How to clear old messages in WhatsApp - briefly?
To clear old messages in WhatsApp, open the chat where you want to delete the messages and tap on the three dots (⋮) at the top right corner. Select "More" and then choose "Clear Chat". Confirm your action by selecting "Delete".
How to clear old messages in WhatsApp - in detail?
Clearing old messages in WhatsApp can help free up storage space on your device and make it easier to manage conversations. Here are the detailed steps you can follow to delete old messages:
Manually Deleting Messages
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Select a Chat: Tap on the chat or group conversation from which you want to delete old messages.
- Delete Specific Messages: Long-press on the message(s) you wish to delete until a checkbox appears next to them. Tap on the trash can icon at the top of the screen to remove the selected messages.
- Delete Entire Chat History: If you want to clear all old messages from a chat, tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner of the chat window. Select "More" and then choose "Clear Chat." Confirm your action by tapping "Clear" again.
Using the Delete Older Messages Feature
WhatsApp provides an automated way to delete older messages, which is particularly useful for group chats:
- Open Group Info: Tap on the name of the group at the top of the chat screen to open the group info page.
- Enable Disappearing Messages: Select "Disappearing Messages" and choose the time frame for message deletion (e.g., 24 hours, 7 days). Once enabled, messages will automatically disappear after the specified period.
Clearing Media from Storage
If you want to clear old media files (like photos and videos) sent through WhatsApp:
- Open File Manager: Use your device's file manager or a third-party app like ES File Explorer.
- Navigate to WhatsApp Folders: Go to the "WhatsApp" folder, which is usually located in the "Internal Storage" or "SD Card" directory.
- Delete Media Files: Manually delete any unwanted media files from folders like "Media," "WhatsApp Images," and "WhatsApp Video."
Backup Before Deleting
Before you start deleting old messages, it's a good idea to create a backup of your WhatsApp data:
- Open Settings: In the WhatsApp app, tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Settings."
- Go to Chats: Tap on "Chats" to access chat-related settings.
- Create Backup: Select "Chat Backup" and tap on "BACK UP" to create a backup of your messages, photos, and videos before deleting any data.
By following these steps, you can effectively clear old messages in WhatsApp and manage your storage space more efficiently.