “You can be reached for messages at:” account to just Gmail resolved the issue again? If it did but the issue returns, then we would recommend contacting Apple Support to get the best assistance with this going forward.

Get Support

Best regards.

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Answer 5

DHMart Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 2, 2021 11:17 AM in response to DHMart

Hi, Matt-

I spoke too soon. All the deleted conversations came back about a half hour after my reply above.

I am truly not sure what to do. On my iPhone they stay deleted, but on my laptop they keep coming back.

Any help or advice would be welcome.

DM

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Answer 6

DHMart Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 3, 2021 11:12 AM in response to melissa_m77

Hi, Melissa-

Messages in iCloud is still enabled. I tried disabling it and it did not appear to solve the problem.

The software on my mobile devices and laptop are all current.

The messages that keep returning are mostly (if not all) SMS messages.

One thing that I tried that may have worked (only a little time will tell) is I reduced my "You can be reached for messages at:" to only my gmail account, my mobile number, and my iCloud email address. Prior to that, I had AOL and Yahoo email addresses on that list as well.

Thank you!

DM

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Answer 7

DHMart Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 3, 2021 1:12 PM in response to jeremy_v

The issue returned. The conversations all came back.

Thanks,

DM

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Deleted Conversations in Messages (iMessage) Keep Coming Back!

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