Deleting individual pictures or videos from the iOS Messages app

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Short version:

  • Open Messages on your iPhone or iPad, scroll to a picture/video you want to delete.
  • Touch the picture/video (don’t press, just lightly touch) until a menu appears.
  • Select More… from the menu
  • Be sure your image has a check box to the left of it.
  • Tap the trash can icon in the lower left to delete the image.

If you have some videos in your Messages timeline, this is a nice way to free up space. Remember, these deletes are permanent, so back up your phone before you go on a deleting rampage.

UPDATE: Even better way (H/T Mike Goril), open Messages, tap Details button in upper right corner, scroll down to ATTACHMENTS area, touch and hold individual images, tap Delete from the menu that appears.