How to Delete Messages on Mac or MacBook

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Managing your messages is important for keeping your Mac organized and secure. Learning how to delete messages on Mac can help you clear clutter and free up space. Whether it’s removing personal chats or unnecessary files, the process is simple once you know the steps.

Knowing how to delete messages on Mac is also useful for privacy. Deleting messages ensures sensitive information doesn’t remain on your device. This is especially important if you share your Mac with others or if it’s used for work purposes.

In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to delete messages, attachments, and conversations on your Mac. These easy-to-follow instructions will make it simple for anyone to maintain a clean Messages app.

To delete specific messages or attachments:

1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.

2. Select a conversation from the sidebar.

3. Click on the specific message or attachment you want to delete.

4. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

5. A pop-up will appear. Click “Delete” to confirm.

This action will move the deleted message or attachment to the “Recently Deleted” folder. Remember, this only removes the message from your device, not from the recipient’s.

You can also delete multiple messages by selecting several at once. Hold the Command key while clicking each message, then press Delete and confirm.

If you want to delete an entire conversation, follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app.

2. Locate the conversation you want to delete in the sidebar.

3. Right-click (or Control-click) on the conversation.

4. Choose “Delete” from the menu.

5. Confirm your choice by clicking “Delete” in the dialog box.

For a quicker method, you can swipe left on the conversation using a trackpad or Magic Mouse and click the delete button.

Deleting a conversation is a great way to declutter your Messages app, especially if you no longer need the conversation or if it’s taking up too much space with attachments.

Sometimes, you might want to delete multiple attachments like photos, videos, or documents at once. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Messages app and select a conversation.

2. Click the “Info” button in the top-right corner of the screen.

3. Scroll down to a specific category, such as “Photos” or “Documents.”

4. Click “Show More” to see all files in that category.

5. Select the files you want to delete by holding the Shift key and clicking on each file.

6. Right-click (or Control-click) and choose “Delete.”

7. Confirm by clicking “Delete” in the dialog box.

This method allows you to clear space by removing unnecessary attachments without deleting the entire conversation. It’s especially useful if you’re managing a conversation with a large number of media files.

To keep your Messages app tidy, you can set it to automatically delete old messages. Here’s how:

1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.

2. Go to the menu bar and select “Messages,” then click “Settings.”

3. In the Settings window, click on the “General” tab.

4. Find the “Keep Messages” option and select a time frame from the drop-down menu:

- 30 Days

- 1 Year

- Forever

If you choose “30 Days” or “1 Year,” the Messages app will automatically delete conversations and attachments older than the selected time frame. This feature is ideal for saving storage space without manual effort.

Enabling this setting is particularly helpful for users who frequently receive large files or have limited storage space on their Mac.

Deleted messages and attachments are stored in the “Recently Deleted” folder for 30 days. To permanently remove them before the 30 days are up, follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app.

2. From the menu bar, select “View” and click on “Recently Deleted.”

3. Browse the list of deleted items and select the ones you want to remove permanently.

4. Click “Delete” and confirm your choice by following the on-screen instructions.

Once deleted from the “Recently Deleted” folder, these items cannot be recovered. Be cautious when removing important files or conversations.

For those concerned about security, this step ensures sensitive information is completely erased from your device. It’s a good habit to regularly check the “Recently Deleted” folder and clear it out as needed.

By following these steps, you can efficiently manage your messages and attachments on Mac, keeping your device clutter-free and secure. Regular maintenance of the Messages app not only saves storage space but also ensures your personal information remains private.