How to delete "imported" messages on Mac

"imported" messages? Found "on my Mac;" how do I delete?

Mac mini, macOS 15.6

Posted on Dec 8, 2025 3:05 PM

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azaksalmarzur28

Level 4

2,126 points

Posted on Dec 10, 2025 11:50 PM

“Imported” and “On My Mac” messages are local-only archives, often created after macOS upgrades or restores.
You can safely delete them from the Messages sidebar or from ~/Library/Messages/.
This does not remove any messages from your iPhone or iCloud.

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Top-ranking reply

azaksalmarzur28

Level 4

2,126 points

Dec 10, 2025 11:50 PM in response to Tahoe Donna

“Imported” and “On My Mac” messages are local-only archives, often created after macOS upgrades or restores.
You can safely delete them from the Messages sidebar or from ~/Library/Messages/.
This does not remove any messages from your iPhone or iCloud.

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How to delete "imported" messages on Mac

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