How to clear messages in WhatsApp from a chat partner - briefly?
To clear messages in WhatsApp from a chat partner, you have two main options: either delete the conversation for both parties or use the "Delete for me" feature to remove the messages only from your device.
How to clear messages in WhatsApp from a chat partner - in detail?
Clearing messages in WhatsApp from a chat partner can be essential for maintaining privacy and freeing up space on your device. While WhatsApp does not offer a direct feature to delete messages from another person's phone, there are several methods you can use to ensure that sensitive information is removed or hidden effectively.
Deleting Messages from Your Own Device:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on your smartphone.
- Select the Chat: Tap on the conversation with the chat partner from whom you want to clear messages.
- Delete Individual or Multiple Messages:
- To delete a single message, long-press on it until a menu appears at the top of the screen. Select "Delete" from the options.
- To delete multiple messages, tap and hold on one message, then select additional messages by tapping on them while still holding the first one. Once you've selected all the messages you want to delete, tap the trash can icon that appears at the top of the screen.
- Confirm Deletion: You will be prompted to confirm whether you want to delete the message(s) for yourself or for everyone in the chat. Selecting "Delete for me" will remove the messages only from your device, while selecting "Delete for everyone" will remove them from both your and the recipient's devices, provided that the message was sent less than 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 30 seconds ago.
Deleting Messages for Everyone:
The "Delete for everyone" feature allows you to remove messages from both your device and the recipient's device within a specific time frame. Here’s how it works:
- Time Limit: The option is available only if the message was sent less than 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 30 seconds ago. After this period, you can only delete messages from your own device.
- Steps to Delete for Everyone: Follow the same steps as mentioned above to select and delete the message(s). When prompted, choose "Delete for everyone." This will ensure that the selected messages are removed from both your and the recipient's devices.
Using the Disappearing Messages Feature:
WhatsApp has introduced a feature called "Disappearing Messages," which automatically deletes messages after a set period of time. Here’s how to enable it:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on your smartphone.
- Select the Chat: Tap on the conversation with the chat partner.
- Enable Disappearing Messages:
- For individual chats, tap on the contact's name at the top of the screen to open the chat settings.
- Look for the "Disappearing messages" option and toggle it on.
- Choose a time interval (24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days) after which messages will automatically disappear from both your and the recipient's devices.
Backing Up Your Chats:
Before deleting any messages, it’s a good idea to back up your chats to avoid losing important information. WhatsApp provides an option to create backups that can be stored on Google Drive or iCloud, depending on your device. To back up your chats:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on your smartphone.
- Go to Settings: On Android, tap the three dots in the top right corner and select "Settings." On iPhone, tap "Settings" at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Chats: Tap on "Chats."
- Back Up Your Chats: Follow the prompts to back up your chats to Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iPhone).
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and clear messages in WhatsApp from a chat partner while maintaining control over your privacy and data.