iPhone 5 iOS 8.0.2:Trashcan missing to delete iMessages or SMS. Camera replaces trashcan on left corner.If restart, works once, then trashcan replaced by camera. Problem began after update.

After replacing iPhone 5C, with missing trashcan problem, with a new iPhone 6 with pre-loaded iOS 8, the missing trashcan issue transfered with text messages. Checked with new owner of old 5C and the phone no longer has the missing trash can problem. The problem started when downloading iOS 8 to 5C and transfered to iPhone 6 when Verizon transfered old data to new phone (they said the data they transfered would not/could not contain the trashcan issue) but it did! It would SEEM logical to think the problem could be corrected is all text messages were deleted from phone . . . not something i am ready to do. But, how long is it going to take Apple to address this problem?

I bought a new I Phone 6 and transferred my data. I use AT&T. The trash can issue transferred to my new phone. I have the exact same problem with my IPAD when I downloaded IOS8.

I was told at the Apple store that it is a glitch in the IOS 8 software and that EVENTUALLY apple will fix it!

I am glad you solved your problem. However, I do not have any text messages older than when I downloaded IOS 8. In fact, I delete my messages all the time and they are all fairly recent. So this solution will not work for me.

The fact that your problem transfered to a new phone is a strong indication the glitch is imbedded in the transfered data. If it's not in a text message (i assume you did not have any pictures in your text messages, either), perhaps a picture from your camera roll? If not that, what other data was transfered to your new phone? I don't know if it is more than likely to attach itself to a recent addition to your phone, as mine did. But if you have your pics on another device or don't mind getting rid of some, you might try deleting the last few prior to the download. You know 2 things for sure; 1 - the glitch was imbedded in the transferred data AT&T made from your old phone to new (and they can tell you exactly what that involved) and 2- it's imbedded on something prior to the date you downloaded iOS 8. Combining those 2 fact, significantly narrows the possibilities. Good luck, I really hope you can solve this problem because it is soooooo annoying.

Thanks but not sure how to locate the problem. Not only that, the same issue exists with my IPad. I might try making an appointment at my local genius bar and bring your comments.

Thanks.

What a bummer! Genius Bar couldn't help you at all?! Considering so few people seem to have this disappearing trashcan issue, who knows how long it will take Apple to fix it. Could your iPad have acquired it from your phone? I believe my iPad was not affected because i was not texting on it when i downloaded iOS 8. When i did start texting on it, it synced with my phone from that point on, but the glitch was imbedded in a text message prior to that. When it gets "ANNOYING" enough, i think you can track it down if you don't mind deleting some things. It has to be a piece of data that AT&T transfered from your old iPhone 5 (pics, contacts, calendar, reminders, etc.) that was put on your phone before you downloaded iOS 8. If you have a lot that was transfered, it probably would be difficult to pinpoint the problem. Wish i could do more to help, but i guess its up to Apple . . . hope you don't have to wait much longer.

So I was having the exact same issue. I recently had a minor emergency, forgetting my wallet while at the store with my 8 mo. son. The store was to close in 10 minutes, so I didn't have time to run home. My wife sent me a pic of our credit card, and the clerk ran it through, but I couldn't delete the photo! I didn't really want to delete the entire conversation of years of chatting with my wife, because there are some things there that I want to keep. Fortunately, I just updated to the next iOS 8 gen, and the bug has been fixed. I am not sure if the true bug has been fixed or whether it might happen again, however, updating the iOS to 8.2 fixed this problem for me! If you are already on 8.2 and have this problem, I would try a hard reset.

Thanks for your info but I have IOS 8.2 downloaded and it didn't help. I also went to the genius bar and they tried a reset but that didn't help either. They said it is definitely a bug in IOS 8 and eventually it would be fixed. Glad you solved your issue. If it happens again, you just need to close Messages and when it reopens the trash can reappears, at least briefly. I have now temporarily solved the issue by always closing Messages when I am finished with it. Then when I reopen it the trash can is there.

OK, figured out how to delete individual text messages in IOS 8 when the trash can icon doesn't appear, but instead the camera icon appears -

1. Double click on the message bubble.
2. Click on more..
3. Select the message(s) you want to delete
4. The message text box will appear at the bottom instead of a trash can, click on the text box to show the keyboard.
5. Swipe the keyboard down from the top
6. You will now see the trash can.

Seems like a "feature" rather than a bug...

That is not the issue. If I go to messages and click on the bubble and then click more, nothing appears at the bottom - no camera , no trash can. There is not a message text box. They only solution is to close messages and reopen it.

I just experienced this bug for the first time about five minutes ago, and it resulted in the loss of an entire conversation.

This screenshot shows the bug in action (pardon the language, I was very upset):

http://i.imgur.com/GZgDR8A.jpg

This screenshot shows the trashcan icon returning immediately after restarting the iPhone:

http://i.imgur.com/TKsJraX.jpg

The bug occurred on an iPhone 5S running iOS 8.1.1

Not necessary toy restart the phone. Simply close messages and reopen and the trash can will reappear. It's a bug in IOS 8. Genius bar can't fix it. Waiting for Apple to figure out the problem. Have this on my phone and Ipad as well.

so i have two quick solution, some might have already been said. You can exit out of your messages and relog in by clicking the home button, then click it again twice to see what apps have you recently seen, swipe the message app up to log out and then just log in and you will see the trash when you want to delete a single message. also if you pay close attention when your trying to delete the message and you can't see the trash can, turn the phone sideways and you will barely see the top of the trashcan, it will still work if you touch the logo and will be able to delete the messages you want. let me know if it works thanks

Hi Judysain ~ Wanted to wish you the best of luck with Apple's latest update, as it is suppose to FIX THE MISSING TRASHCAN issue!!!!!!!!