Free up app storage

Free up Messages storage

Apple Messages keeps iMessage photos, videos, voice notes, stickers, and attachments on this iPhone. Group threads and years of Keep Messages set to Forever are usually the reason it grows. Messages is Apple-only. On Android, SMS and RCS live in Google Messages.

See how much space Messages is using

1. Open the iPhone Settings app.
2. Tap General > iPhone Storage.
3. Tap Messages.

Messages does not have a WhatsApp-style Free up Storage screen. iPhone Storage lists the app total and large attachments. That is the official place to see what is eating space.

Delete large attachments from iPhone Storage

1. Open iPhone Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages.
2. Review the largest conversations or attachments in the list.
3. Swipe or select items you do not need, then tap Delete.

This is the fastest way to drop several gigabytes when a few videos dominate the total.

Delete photos and videos from one conversation

1. Open Messages and open the conversation.
2. Tap the contact or group name at the top.
3. Tap Photos (older iOS: in Photos, tap See All).
4. Tap Edit, then Select (or Select Photos).
5. Select the attachments, tap Delete, then confirm Delete Attachment.

Apple documents this path. You can filter to Videos if those are the heavy items. Deleting attachments on your iPhone does not remove them from the other person's device.

Delete a conversation

1. On the conversation list, swipe left on a thread (or touch and hold it).
2. Tap Delete, then confirm.
3. To delete several: tap Edit > Select Messages, pick threads, then tap Delete.

If Messages in iCloud is on, a delete syncs to your other Apple devices signed into the same Apple Account.

Empty Recently Deleted

1. Open Messages.
2. Tap the more menu (three dots) at the top of the conversation list.
3. Tap Recently Deleted.
4. Select conversations, then delete them permanently.

Deleted messages sit here for up to 30 days and still use storage until you remove them or they expire.

Automatically delete old messages

1. Open iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages.
2. Under Message History, tap Keep Messages.
3. Choose 30 Days or 1 Year instead of Forever.

Apple warns that anything other than Forever removes conversations and their attachments after that period. Save important media to Photos first.

Send smaller photos

1. Open iPhone Settings > Apps > Messages.
2. Turn on Low Quality Image Mode.

New photos you send are smaller. This does not shrink attachments already on the phone.

Check Messages in iCloud

1. Open iPhone Settings, tap your name, then iCloud.
2. Open Messages (or Saved to iCloud > Messages).

When this is on, texts and attachments also count toward iCloud storage. Deleting them here frees both the phone (over time) and iCloud. Copies already saved to Photos stay in Photos until you delete those too.

Reinstall the app if storage is still high

If you already cleaned media and Messages still looks huge, a fresh install can clear leftover cache and temp files that are hard to reach by hand.

1. Do not delete Messages unless you accept losing local SMS. If Messages in iCloud is on, iMessage can return after you sign in. Save important attachments to Photos first. Offload App keeps documents and data.
2. Delete the app from your phone.
3. Restart your phone.
4. Install Messages again from the App Store or Google Play.
5. Sign in and restore from backup if the app offers it.

This often frees a lot of space. You may need to download some media again after restore.

What to do next

After Messages is lighter, check your photo library for duplicates and similar shots. That is what Dedupo is for.

More app guides: Free up app storage.