Delete Handwritten Messages iOS 10 - Messages App
Managing Handwritten Messages in iOS Messages
When you utilize the handwritten message feature within the iPhone’s Messages application, these messages are automatically saved to a recent list. This allows for convenient reuse of frequently sent phrases or drawings.
However, users may desire to remove certain messages from this history for privacy or organizational reasons. This article details the process of deleting stored handwritten messages.
Accessing Stored Messages
To begin, launch the Messages app on your iPhone.
If you aren’t currently in a conversation, select any existing chat from the message list.
To view your previously sent handwritten messages, as well as pre-defined messages, tap the Apps icon located adjacent to the iMessage text input field.
Should the Apps icon not be immediately visible, tap the right arrow to reveal the available icons, including the one needed to proceed.
Deleting Messages: The Handwriting Screen
The stored handwritten messages are displayed for quick insertion into a new message. It’s important to note that deletion cannot be performed directly from this Apps tab.
Handwritten messages must be deleted through the dedicated handwriting input screen. Initiate this screen by rotating your iPhone into landscape orientation.
If the standard keyboard appears, tap the handwriting icon situated in the bottom-right corner of the screen to access the handwriting input.
The stored handwritten and canned messages will then be visible along the bottom of the handwriting screen.
Removing Unwanted Messages
Messages can be removed in a manner similar to deleting applications from your iPhone’s Home Screen. A long press on any message will activate “wiggle mode,” displaying an X icon on each message.
Tap the X icon on the message you wish to remove from the list.
NOTE: While it is possible to delete the pre-defined, canned messages, caution is advised. There is currently no known method to restore these default messages once deleted.
After deleting a message, the remaining messages will continue to display the wiggle effect. Press the Home button to exit deletion mode.
This action will stabilize the remaining messages. You can then tap “Done” to return to the standard Messages interface.
Final Result
Following these steps, the deleted handwritten messages will no longer appear in your recent history, either on the Apps tab or within the handwriting input mode.