You may have noticed an option that says “Lock” whenever you tap and hold an individual text message from within some versions of the Android Messaging app. You might wonder what it does. You’re not the only one.
Locking a text message marks the message to prevent it from being deleted. There are still ways to delete locked text messages, the Lock feature just adds an extra layer of security to prevent accidental deletion.
So if you lock a text message, then later wish to delete the entire thread that message is included in, it will leave the locked messages and delete the rest. Some smartphones will prompt you to delete locked messages when deleting threads by providing an “Include protected message” or “Delete locked messages” check-box option.
FAQ
If I factory reset my Android, will it retain locked messages?
No, it will not.
Jeremy Weitzel says
Be careful! I had a bunch of locked messages that got deleted anyway, and I DID NOT check to include them them in the delete action.
Stephanie says
I have an Android, Motorola Moto G5 . On my old phone I was able to lock certain messages so that they wouldn’t get deleted when I deleted the thread. I used it to save special messages from friends and especially from my kids. . Is there an app to do that on this new phone? I appreciate any help you can give me, thanks.
Mickey Scholwinski says
Thanks for answering my question. Very helpful.
Mitch Bartlett says
A third-party texting app. I believe Chomp SMS and Handcent do it.
Amy Vegan says
i don’t have a press/hold message for “lock message” on 7.1 android zte blade. terrible. i need this feature. how can i get it?
Ms Barb Banen says
My ZTE MaxPro has recently been deleting locked text mssgs when deleting thread: & I am NOT checking the box inquiring if I want to delect licked messages? Very frustrating & losing some needed texts. Thank you.
Faye says
No.
My text disappeared and want to get it back, so, I need to undo the whole text
Jinky Panesa says
Yes it did. Thank you much!