How to copy, forward, and delete iMessages

Replying to an iMessage (or SMS or MMS) is only one of several things you can do with the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and Mac Messages app. You can also copy it, forward it, or delete it altogether. Copying an iMessage is a great way to move important information to other apps, like Mail or Notes or for searching in Safari. Forwarding is a super fast way to share one person's iMessage with another. And deleting, if you've received something personal in a text -- or sext, we don't judge! -- is the perfect way to maintain your privacy.

How to copy an iMessage (or SMS) on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

Copying is handy for a time when you only need to copy the text from an individual message to the clip board and paste it somewhere else. That can be in a new or existing message or into a completely different app. This is the option you want to use if you need to use the content in a way other than forwarding it in another iMessage or SMS.

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
2. Select the message thread containing the message you'd like to copy.





3. Tap and hold on the specific, individual message you want to copy.





4. Tap on the Copy option in the popup menu.

The text of the iMessage (SMS) is copied to the clipboard and you are now free to paste it wherever you'd like.

How to forward iMessages (or SMS) on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
2. Tap on the thread (the contact's name containing the message(s) you'd like to forward.





3. Tap the Edit button in the upper right hand corner.





4. Select the message(s) you'd like to forward by tapping on them.
5. A red checkmark appears next to the selected messages. If you accidentally select one, just tap it again to deselect it.





6. Tap the Forward button to forward the message(s).
7. The message(s) will automatically create and populate a new message.
8. Start typing the name of the contact you'd like to send them to and select them or tap the blue "+" sign to add the contact from your contacts.





9. Tap send and the messages you selected will automatically be forwarded to the contact you selected.

How to delete iMessages (or SMS) on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
2. Tap on the thread containing the message(s) you'd like to delete.





3. Tap the Edit button in the upper right hand corner.





4. Select the message(s) you'd like to delete by tapping on them.





5. A red checkmark appears next to the selected messages. If you accidentally select one, just tap it again to deselect it.

The messages will now disappear from the messages thread and you're done.

How to delete iMessage (or SMS) threads on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Deleting individual messages can be time consuming. If you're just trying to clear out your messages, you can mass delete threads in order to expedite the process.

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
2. Tap the Edit button in the upper left hand corner.





3. Tap on the red circle icon to the left of the thread you want to delete.





4. Tap on the red Delete button to confirm.

The thread will now be erased from your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Alternately, if you just want to quickly erase a single thread, you can:

1. Swipe across the thread with your finger (as if you're crossing it out).





2. Tap on the red Delete button to confirm.

How to copy iMessages in OS X Mountain Lion

1. Launch the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Click on the thread you'd like to copy a message from.
3. Highlight the iMessage you'd like to copy, just like you would text anywhere else on your Mac.
4. control + click (if you've got a gesture action for right-click, you can do that instead) and select Copy from the context menu. (Or you can just type command + c on your keyboard.)

How to delete iMessages in Mac OS X Mountain Lion

Unfortunately, OS X Mountain Lion does not currently allow you to delete individual iMessages. You'll have to delete the entire thread.

1. Launch the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Find the thread in the left hand navigation pane that you'd like to delete.
3. When you hover your cursor over the text thread in the left hand pane you'll see a grey x button appear to the right of the iMessage thread.
4. Click on it.





5. click Delete to confirm.
if you are sure you want to delete the entire thread,