How much storage can iMessage attachments take up on an iPhone?

On an iPhone used actively for 2–3 years with group threads, iMessage attachments commonly reach 5–10 GB. Videos and GIFs from group chats are the biggest contributors — every file sent to you gets stored on your device automatically, with no opt-in required.

Where do I find iMessage attachment storage on my iPhone?

Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage, scroll down, and tap Messages. You'll see a breakdown by category: Photos, Videos, GIFs & Stickers, and Others. Tap Review Large Attachments to see everything sorted by file size.

Does deleting an iMessage conversation delete its attachments too?

Yes. When you swipe left and delete a conversation in the Messages app, every photo, video, audio message, and other file from that thread is removed from your device at the same time. It's usually faster than cleaning attachments category by category.

Will the other person know if I delete their iMessages or attachments?

No. Deleting messages or attachments is a local action on your device only. The sender's copy of the conversation is completely unaffected, and nothing is sent to notify them.

How do I stop iMessage from filling up my storage again?

Go to Settings → Messages → Keep Messages and change it from Forever to 1 Year or 30 Days. Also enable Low Quality Image Mode in the same menu. These two settings together prevent the gradual accumulation that causes most iMessage storage problems over time.

Why hasn't my storage changed after deleting iMessage attachments?

iOS storage numbers can take a few minutes to update after bulk deletions. If nothing changes after several minutes, restart your iPhone — it forces the storage calculation to refresh.

How to Delete iMessage Attachments on iPhone and Free Up Storage (2026)

How to Delete iMessage Attachments on iPhone and Free Up Storage (2026)iMessage photos, videos, and GIFs pile up silently for years. Here's exactly how to find, clear, and prevent iMessage attachments from eating your storage in 2026.