Deleted text messages showing up in spotlight on iPhone

Question

Level 2

195 points

Deleted text messages showing up in spotlight on iPhone

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone else is having this happen. When I use spotlight to search my iPhone, it lists hundreds of previous text messages which I have deleted. If I click on one of the listings it takes me to the messages app, with a blank screen. Anyone else having this issue?

MacBook 2.4GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.5), iPhone 4

Posted on Dec 15, 2010 4:55 PM

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Answer 1

MacLifer

Level 1

8 points

Jan 29, 2011 8:25 AM in response to Cfrazier

I'm having the same problem! How can I fix this?! And please don't tell me that the answer is somewhere else in another thread! If you know where the answer is then can I get a link please?!

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Answer 2

Feb 11, 2011 1:36 AM in response to MacNewbie82

I have tried going into settings>general>spotlight search> and unchecking messages and mail so they dont show up in my spotlight search but this could presumably be amended and then back to square. Is there anyway text message can be permanently deleted from the phone?

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Answer 3

MacNewbie82 Author

Level 2

195 points

Dec 17, 2010 6:18 PM in response to MacNewbie82

Anyone?

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Answer 4

Jan 13, 2011 7:39 PM in response to MacNewbie82

yes. for some reason it saves messages that you swipe and delete. if you manually delete via the edit button then no longer show up in the spotlight search after deletion.

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Answer 5

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,401 points

Jan 13, 2011 7:40 PM in response to MacNewbie82

This has been discussed here several times.

You can do a forum search and see what others have said.

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Answer 6

Jan 13, 2011 7:42 PM in response to peter wiztofski

another thing that might help is to go to the settings>general>spotlight search> and you can uncheck messages and mail so they dont show up in your spotlight! hope that helps.

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Answer 7

Cfrazier

Level 1

0 points

Jan 23, 2011 7:15 PM in response to MacNewbie82

I have the same problem and i have deleted it myself and its still there any more suggestion

Message was edited by: Cfrazier

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Answer 8

Jun 9, 2011 5:47 AM in response to MacNewbie82

Even i am having this prob

Is there anyway text message can be permanently deleted from the phone?

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Answer 9

Jun 17, 2011 11:05 PM in response to MacNewbie82

shinkim40@yahoo.com

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Answer 10

Nov 26, 2012 1:59 PM in response to MacNewbie82

Hey I Figured It Out, You Have To MANUALLY Turn Off Your Phone Then Back On, Once You Do That The Deleted Texts Disappear!!! 😀

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Answer 11

Nov 26, 2012 2:07 PM in response to Libran1783

After you MANUALLY turn your phone off then back on again the deleted texts DISAPPEAR 😀

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Answer 12

Mar 26, 2013 4:52 AM in response to MacNewbie82

What worked for me was to restore the phone to factory settings and then restore the data which had been backed up on Itunes. Deleted messages and emails do not appear on Spotlight anymore!

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