How to delete a contact completely from WhatsApp on your smartphone?

How to delete a contact completely from WhatsApp on your smartphone - briefly?

To delete a contact completely from WhatsApp on your smartphone, follow these steps: First, open the WhatsApp app and go to the chat with the contact you want to remove. Then, tap on the contact's name at the top of the screen, select 'Delete contact', and confirm the action.

How to delete a contact completely from WhatsApp on your smartphone - in detail?

Deleting a contact completely from WhatsApp on your smartphone involves several steps. This process ensures that the contact is removed from both your device's contacts and WhatsApp, preventing any further communication or data retention associated with that contact. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

1. Backup Your Data: Before proceeding, it's crucial to backup your WhatsApp data. This step ensures that you don’t lose important conversations and media files during the deletion process. You can back up your data by going to WhatsApp settings > Chats > Chat Backup.

2. Delete the Contact from Your Phone:

   • Open your smartphone's contacts app.
   • Find the contact you wish to delete.
   • Tap on the contact to open their details.
   • Look for the "Edit" or "More" option, usually represented by three dots (⋮) or a pencil icon.
   • Select "Delete Contact" from the menu that appears.
   • Confirm the deletion when prompted.

3. Unblock the Contact (if necessary): If you previously blocked the contact, you will need to unblock them before deleting their messages.

   • Go to WhatsApp settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked Contacts.
   • Find and select the contact you wish to unblock.
   • Tap "Unblock" to remove the block.

4. Clear Chat History:

   • Open WhatsApp on your smartphone.
   • Go to the chat with the contact you want to delete.
   • Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the screen.
   • Select "More" > "Clear Chat".
   • Confirm by tapping "Yes" or "Delete". This action will remove all messages, photos, videos, and other data related to that contact from your device.

5. Delete Media Files Manually (if necessary): While clearing the chat history removes most of the data, some files might still be stored in your phone’s memory.

   • Open your file manager or gallery app.
   • Navigate to the WhatsApp folder and delete any remaining media files associated with the contact.

6. Revoke Access (if necessary): If you have shared your location, live location, or other sensitive data with the contact, make sure to revoke access:

   • Go to WhatsApp settings > Account > Privacy.
   • Select "Live Location" or any other relevant option.
   • Find and select the contact.
   • Tap on "Stop Sharing" or "Revoke Access".

7. Check for Remaining Data: Sometimes, residual data might still be present in your device’s cache or temporary files.

   • Clear WhatsApp cache: Go to your phone's settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage & Cache > Clear Cache.
   • Restart your smartphone to ensure all changes take effect.

By following these steps, you can effectively delete a contact completely from WhatsApp on your smartphone. This process ensures that not only are the messages and media files removed but also any associated data or permissions are revoked, providing a clean and thorough deletion.