I deleted many messages and attachments on my iPhone to free up space. But this only freed up space on the iPhone itself. How do I selectively delete those *from iCloud?*
Currently my iCloud claims it is completely full, all 5 GB of it. I have hardly anything up there, except apparently almost 5 GB of messages. I don't need 5 GB of messages in cloud storage. How do I reduce that amount and free up space?
Again: reduce *in iCloud?*
Thank you for your reply.
You can make more space available when you delete texts and attachments—like photos, videos, and files—that you don't need anymore.
That's the part in Apple's misleading statements which is the most irritating. It is giving a false impression. Using Messages in iPhone or on Mac will simultaneously store all those messages & attachments in iCloud (if so chosen in one's Settings, say if you want to access the same messages on different devices), taking up enormous space over time.
But unlike Photos or maybe other files it seems you CANNOT thin the herd within Messages, in iCloud. It just won't let you selectively remove things. You can indeed select individual messages or attachments LOCALLY, on your iPhone, and probably free up space ON YOUR iPHONE. But iCloud storage will not reflect this editing process. It will still keep all your bloated files saved in the cloud, NOT allowing you to "make more space available when you delete texts and attachments." So Apple's misleading assurance that you can edit things out in a straightforward manner is simply false. My iCloud storage space of 5GB is apparently still all used up.
It seems you can only delete ALL messages, the whole lot, including all attachments. Then everything will be gone. This does seem to free up space in iCloud.
That's the way it looks to me at the moment.
If I'm missing something, or if there's a better way I would welcome any pointers.
Thanks for your assistance.
Hello Freewheel17,
You are correct. You can delete messages, attachments, and entire conversations from your iPhone itself at any time. Deleted messages and attachments remain in your Recently Deleted folder for up to 30 days, and you can recover them as needed. If you use Messages in iCloud, deleting a message or conversation on your iPhone deletes it from all your devices where Messages in iCloud is on. Deleting messages only affects your iPhone and other devices linked to your Apple ID. You can’t delete messages, attachments, and conversations for anyone else that does not use the same Apple ID.
You can view all this information and more here: Delete messages and attachments on iPhone - Apple Support.
If you would like the feature to work differently, you may want to let Apple know. They're open to any and all feedback you may have to improve their hardware and software. You can leave that feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple.
We hope this information helps you out.
Cheers!
Hi there Freewheel17,
Are you using Messages in iCloud? If so, those messages should be removed from iCloud when deleted in the Messages app:
When you use Messages in iCloud, all of your text messages and the attachments you send and receive use your iCloud storage. You can make more space available when you delete texts and attachments—like photos, videos, and files—that you don't need anymore.
Learn more here: Manage your iCloud storage - Apple Support
Take care.
Thank you both for taking the time to post a response.
I just wanted to emphasize that I was not looking for more instructions on how to delete things on the iPhone itself.
I was looking for ways to do that in iCloud, so my iCloud storage can be freed up. Apple seems to suggest that this can be done, every time the question comes up on how the 5GB iCloud storage limit can be addressed, but in fact all the instructions given deal only with the individual hardware devices, not with iCloud. The issue of how to specifically work iCloud always remains sidestepped, even seemingly avoided.
I wish Apple would be more forthcoming on that point.
Thanks for leaving that Apple Product Feedback link.
How do I delete large attachments from Messages app IN ICLOUD
