How to completely delete WhatsApp from a Samsung Android phone?

How to completely delete WhatsApp from a Samsung Android phone - briefly?

To completely delete WhatsApp from a Samsung Android phone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to "Applications," select "WhatsApp," and choose "Uninstall." This will remove the app and its data from your device.

How to completely delete WhatsApp from a Samsung Android phone - in detail?

To completely delete WhatsApp from a Samsung Android phone, you need to follow a detailed process that ensures all data associated with the application is removed. This involves several steps, including uninstalling the app and deleting backup files stored on your device or cloud services. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

1. Backup Your Data: Before proceeding with the deletion, it is crucial to back up any important conversations, media, or documents from WhatsApp that you may want to keep. You can do this by exporting chats or using Google Drive for cloud backup.

2. Uninstall WhatsApp:

   • Open the App Drawer on your Samsung Android phone.
   • Locate the WhatsApp icon and press and hold it until options appear at the top of the screen.
   • Drag the icon to the ‘Uninstall’ option and release it. Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.

3. Delete Local Backup Files: WhatsApp creates local backup files on your device. To delete these:

   • Open the File Manager app on your Samsung phone.
   • Navigate to the ‘Internal Storage’ or ‘SD Card’ folder, depending on where your backups are stored.
   • Go to ‘WhatsApp’ > ‘Databases’.
   • Delete all files with names like ‘msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12’ and any other backup files associated with WhatsApp.

4. Clear App Data: After uninstalling, you should clear any remaining data associated with the app:

   • Open the ‘Settings’ app on your Samsung phone.
   • Scroll down to ‘Apps’ and tap on it.
   • Find and tap on ‘WhatsApp’. If it's not listed, go to ‘Show system apps’ or search for it.
   • Tap on ‘Storage & cache’.
   • Clear ‘Cache’ and then tap on ‘Clear storage’. Confirm the action if prompted.

5. Delete Cloud Backup: If you have enabled Google Drive backup for WhatsApp, you need to delete these backups as well:

   • Open the Google Drive app on your phone.
   • Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the menu.
   • Select ‘Backup by Google One’.
   • Find and select WhatsApp from the list of backed-up apps.
   • Tap on the trash can icon at the bottom to delete the backup. Confirm your decision.

6. Remove WhatsApp Account: To ensure that all data linked to your WhatsApp account is removed, you should also delete your account:

   • Open a web browser on your Samsung phone and go to the WhatsApp website (whatsapp.com).
   • Navigate to ‘Account’ > ‘Delete my account’.
   • Follow the instructions to permanently delete your WhatsApp account. This action is irreversible, so make sure you really want to proceed.

By following these steps, you can completely delete WhatsApp and all associated data from your Samsung Android phone, ensuring that no residual files or backups remain on your device or cloud storage.