Can I delete a message in WhatsApp for the recipient if it has been deleted for me - briefly?
No, you cannot delete a message for the recipient if it has already been deleted for you in WhatsApp. Once a message is deleted from your side, it remains visible to the recipient.
Can I delete a message in WhatsApp for the recipient if it has been deleted for me - in detail?
When you delete a message in WhatsApp, the action affects both your device and the recipient's device. However, there are nuances to understand regarding the visibility of the deleted message on the recipient's end.
Firstly, it is crucial to differentiate between two types of deletion: "Delete for Me" and "Delete for Everyone." The "Delete for Me" option only removes the message from your device; the recipient still sees the message in their chat history. On the other hand, the "Delete for Everyone" feature allows you to delete a message from both your device and the recipient's device within a specific time frame.
If you have selected "Delete for Me," the message will remain visible on the recipient's device. There is no way to retroactively delete a message from the recipient's chat history once it has been sent and viewed by them. The "Delete for Everyone" option must be used within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending the message. After this window closes, you lose the ability to delete the message from the recipient's device.
It is also important to note that even if a message is successfully deleted using "Delete for Everyone," there are scenarios where the content might still be seen by the recipient. For instance, if the recipient has notifications enabled, they may see a preview of the message in their notification center before you have the chance to delete it. Additionally, if the message is quoted or forwarded, deleting it from your chat will not remove it from these contexts.
In summary, once a message has been deleted for you using "Delete for Me," it cannot be deleted from the recipient's device retroactively. To ensure that a message is removed from both devices, use the "Delete for Everyone" option within the specified time frame.