How are messages deleted in WhatsApp for the other person - briefly?
Messages in WhatsApp can be deleted for both the sender and the recipient if they haven't been read yet or if the message is still unread. To delete a message for another person, use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending the message.
How are messages deleted in WhatsApp for the other person - in detail?
When a message is deleted on WhatsApp, it does not disappear entirely from the recipient's device. Instead, WhatsApp provides users with the ability to "unsend" messages within a specific time frame. This feature allows users to delete messages for everyone in a chat, ensuring that the message is removed from both the sender's and the recipient's devices.
The process of deleting a message works as follows:
- Deletion Initiation: The sender opens the WhatsApp chat where the message was sent and selects the message they wish to delete. They then tap on the "Delete" option, which provides two choices: "Delete for Me" and "Delete for Everyone."
- Time Frame: To use the "Delete for Everyone" feature, the message must be deleted within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of being sent. If this time frame is exceeded, only the "Delete for Me" option will be available, which removes the message from the sender's device but leaves it intact on the recipient's device.
- Notification: When a message is deleted using the "Delete for Everyone" feature, both the sender and the recipient(s) receive a notification indicating that a message has been deleted. This ensures transparency and informs all parties involved about the action taken.
- Effect on Recipient's Device: Once the message is successfully deleted for everyone, it disappears from the chat history on both the sender's and recipient's devices. However, it is important to note that even though the message content is removed, WhatsApp does not delete any records of the deletion itself. This means that recipients may still see a placeholder indicating that a message was deleted but will not be able to view its contents.
- Backup Considerations: Deleted messages are also removed from backups. However, if a recipient has created a backup before the message was deleted, they may still have access to the deleted message through their backup. This underscores the importance of understanding that complete removal of all traces of a message is not guaranteed.
In conclusion, WhatsApp's delete feature for messages provides users with a way to retract sent messages within a limited time frame. While this feature does not ensure the total erasure of the message from all devices and backups, it offers a level of control over the communication by allowing senders to correct mistakes or remove inappropriate content promptly.