How can I delete all messages in WhatsApp for the recipient - briefly?
To delete all messages in WhatsApp for the recipient, you can use the "Delete for Everyone" feature. This option allows you to remove sent messages from both your device and the recipient's device within seven minutes of sending.
How can I delete all messages in WhatsApp for the recipient - in detail?
To delete all messages in WhatsApp for the recipient, you will need to follow a series of steps that ensure both your and the recipient's message history are effectively cleared. It is important to note that while WhatsApp does not provide a direct "Delete for Everyone" option for entire chat histories, there are workarounds that can achieve this goal.
Firstly, you should back up your chats if you wish to retain any of the conversations. This can be done by going to Settings
> Chats
> Chat Backup
. Follow the prompts to save your chat history on your device or cloud storage.
Next, you will need to delete the conversation from your device:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the specific chat you want to delete.
- Tap on the three dots (
⋮
) in the top-right corner of the screen to access the chat options. - Select
Delete Chat
. You will be given two options:Delete for Me
orDelete for Everyone
. ChooseDelete for Me
. This action removes the conversation from your device but does not affect the recipient's chat history.
To ensure that the messages are also deleted on the recipient’s end, you can follow these additional steps:
- Ask the recipient to delete the chat from their device as well. They should go to the specific chat and select
Delete Chat
, choosingDelete for Me
. - Alternatively, if both parties agree, you could delete the chat entirely from your device (
Delete for Everyone
), which will notify the recipient that you have deleted the messages and give them the option to also delete their copy of the conversation.
It is crucial to understand that once a message has been read or delivered, it cannot be recalled using the standard "Delete for Everyone" feature provided by WhatsApp. This feature only works if the message has not yet been seen by the recipient. Therefore, the most reliable method to delete all messages for both parties involves manual deletion on each device.
Lastly, ensure that you communicate clearly with the recipient about your intention to delete the messages to avoid any misunderstandings or confusion.