Removing Messages from iCloud (but not locally)

Question

How do I remove my Messages from iCloud only?

I want to keep them on my local devices (where I have plenty of space), but remove them from iCloud (where I'm low on space).

Answer 1

First I would turn off Messages in iCloud.

You can turn off Messages in iCloud just for this Mac or for all devices where you use it.

Choose Messages > Preferences, click Accounts, then select iMessage in the Accounts list.

Deselect “Enable Messages in iCloud.”

Choose one of the following:

Disable All: Turns off Messages in iCloud for all your devices. Messages will no longer be stored in iCloud and will instead be stored on each device.

Disable This Device: Turns off Messages in iCloud for your Mac only.

Once that is done you can delete the messages in iCloud.