Introduction
Over time, the number of unread text messages can pile up, giving you anxiety and making it difficult to find the messages you really need to pay attention to. While Apple doesn’t make it possible to mark all messages within a specific conversation as read, you can mark all of the messages in all of your conversations as read.
Some of the images associated with the steps are included inline below. All images associated with these steps can be seen in the embedded YouTube video. Also, please note that you’re not able to leave a comment directly on this article. If you have a question or feedback, please leave it on the YouTube video.
Steps to Mark All Text Messages As Read On iPhone or iPad
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad. You’ll land on your Messages home screen. To be clear I’ll be walking through this on an iPad. If you’re using an iPhone the steps will be the same, but some of the buttons may be in slightly different places.
- Tap “Edit” at the top of the screen. A menu opens.
- Tap “Select Messages” in this menu.
You’ll see small, empty circles show up to the left of all of your conversations.
- Tap “Read All” at the bottom of the screen. All of the unread messages in all of your conversations will now be marked as read.
Reasons to Mark All Text Messages as Read on iPhone or iPad
1. Clear Out the Unread Message Count
Marking all text messages as read on your iPhone or iPad provides an easy way to clear out the unread message count on the home screen. This will declutter your device, making it look neat and organized. By marking all messages as read, you can get rid of the constant reminder of unread messages and start fresh.
2. Indicate Messages Have Been Viewed
When you mark all text messages as read, you’re indicating to yourself and others that you have viewed and addressed all of the messages. This is a convenient way to show that you have taken care of all your messages and are ready for the next batch.
3. Reduce Visual Distractions
Finally, marking all text messages as read can help reduce visual distractions and manage notification overload. With a constantly updating unread message count, it’s easy to become distracted and lose focus on what’s important. By marking all messages as read, you can regain control of your notifications and get back to being productive.
