How do I delete sent SMS messages in WhatsApp - briefly?
To delete a sent SMS message in WhatsApp, open the chat where you sent the message and long press on the message until it is highlighted. Then tap the "Delete" icon at the top of the screen to remove the message from both your device and the recipient's device.
How do I delete sent SMS messages in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleting sent SMS messages in WhatsApp can be a crucial task for users seeking to maintain privacy or correct mistakes. Unfortunately, the ability to delete sent messages is not directly available on WhatsApp, unlike other messaging platforms that offer this feature natively. However, there are workarounds and considerations to keep in mind.
Firstly, it's important to understand that once an SMS message is sent through WhatsApp, it cannot be recalled or deleted from the recipient’s device. This limitation is due to the nature of SMS messages, which are delivered directly by the carrier network and not stored on WhatsApp servers.
However, you can delete the sent SMS message from your own device within the WhatsApp app. Here's how:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your mobile device.
- Navigate to Chats: Tap on the "Chats" tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Conversation: Find and tap on the chat or conversation from which you want to delete the sent SMS message.
- Locate Message: Scroll through the chat to locate the specific SMS message you wish to delete.
- Delete Message: Long press on the message until a menu appears at the top of the screen with various options such as "Reply", "Forward", "Star", and "Delete". Tap on the "Delete" option.
- Confirm Deletion: A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you want to delete the message for everyone or just for yourself. Since SMS messages cannot be deleted for others, only the "Delete for me" option will be available. Tap on it to confirm.
It's essential to note that while this action removes the message from your device, the recipient will still have the message on their device. If you need to correct or retract information sent via SMS through WhatsApp, consider sending a follow-up message clarifying the situation.
For those who frequently need to delete messages for all participants, it might be worth considering other messaging platforms that offer this feature natively, such as Telegram or Signal. These platforms provide more control over message deletion and recall options.
In summary, while WhatsApp does not support the deletion of sent SMS messages from recipients' devices, you can delete these messages from your own device following a straightforward process. This ensures that your chat history remains clean and up-to-date on your end.