How to Delete Large Attachments on iPhone

Regular texting and sharing through the Messages app can quietly fill up your phone with a mountain of attachments. Or maybe you noticing your iPhone slowing down due to large attachments accumulated from regular use of the Messages app? This guide focuses on how to delete large attachments on iPhone, offering simple steps to empty significant amounts of storage. By managing these attachments effectively, you can keep your device running smoothly and maintain ample space for new photos and apps.

How to Find Large Attachments on iPhone

By dealing with large attachments on your iPhone, you can free up significant amounts of storage and improve performance. While iOS occasionally prompts users with notifications to review large attachments, these alerts are not always consistent. For this reason, you need to know how to locate them manually. Allow me to show you where you can find those storage-eating attachments.

Review Attachments in iPhone Storage Settings

1. Tap ‘Settings’ on your iPhone.
2. Go to ‘General’ and then ‘iPhone Storage’.
3. Scroll to find ‘Messages’ and tap on it.
4. You will see attachments sorted by categories here.

Find Large Attachments in Messages App

1. Open the Messages app and choose a conversation.
2. Tap on the contact’s name or info icon at the top.
3. Scroll to view ‘Photos’, ‘Links’, and ‘Attachments’.
4. Here, you can review and manage large files.

Now that you’ve located the large attachments on your iPhone, I’ll provide you with various methods to remove them. Whether you need to delete specific attachments or clear them all at once, the next sections will guide you through how to delete large attachments on your iPhone, helping your device remain efficient and clutter-free.

How to Delete Large Attachments on iPhone

Large attachments can quickly add up, hogging significant storage space on your iPhone and potentially leading to some frustrating moments. For instance, imagine missing the perfect shot of a once-in-a-lifetime scene because your iPhone storage was maxed out with old attachments. It’s not just the usual suspects like downloaded files or photos; attachments in your Messages app, along with those in Mail and other applications, can be the hidden culprits behind overfilled iPhone storage.
I’ll guide you through finding and deleting these large attachments, starting with the Messages app, where they frequently accumulate. By tackling this and other common sources, you’ll better manage your iPhone’s storage and keep your device running smoothly.

Method 1: Remove Large Attachments From the Messages App

The Messages app must be the first place you think to look, as it’s often a primary source of storage issues on your iPhone. It’s not just text messages accumulating; it’s also photos, videos, GIFs, and stickers—all of which can quickly take up significant space. These large attachments can slow down your messaging experience and use up valuable storage. I’ll show you how to pinpoint and delete these files from the Messages app:

1. Open Messages and select a conversation.
2. Tap the contact’s name or the info icon at the top.
3. Scroll to the ‘Photos’ section.
4. Press on “Select’ in the upper right corner.
5. Select the attachments to delete and tap the trash icon.

If you prefer a more direct route to manage large attachments, the iPhone Settings offers a streamlined approach. This method allows you to clear out attachments directly from where they are categorized in your Messages app, making it easy to target and remove specific types of files. This way you can delete all large attachments on iPhone at once, and here’s how to do it:

1. Start by opening your Settings app.
2. Tap on ‘General’ to look into more specific device settings.
3. Scroll to and select ‘iPhone Storage’ to see how your storage is being used.
4. In the list of apps, tap on ‘Messages’. You’ll be presented with a detailed breakdown of the attachments stored within Messages, organized into five categories: Conversations, Photos, Videos, GIFs & Stickers, and Other.
5. Tap on any of these categories. You will see a list of attachments. Select the ones you want to remove.
6. After selecting, tap the trash icon to remove these files. Confirm the deletion to free up space.

Method 2: Delete Attachments From Mail App

Attachments in the Mail app can quickly consume storage. By following these steps, you’ll not only reclaim storage space but also improve the efficiency of your email application.

1. Open the Mail app on your iPhone.
2. Locate the email containing the large attachment.
3. To free up space, delete the entire email. (Note: The Mail app doesn’t allow for individual attachment deletion without removing the entire email.)
4. Confirm the deletion to remove the email and its attachment.

Method 3: Remove Large Attachments From Other Messengers

Messenger apps like Telegram, Signal, and others often store large files and media. This part outlines a general method to manage these attachments. While each app may have its unique interface, the basic principles of identifying and deleting large files remain similar, helping you to delete large attachments with ease.

1. Open the messenger app and go to its settings or storage management section.
2. Look for options like ‘Data Usage’, ‘Storage Usage’, or ‘Manage Storage’.
3. Review the list of conversations or media files, often sorted by size.
4. Select the files or messages you want to delete.
5. Confirm the deletion to remove these attachments from your device.

Alternative Way to Remove Large Attachments

For those seeking additional methods to manage large attachments, third-party apps can be a valuable resource. These apps are designed to help you easily identify and remove unnecessary files from your iPhone.

1. Gemini Photos: Gemini Photos stands out for its ability to intelligently sort through your photo library. It not only finds duplicate and similar photos but also suggests which ones to delete. The app categorizes photos for easy review, helping you make informed decisions about which images to keep. Its user interface is intuitive, simplifying the task of decluttering your photo collection and reclaiming valuable storage space.
2. Boost Cleaner: Boost Cleaner is designed to efficiently scan your iPhone for duplicate and unnecessary images. With its advanced sorting features, you can organize your photo albums by date and location, making it easier to find and delete unwanted images. The app also includes contact management features and quick storage boosting tools. It’s a versatile solution for those looking to streamline their iPhone’s photo library and overall storage.
3. Top Cleaner: Top Cleaner is an extensive tool for managing your device’s storage. It excels in identifying similar photos, merging duplicate contacts, and locating large video files for deletion. The app’s user-friendly interface facilitates fast and efficient cleanup, helping you maintain an organized and efficient iPhone library. Whether you’re dealing with redundant photos or oversized videos, Cleaner for iPhone provides a reliable solution.
4. Smart Cleaner: Smart Cleaner is an all-encompassing cleaning tool that goes beyond just photo and contact organization. It includes features for saving battery life and protecting your privacy. The app’s smart cleaning function simplifies the cleanup process, allowing you to manage your device’s storage with just a few taps. If you’re looking for a comprehensive tool that covers various aspects of iPhone maintenance, Smart Cleaner is a strong contender.
5. Cleanup: Phone Storage Cleaner: Cleanup focuses on simplifying the process of cleaning your iPhone’s internal storage. It efficiently detects and helps you remove duplicate images and sorts videos by size for easier management. The app also includes unique features such as charging animations and a secret photo vault, adding extra functionality to its primary cleaning capabilities. Cleanup is ideal for those who need a straightforward and effective tool to manage their iPhone’s storage.

As we conclude this section on apps for removing large attachments from your iPhone, consider the advantages third-party apps offer. These tools can enhance your storage management practices, providing user-friendly interfaces and additional functionalities not available in standard iPhone settings. Adopting such apps can be a practical addition to your digital toolkit for maintaining an organized iPhone storage.

How to Automatically Delete Message Attachments on iPhone

To avoid the need to deal with message attachments manually in future, set messages to auto-delete following these steps:

1. Go to Settings and select Messages.
2. In Message History, tap Keep Messages.
3. Choose 30 Days or 1 Year to auto-delete older messages and attachments.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively manage and remove large attachments from your iPhone. From the Messages app to WhatsApp, and through recommended third-party tools, these strategies help maintain control of your iPhone’s storage, allowing for better device performance and organization.