Categories: Tech

How to bulk delete spam and old text messages on Android

If your Android messaging app is overflowing with old texts, you’re not alone.

Many people find their message inboxes cluttered with conversations that are no longer relevant.

Luckily, there are some quick and easy steps you can take to clean things up and keep your messages organized. (iPhone users, follow these tips.)

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A man texting on his Android. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

How to bulk delete messages on Android

Follow these steps to easily bulk delete messages on your Android device:

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Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Open your Messages app on your Android device.
Navigate to the conversation you want to delete and press and hold it until it gets selected. You’ll notice a small checkmark in a blue bubble indicating it’s selected.
Now, you can tap on other message threads to select multiple conversations at once. This is a great way to delete several chats in one go.
Once you’ve selected all the threads you want to remove, look for the trash can icon, usually located at the top of the screen, and tap on it.
Then confirm by clicking “Move to Trash.” Just like that, all those selected messages are deleted in one swift action.

Steps to bulk delete messages on Android. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

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How to prevent future clutter in the messages app on your Android

To stop messages from piling up again in the messages app on your Android, perform these steps:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Head back into your Messages app.
Tap on the three little dots in the top right corner.
This will open up your Settings, and tap on it.
Scroll down until you find “More Settings,” and tap on that.
Then look for “Delete Old Messages.” Toggle this option on, and your phone will automatically clear out older messages for you.

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Steps to delete old messages automatically on Android. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

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Important Note: Be cautious with this setting. It will permanently delete older messages once you reach 1,000 texts, 100 multimedia messages or 5,000 chats. If you often need to reference old messages, consider leaving this setting off to avoid losing important information.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Cleaning up your messages app can significantly enhance your messaging experience. By following these simple steps for bulk deleting and enabling automatic deletion, you can maintain an organized inbox without the hassle of manual cleanup every few weeks. Remember to regularly check your settings and adjust them based on your messaging habits.

What’s your biggest challenge with maintaining a clutter-free inbox? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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