Messages Bug Deletes Saved Photos From Threads In iOS 15

iOS 15 brings a lot of new features but an equal amount of bugs, especially in its initial release version. However, an issue covered by MacRumors takes it to a whole new level. Apparently, there is a bug in Messages that removes any saved Photos, when a thread is deleted!

Don’t Delete Messages In iOS 15.0!

If you’ve saved photos from Messages, don’t delete the conversation thread or you risk to have those images removed the next time an iCloud backup is performed!

This is a serious bug, that has been first reported on Twitter. Apple is either not aware of it or hasn’t found a working fix yet, because the issue can still be replicated in iOS 15.1 Beta 2, the latest test version for the upcoming iOS 15.1 update.

Ezekiel notes on Twitter:

“15.1 beta 2 is still deleting photos from my library when I delete the iMessage thread I saved them from.”

How To Replicate Messages Photo Removal Bug

To better understand how this issue manifests itself, here are the steps that you need to perform to replicate this glitch:

• Open Messages, browse an existing thread and save a photo that was shared by your discussion partner.
• Open Photos and confirm that the image has been saved in Recents.
• In Messages, delete the thread that included the photo. The image should still be in the iCloud Photo Library.
• However, if you perform an ‌iCloud‌ Backup, the picture is removed without notice!

How To Avoid Messages Photo Removal Issue

Apple will have to fix this issue in an upcoming software update. To stay away from it until is patched proceed as follows:

1. Keep Messages Threads

Avoid deleting any conversations that contain images, which you saved on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Backup Photos manually

Download images grabbed from Messages to a SSD drive or any other USB stick that you use for storing important data.

3. Disable iCloud Backups

This, isn’t ideal, but you can disable iCloud backups until the issue is patched.

How to: Browse for Settings -> Apple ID -> iCloud and disable iCloud Backup.

In iOS 15 the Messages app has also been plagued by the notifications not working bug. Users complain the new text notifications only get triggered when the actual app is opened. They’re missing from Lock Screen and Home Screen.

Are you encountering any other problems with Messages in iOS 15? Use the comments section and share your feedback!

Related: Check more fixes for other common iOS 15 bugs:
– Safari video playback not working, black screen bug.
– Visual Look Up not showing up in Photos.
– Facebook Messenger videos flicker.
– Widgets turning white or black on iPhone Home Screen!