How do I delete messages in WhatsApp on Android permanently - briefly?
To permanently delete messages in WhatsApp on Android, you can use the "Delete for me" option. However, this only removes the message from your device; the recipient will still see it. For a complete removal, you'll need to use the "Delete for everyone" feature within the first hour of sending the message.
How do I delete messages in WhatsApp on Android permanently - in detail?
To permanently delete messages in WhatsApp on an Android device, you can follow these detailed steps:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android smartphone.
- Navigate to Chats: Once inside WhatsApp, go to the "Chats" tab located at the bottom of the screen. Here you will see a list of all your conversations.
- Select the Chat: Tap on the chat from which you want to delete messages permanently. This could be an individual or group chat.
- Long Press on Messages: To select messages, long press on the message or messages you wish to delete. You will see a checkmark appear next to each selected message.
- Use the Trash Can Icon: After selecting the messages, tap on the trash can icon located at the top right corner of the screen. This icon is typically represented by a crossed-out paper clip or a simple trash can symbol.
- Confirm Deletion: A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you want to delete the selected messages. Tap "Delete" to proceed with the deletion.
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Clear Chats: Note that this step only removes the messages from your device. To ensure they are deleted permanently, including from WhatsApp's servers and backups:
- Disable Backup: Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and disable automatic backup. This ensures that deleted messages won’t be saved in future backups.
- Delete from Backup: To remove messages from existing backups, you need to delete the entire WhatsApp backup. Go to your phone's Settings > Apps & notifications > WhatsApp > Storage & cache and clear the data. This action will erase all local data including message history.
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Delete Media Files: If the messages contained media files (images, videos, etc.), you might also want to delete them from your device's storage:
By following these steps, you can permanently delete messages in WhatsApp on an Android device, ensuring that they are removed from both your local storage and any potential backups.