iOS 7: Clearing Conversations in Messages

The changes in iOS 7 go beyond flat icons and bright colors. Exactly how you perform some tasks you're already familiar with from iOS 6, such as clearing conversations and individual chats in Messages, is a little different now. If you happen to be an iOS adopter that's a little baffled by the new Messages app, we've got you covered.

Clearing entire conversations from Messages in iOS 7 hasn't changed. You can tap Edit in the conversations list to select several at once to delete, or swipe from right to left across a single conversation to delete one at a time.

The big change comes inside conversations when you want to clear individual chat bubbles. Here's how:

  • Tap and hold on a chat bubble until you see the Copy/More pop-up menu
  • Tap More
  • Tap the individual chat bubbles you want to delete
  • Tap the Trash Can to clear the selected chat bubbles

Tap and hold a chat bubble to show the delete optionsTap and hold a chat bubble (left) to show the delete options (right)

If you decide clearing the entire chat instead of just a couple bubbles is a better way to go, there's also a Delete All option at the top of the screen.

Why would I want to clear individual chat bubbles from a conversation? I'm sure some of you have your reasons, and who am I to judge?