Unlike Messages app in macOS, clearing messages history in iOS Messages app is fairly simple. The Messages app of Mac doesn’t have any in-app option to delete chat history.
As it keeps track of entire chat history of iMessages or SMS, caches, attachment and more, over the time the chat history piles up and becomes problematic for your Mac.
Though Messages app chat history can be very useful in providing you the comprehensive record of your conversations, it’s needed to be edited from time to time so that it doesn’t clutter your Mac for space.
Let me take you through the simple process of cleaning up your Mac in the easiest possible manner.
How to Delete iMessages Chat History on Mac
Step #1. Close Message app, if it’s opened.
Step #2. Open Finder and press CMD+Shift+G to bring up “Go To Folder” window.
Step #3. Now, in the dialog box Enter ~/Library/Messages/
Step #4. Up next, you will need to select all the files which you want to remove and then move them to Trash.
The files would be named as chat.db, chat.db.shm, chat.db.wal, etc. (you can delete the individual file if you don’t want to remove the entire chat history.)
Step #5. Clean up the trash and restart your Mac.
That’s it!
Remember, all the conversation attachments such as video, audio, gif, photos, etc. are stored in a separate folder. Hence, you will need to move ahead with the further steps to delete the attachment files.
How To Clean Up the Attachment Files on Mac
Step #1. Go to Finder.
Step #2. Hit the Command+Shift+G
Step #3. Now enter the ~/Library/Messages/Attachments/
You’ll see the attachment files listed randomly. Now, you can select files and delete them as usual.
That’s all!
Do you know any other way of cleaning up the Messages app chat history? If yes, do share it with us in the comments below.
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