How to Delete All Large Attachments on iPhone At once

Having a cluttered iPhone can be frustrating, especially when it starts affecting your device’s performance. One major culprit for this clutter can be the large attachments that accumulate in your Messages app. These attachments take up precious storage space and can slow down your device. In this blog post, we will explore the challenge of deleting all large attachments on your iPhone at once and provide you with some effective methods to tackle this issue.

The Challenge of Deleting All Large Attachments on iPhone At Once

When it comes to deleting large attachments on your iPhone, you might face a few challenges. Here are some of the main ones:

• Manual Deletion: By default, the Messages app on the iPhone does not provide an option to delete all attachments at once. This means you have to manually delete each attachment, which can be a time-consuming and tedious process.
• Storage Space: Large attachments, such as photos, videos, or audio files, can take up a significant amount of storage space on your iPhone. If you have limited storage capacity, managing and deleting these attachments becomes essential to free up space.
• Lack of Visibility: It can be challenging to identify and locate all the large attachments in your Messages app. The iOS operating system does not provide a straightforward way to view and sort attachments by size, making it harder to identify which ones to delete.

Video Tutorial:

Method 1. How to Delete All Large Attachments on iPhone Using the Files App

The Files app on your iPhone provides a convenient way to manage and delete large attachments. Here’s how you can use this method:

Before you proceed with the steps, make sure you have the latest version of iOS installed on your device.

Pros:
– Can delete attachments directly from the Messages app without opening individual conversations.
– Provides a simple and intuitive way to manage and delete large attachments.
– Compatible with various file formats, including photos, videos, and documents.

Cons:
– Requires manual sorting and selection of large attachments.
– May not be suitable for users who have a large number of attachments to delete.

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone. You can find it on your home screen or by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
2. Tap on "Browse" at the bottom of the screen.
3. Scroll down until you find the "On My iPhone" section and tap on it.
4. Tap on the "Messages Attachments" folder.
5. Here, you will find all the attachments from your Messages app. You can explore different folders to locate the large attachments you want to delete.
6. Once you’ve identified a large attachment, tap and hold on it until a menu appears.
7. Tap on "Delete" to remove the attachment from your iPhone.

Repeat steps 6 and 7 for each large attachment you want to delete.

Method 2. How to Delete All Large Attachments on iPhone Using a Third-Party App

If you prefer a more automated approach, you can use third-party apps specifically designed to manage and delete large attachments. Here’s how you can do it:

Pros:
– Provides a quicker and more efficient way to delete large attachments compared to manual deletion.
– Offers additional features and customization options for managing attachments.
– Can often scan your device for all attachments, including hidden ones.

Cons:
– Requires installing and utilizing a third-party app, which may not be preferred by all users.
– Some apps may have limited functionality in the free version, requiring a purchase for full access.

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for "cleaning attachments" or "message attachments cleaner."
2. Choose a suitable app from the search results based on user reviews and ratings.
3. Install the app on your iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions to grant necessary permissions.
4. Once the app is installed and set up, launch it and allow it to scan your iPhone for attachments.
5. Once the scan is complete, the app will display a list of attachments, categorized by size.
6. Depending on the app, you may be able to directly delete all large attachments with a single tap or select specific attachments for deletion.

Follow the app’s instructions to delete the large attachments from your iPhone.

Method 3. How to Delete All Large Attachments on iPhone Manually

If you prefer a more hands-on approach and want to delete large attachments manually, you can do so directly from the Messages app. Here’s how:

Pros:
– No need to install additional apps or rely on third-party solutions.
– Gives you full control over manually selecting and deleting attachments.
– Allows you to review attachments before deleting them.

Cons:
– Time-consuming, especially if you have multiple conversations with large attachments.
– Requires manually identifying and selecting each attachment for deletion.

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on a conversation to view the messages and attachments within it.
3. Locate a message with a large attachment and swipe left on it.
4. Tap on the "More" button that appears.
5. Select the attachments you want to delete by tapping on the circle next to each attachment.
6. Once you’ve selected all the attachments, tap on the trash can icon or the "Delete All" option.
7. Confirm the deletion by tapping on "Delete Messages."

