Deleting a message on Apple Watch is now deleting messages on iPhone

Question

Created Sep ’24

Replies 4

Boosts 0

Participants 4

Can someone confirm this is supposed to be happening after all these years. I have noticed that now when I delete the messages from my Apple Watch (IOS11) they are now deleting from my phone (IOS18). I was glad I noticed and was able to recover them but I almost lost some impoRyan messages. I did do a test and confirm this is true. But the question is, is this supposed to be happening and if so is there a way to disable only this sync? I like to try and keep the messages icon on the watch clean since when I read the messag on my phone it does sync read on the watch and leaves the unread number on the icon.

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Answer 1

Engineer OP

Apple

Sep ’24

This is the expected behavior. The database of Messages on your paired Apple Watch has always been meant to be a mirror of what is present/read/deleted on your iPhone. Both ways.

There is not a way to disable this but you're welcome to file a Bug Report (https://developer.apple.com/bug-reporting/) to share that you would desire that.

0

Answer 2

Mtjtc4 OP

Oct ’24

That is simply not true. I have had an Apple Watch since series 1 and have always deleted my messages on my watch and have never once lost a message on my phone. That is not until iOS 11 (watch) and iOS 18 (phone). There are also plenty of forms and articles to support this. or Are you saying in the latest updates that Apple has finally figured out how to close this issue that has been present for 9 years.

either way, I will do as you suggested and put in a bug report as an enhancement request.

2

Answer 3

SylwiaKP OP

2w

Bug report for the above - until recent update I was able to keep my important iMsgs on my phone but deleting them from iphone please bring back the option of deleting Apple messages without deleting them on the phone thanks

1

Answer 4

Joecool23 OP

1w

Agree. This just started with iOS 11 (watch) and iOS 18 (phone). I lost some VIP messages due to some unfortunate backup settings (or lack thereof)!

0