How to permanently delete text messages from iphone

Even if you permanently delete text messages on your iPhone, copies can still exist in iCloud if Messages syncing or iCloud backups are enabled. This means deleted conversations may still reappear when restoring a backup or could be accessible to anyone who signs in to your Apple ID. To truly eliminate all traces, you must remove message data from iCloud itself.

Step 1: Turn Off “Messages in iCloud”

If Messages syncing is turned on, Apple stores your entire message history—including deleted ones—across all devices.

Step 2: Delete Old iCloud Backups That Contain Your Messages

Even if Messages sync is off, your text messages may still exist inside older iCloud backups. Anyone restoring that backup would recover your deleted conversations. 

Step 3: Create a Fresh Backup

If you rely on iCloud backups, create a clean one after deleting old backups:

Go to Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now.

This new backup contains no old or deleted messages, ensuring safe future restores.

Permanently deleting SMS on your phone is not enough as iCloud often keeps copies without you realizing it. Turning off syncing and clearing old backups is the only way to ensure deleted messages cannot reappear or be restored.