[Solved] Deleting messages on your Apple Watch will also delete all messages on your iPhone.

In iOS 18 and watchOS 11, when you delete a message on your iPhone or Apple Watch, it’s automatically deleted from your paired device. This is a subtle but useful feature that makes organizing the Apple ecosystem easier. Keep your inbox organized without having to manage the same text on different platforms.

However, not everyone is in favor of this change. With small screens like smartwatches, it’s easy to accidentally delete something. It’s easy to accidentally tap or swipe an element. This update further limits your syncing capabilities, so you might find it more restrictive than helpful. If you share the same sentiments, here’s what you need to know.

How do I delete messages on only one device?

As of this writing, that is not possible. Messages sync in real time between your Apple Watch and iPhone. To turn off iCloud, setting > [your Apple ID] > messageHowever, the text will no longer enter completely on your smartwatch.

How to retrieve deleted messages or conversations on iPhone

1. Open recently deleted

2. Restore from iCloud backup

If the text isn’t in Recently Deleted, restore it from your iCloud backup. A complete factory reset is required. Although time consuming, it is an effective way to restore all data lost during the last update, including old conversations.

Note

This only works if the messages were backed up before being deleted. If your iCloud backup was created after you lost it, those messages can’t be recovered.

1. go to setting > common and scroll down to Transfer or reset your iPhonee.
2. choice Erase all content and settingsTap Continue Confirm the action.
3. Wait until your device restarts.
4. choose Restore from iCloud backup.

3. Back up from Time Machine

If your iCloud backup is out of date, use Time Machine. You can revert to an older version of the Messages app, so you can get back chats you deleted months ago. However, keep in mind that this only works if you regularly back up your Time Machine data.

1. open message On your Mac.
2. in menu bar at the top of the screen time machine icon.
   
3. choice enter the time machine—This will show you your current files along with a timeline of past backups.
   
4. Use the timeline on the right side of the Time Machine window to go back to a date when the messages you want to restore were still there.
5. move to ~/Library/Messages. You can access this folder by clicking on the Library folder in your user directory. look for file chat.db—This file contains message history.
6. If you find it chat.db file Select it from your desired backup and click restore. Time Machine saves this file message folder.
   
7. rear time machine Once the restore is complete, open again message Check if your message history was successfully restored.

4. Downgrade to iOS 17

If you really don’t like this new feature, consider downgrading your OS. In iOS 18 and watchOS 11, you can’t turn off message sync between devices. This is a built-in feature. Currently, the only way to completely remove this new feature is to install an older OS version.

Fair warning: Downgrading is a relatively complicated process. This is ideal for users who have experience performing intermediate-level troubleshooting on Apple devices. Don’t forget to back up your data properly.

Another option is to wait and see if Apple decides to add more control over message sync in the future. If enough users request it, the necessary adjustments may be made in a point release of iOS or watchOS. Check out Apple Newsroom or enable automatic updates on your device to stay informed of developments.