Delete messages and conversations in Messages on Mac
Messages saves your conversations automatically, so even if you turn off your Mac or start using another device, you can pick up where you left off. You may choose to delete messages and entire conversations.
Delete a message
In the Messages app
on your Mac, select a conversation.To search for contacts and content in conversations, click in the Search field in the top-left corner and enter what you’re looking for. Or, choose from the suggested contacts, links, photos, and more.
If you’re restricted to sending and receiving messages with only certain people, an hourglass icon
Do any of the following to delete one or more messages:
Delete messages: Select one or more messages (including text messages, photos, videos, files, web links, audio messages, or emoji) in the transcript, then press Delete.
Delete all messages within a conversation: Choose Edit > Clear Transcript.
This keeps the conversation in your sidebar while removing all contents from the transcript.
You can set how long to keep messages—Choose Messages > Preferences, click General, then click the “Keep messages” pop-up menu and choose an option.
Important: If you choose an option other than Forever, your conversations (including all attachments) are automatically removed after the specified time period is over.
Delete a conversation
Note: You can’t recover a deleted conversation.
In the Messages app
on your Mac, select a conversation.To search for contacts and content in conversations, click in the Search field in the top-left corner and enter what you’re looking for. Or, choose from the suggested contacts, links, photos, and more.
If you’re restricted to sending and receiving messages with only certain people, an hourglass icon
Do any of the following to delete a conversation:
Delete an empty conversation: Move the pointer over an empty conversation, then click the Close button
.Delete a conversation: Select a conversation, then choose File > Delete Conversation. Or, if you have a trackpad or a Magic Mouse, you can also swipe left with two fingers on the conversation in the sidebar, then click the Delete button
.If you use Messages in iCloud, deleting a conversation on your Mac deletes it from all of your devices where Messages in iCloud is turned on. See Use Messages in iCloud.
To stop receiving messages from a business chat, delete the conversation. Alternatively, you can turn off notifications.