mass deleting text messages

SharpTJ · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 06:26 AM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)

so i have a HUGE backlog of texts..around 20,000 or so...how can i delete these relatively quick? i tried "select all" then "delete" but it will take 3 days to delete texts that way as it only deletes 1 text every 2 seconds or so. then i have to delete them again from the deleted items folder...there must be an easier way.

Also, anyway to limit how many days a message is stored before it is auto-deleted?

impulse · #2 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 08:33 AM

with 20,000 texts i recommend you just do a hard reset. just back up all your important info first.

Talon Pro · #3 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 11:16 AM

Yea cause ive heard some where that the limit is 50 at a time.

**JAVIERBOND007** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 11:30 AM

Backup all your important data, go to settings--system"clean storage";after is all clean restore your info. Make sure when you do your backup you are not backing up your text messeges as well.

Good luck.

Talon Pro · #5 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 11:50 AM

Way to go with posting the solution TWICE... Does anyone actually READ the replies...?

DMWagner · #6 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talon Pro

Yea cause ive heard some where that the limit is 50 at a time.

You can select as many as you want, but based on your settings, the last 50 will end up in the deleted items folder, as new ones are added, the oldest one is perm deleted.

OP, I would select them all, hit delete, put your phone on the charger and call it a night. Should be done by morning.

k_semler · #7 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 09:29 PM

Even if you have 256MB of installed files, and need to re-configure everything, a hard reset would be faster then that. The most txt msgs I had stored on my phone at one time was 9. I see no point in keeping months, (or even weeks), old messages. It just wastes storage space, and nothing more. SMS are not usually used for critical businuss requirements, therefore, they do not need to be archived for so long. I archive emails for years depending on the nature of the communication, but I consider txt to be a 168hr max life. Beyond that, why bother even saving them? Just regularly purge your acct, and you'll have minimal issues.

coolwhip1220 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 11:27 PM

What about installing the inbox extender cab and using "delete all"? Anyone think that would work?

fenixjn · #9 (**permalink**) 11-21-2009, 01:17 AM

I use My Phone to manage my SMS. Just sync, then delete them on your account (its a lot easier because you can filter which messages to delete). Next time you sync the SMS you deleted on the account will be gone from the phone as well.