How to clear messages in WhatsApp forever - briefly?
To permanently delete messages in WhatsApp, use the "Delete for Me" option. This action removes the message from your device but keeps it visible to the recipient. For a complete removal, select "Delete for Everyone," which erases the message from both devices within seven minutes of sending.
How to clear messages in WhatsApp forever - in detail?
Clearing messages in WhatsApp permanently can be a crucial task for maintaining privacy and freeing up space on your device. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve this:
Deleting Messages from Your Device
To delete messages from your device, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Navigate to Chats: Go to the 'Chats' tab, where you can see all your conversations.
- Select a Chat: Tap on the chat or conversation from which you want to delete messages.
- Long Press on Messages: To select multiple messages, long press on the first message until it is highlighted. You can then tap on other messages to include them in the selection.
- Delete Selected Messages: Once all desired messages are selected, tap on the 'Delete' icon (usually a trash can or bin icon) at the top of the screen. Confirm the deletion if prompted.
Deleting Messages for Everyone
WhatsApp offers an option to delete messages not just from your device but also from the recipient's device, known as 'Delete for Everyone'. This feature is available only within a limited time frame after sending the message:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Navigate to Chats: Go to the 'Chats' tab, where you can see all your conversations.
- Select a Chat: Tap on the chat or conversation from which you want to delete messages.
- Long Press on Messages: To select multiple messages, long press on the first message until it is highlighted. You can then tap on other messages to include them in the selection.
- Delete for Everyone: After selecting the messages, tap on the 'Delete' icon (usually a trash can or bin icon) at the top of the screen. A prompt will appear with options: 'Delete for Me' and 'Delete for Everyone'. Choose 'Delete for Everyone'.
- Confirmation: You will see a message indicating that the deletion is in progress. Once completed, both you and the recipient(s) will no longer see the deleted messages.
Additional Tips
- Backup: Before performing any major deletions, consider backing up your WhatsApp data to avoid accidental loss of important information.
- Storage Management: Regularly review and delete unnecessary files such as images, videos, and documents shared via WhatsApp to optimize your device's storage.
- Privacy Settings: Adjust your WhatsApp privacy settings to control who can see your profile picture, status, and other personal information.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and clear messages in WhatsApp, ensuring both your privacy and the efficient use of your device's storage space.