Question Deleting all SMS conversation threads on Android 10

[2024301]

I'm giving a phone to a family member and I want to delete all my texts and import theirs. I've got about 1000 conversation threads to delete but for the life of me, can't seem to remove the existing messages. Google Messages is the stock messaging app, wasn't up to selecting everything one by one. I've tried deleting app data of Messages and installed three different aftermarket SMS apps, set as default and deleted in batch - initially it seems like the deletion was successful, I reboot, but whenever I come back to Messages the texts always return, I can't erase them! I guess might have to factory reset the phone, but just wondered if anyone had any ideas?

 

[Madd62]

Ate you leaving your Google account on the phone, or removing it and then fully factory resetting it.!

 

[2024301]

Ate you leaving your Google account on the phone, or removing it and then fully factory resetting it.!

I've removed it and signed out of messages too.

I might just have to factory reset it, just trying to save reinstalling everything.

 

[B. Diddy]

When giving a phone to another person, you should always do a factory reset (which will also remove your account and any associated data). Any person using a phone should use their own Google account to set up the phone, and therefore install their own apps using their own Play Store account. The only way you'd be able to keep the apps you installed on the phone you give them would be to keep your account on the phone, and that would also mean allowing that person to install whatever they wanted using your Play Store account (including paid apps, meaning that you'd be the one paying for them).

 

[methodman89]

Are you giving them your phone number? The messages are stored with the carrier, iirc. They will repopulate.

 

[B. Diddy]

If you really insist on handing the phone to someone else without doing a factory reset, then you should be able to delete all of the messages by going to Settings>Apps, then select Show System, then look for an app called Phone and Messaging Storage (or something similar). Clear the app cache and data for that app.