Repeat steps 2 to 7 for each conversation with large attachments.

Method 4. How to Delete All Large Attachments on iPhone Using macOS

If you have a Mac computer, you can also delete large attachments from your iPhone using macOS. Here’s how:

Pros:
– Provides an alternative method to manage and delete large attachments.
– Syncs with the Messages app on your iPhone, allowing you to delete attachments from your computer.
– Can be faster and more convenient for users comfortable with macOS.

Cons:
– Requires a Mac computer running macOS.
– May not be suitable for users who do not have access to a Mac.

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac computer using a USB cable.
2. Open the Messages app on your Mac.
3. Select a conversation that contains large attachments.
4. Locate an attachment you want to delete and right-click on it.
5. Click on "Delete" from the options menu.
6. Confirm the deletion by clicking on "Delete" again.

Repeat steps 3 to 6 for each conversation with large attachments.

Alternatives: What to Do If You Can’t Delete All Large Attachments on iPhone At Once

If the methods mentioned above do not suit your needs or you encounter difficulties, here are some alternative solutions to consider:

1. Clear Conversations: Instead of deleting individual attachments, you can choose to clear entire conversations from the Messages app. This can help remove all attachments associated with a specific conversation and free up storage space.

2. Enable Auto-Deletion: In your iPhone’s settings, you can enable the option to automatically delete messages and attachments after a certain period. This can help prevent large attachments from accumulating in the first place.

3. Use iCloud Storage: If you have limited storage on your iPhone, you can consider using iCloud storage to offload photos, videos, and other attachments. This will allow you to access these attachments whenever needed while freeing up space on your device.

Bonus Tips

Here are some bonus tips to optimize your iPhone’s storage and manage attachments efficiently:

1. Keep a Regular Backup: Before deleting attachments or making any changes to your device, it’s always a good idea to create a backup. This ensures you have a copy of your data in case anything goes wrong during the deletion process.

2. Delete Unnecessary Apps: Uninstalling apps that you no longer use can help free up significant space on your iPhone. Go through your apps and remove any that you haven’t used in a while.

3. Optimize Photos and Videos: Enable the "Optimize iPhone Storage" option in the Photos settings to store high-resolution versions of your media in iCloud while keeping smaller versions on your device. This helps save space without compromising image quality.

5 FAQs About Deleting All Large Attachments on iPhone At Once

Q1: Can I delete attachments from multiple conversations at once?

A: Unfortunately, there is no built-in option to delete attachments from multiple conversations at once. You will need to delete them individually or consider using a third-party app for a more streamlined approach.

Q2: Will deleting large attachments affect the text messages in my conversations?

A: Deleting attachments will only remove the attachments themselves and not the text messages or conversations. You will still be able to view and access the text messages in your conversations after deleting the attachments.

Q3: What happens if I delete attachments from the Messages app?

A: When you delete attachments from the Messages app, they are permanently removed from your device. However, if the attachments were shared with other contacts, they will still have access to them.

Q4: How do I know which attachments are taking up the most space on my iPhone?

A: Unfortunately, the iOS operating system does not provide a direct way to view attachments sorted by size. Using the Files app or a third-party app can help you identify and manage large attachments more effectively.

Q5: Can I recover deleted attachments on my iPhone?

A: Once you delete attachments from your iPhone, they are permanently removed from your device. It is not possible to recover them unless you have a backup of your device that includes the deleted attachments.

In Conclusion

Managing and deleting large attachments on your iPhone is crucial for optimizing storage and improving device performance. Although there is no built-in option to delete all attachments at once, the methods mentioned in this blog post offer effective solutions to tackle this challenge. Whether you choose to use the Files app, third-party apps, or manage attachments manually, following these methods will help you regain storage space and enhance your iPhone experience. Remember to always back up your device before making any significant changes to ensure the safety of your data.