How to delete a message completely in WhatsApp - briefly?
To delete a message completely in WhatsApp, you can use the "Delete for everyone" feature within seven minutes of sending it. This will remove the message from both your and the recipient's chat history.
How to delete a message completely in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleting a message completely in WhatsApp can be crucial for maintaining privacy and ensuring that sensitive information is not seen by others. Here's a detailed guide on how to achieve this:
For the Sender (Deleting for Everyone)
- Open WhatsApp: Start by launching the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where you sent the message you want to delete.
- Select the Message: Long-press on the message until it is highlighted. You can also select multiple messages if needed.
- Delete Option: Tap on the trash can icon that appears at the top of the screen.
- Confirm Deletion: A pop-up will ask you to confirm whether you want to delete for everyone or just for yourself. Select 'Delete for Everyone'.
- Success Message: Once the message is deleted, a notification saying "You deleted this message" will appear in place of the original message.
For the Recipient (Deleting for Self)
- Open WhatsApp: Start by opening the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where you received the message you want to delete.
- Select the Message: Long-press on the message until it is highlighted. You can also select multiple messages if needed.
- Delete Option: Tap on the trash can icon that appears at the top of the screen.
- Confirm Deletion: A pop-up will ask you to confirm whether you want to delete for everyone or just for yourself. Select 'Delete for Me'.
- Success Message: Once the message is deleted, a notification saying "This message was deleted for you" will appear in place of the original message.
Important Notes:
- Time Limit: The 'Delete for Everyone' feature works only within seven minutes after sending the message. After this period, you can only delete messages for yourself.
- Group Chats: In group chats, all participants will see a notification indicating that a message was deleted by someone in the chat.
- Backup: Deleted messages are not removed from backups, so if anyone has backed up their WhatsApp data before the deletion, they might still see the message in their backup.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and delete unwanted or sensitive messages in WhatsApp, ensuring your conversations remain private and secure.