The newest iOS 11.3 update enables a feature that asks if you're sure you want to delete a text message/iMessage once you choose the delete option. It's making me crazy! I tried searching through the settings to remove this deletion confirmation, but can't find anything on the topic. Is there any way to remove this feature?
iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 11.2.6, iOS 11.3
Dave in Oxford wrote:
Every so often Apple comes up with a "Feature" that so small and so annoying that begs the question as to whether they ever consult with a user. YES! Delete confirmation is an unnecessary addition to IOS and we can only hope that some security patch will remove it
No, Apple doesn't consult with users. Instead, they see what users do with their phones and often introduce features based on what they perceive as a real need. This is one such feature. Daily, multiple users come here to these user only forums begging for help to recover an accidentally deleted text message. In most cases, the only way to get the message back is to restore from backup, which often people simply don't have.
So, this very small change was introduced to help the countless thousands of users to ensure when they use swipe to delete that they truly do want to delete the message.
Are you aware there is another simple method to delete messages that will not ask you to confirm you want to delete? Yes, Apple provided the best of BOTH worlds to users. Simply use the Edit/Tap Messages(s)/Tap Trash icon and voila, message(s) delete without confirmation. That can't be any more cumbersome could it? It's three steps, just like it was before on swipe to delete.
Many Apple experts and/or employees monitor this group, provide answers to users, and report back to apple on possible improvements.
Apple employees are not reading here and reporting back about this issue. The Host read posts to make sure that people behave. And, sometimes, if there is an issue that an engineer is tasked with resolving, they may come read the forums. But, as this is not something that's broken, it's not going to happen in this case.
We're looking for solutions and sharing information.
Only Apple can make the change you want. This is a user-to-user forum. Apple is not reading here for suggestions. Please use the feedback page if you want them to know your opinion:
With iCloud Messages coming soon, and the many posts here, and calls to AppleCare, asking how to retrieve accidentally deleted messages, I seriously doubt it will be changed back. The best anyone can hope for is an option to turn it off but Apples isn't really known for doing that.
Karina181 wrote:
Howwwwwwww. Ugh. I hate this feature. So annoying. I thought there was previously a way to turn it off and on. I need it OFFFFFFF. like yesterday. Thanks.
No one here can turn it off. And, it's highly unlikely Apple will now that iCloud syncing has been released. But, give Apple your feedback if you want. The link has been posted repeatedly in this thread.
No you cannot. I submitted a bug report for this about 2 weeks ago. Hopefully enough will complain and they will remove. It’s utterly stupid.
You can select Edit then tick the box for the messages you want to delete. Sort of a lame work around but it doesn’t prompt you at least. Mr. Jobs is missed...
michaelcallan wrote:
Take this prompt away as soon as possible, Apple.
Nope, not going to do it.
No.
How odd (or maybe dumb) it is that if you click “Edit” and choose even ONE message in the list, it doesn’t ask for confirmation that you want to delete it !
rwyke wrote:
I searched too and could find no way to disable it.
That's because you can't.
Adding my 2 cents! I HATE IT!!! I posted same question here and was told to report to apple. My suggestion to the apple eggheads was to add in settings under messaging a CHOICE to enable or disable this so-called enhancement. Here’s the link to voice your disgust.
Boobaluuu wrote:
No you cannot. I submitted a bug report for this about 2 weeks ago. Hopefully enough will complain and they will remove. It’s utterly stupid.
Let me try to understand you. The iPhone functions EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE USER GUIDE nd you describe that operation as a "bug." Amazing!
I just downloaded an update and this feature came with it...by researching it seems it’s a new feature due to so many complaints about accidental deleting...and the feature can’t be turned off. I have NEVER written a complaint before, but this is the dumbest thing I’ve ever encountered...it should be an on/off option....simply ridiculous !!!
rmurjani wrote:
How odd (or maybe dumb) it is that if you click “Edit” and choose even ONE message in the list, it doesn’t ask for confirmation that you want to delete it !
That method has already been pointed out several times, so the people who are having serious anxiety attacks about a tiny added step which has been repeatedly asked for by other users, would know that there were alternative ways to go about doing a deletion.
And as for your observation that there is no way to recover from a mistaken deletion of a message, you are incorrect. This just makes the need for recovering it much less likely.
This is not a "discussion" forum. You can go to Facebook or Twitter if you want to have discussions. This is a user to user technical support forum. We volunteer here to answer questions and to help people sort out issues they may be having with their Apple stuff. That's it.
GB
jessicaborrini wrote:
The newest iOS 11.3 update enables a feature that asks if you're sure you want to delete a text message/iMessage once you choose the delete option. It's making me crazy! I tried searching through the settings to remove this deletion confirmation, but can't find anything on the topic. Is there any way to remove this feature?
No. It was added because there have been a continuous stream of posts (5 or more a day) similar to this:
Accidentally deleted whole text convo on my IPhone 7! Help!
But if you had bothered to read the thread you posted to you would have known the answer and wouldn't have had to waste time posting, time in which you probably could have deleted hundreds of threads using the new option that is making you crazy.
Marvelite wrote:
If you do multiple delete it doesn’t ask are you sure you want to delete. So guess just wait till you have multiple messages you want to delete then just delete them that way? Still stupid we don’t have an option to turn that off. Come on Apple you are better than this.
That's right. So the reality is, Apple provided the best of both worlds for the user. One method asks if you want to delete. One doesn't. Win Win for ALL users!
iOS 11.3 - Delete Message Confirmation
