How to delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp after already deleting it for yourself?

How to delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp after already deleting it for yourself - briefly?

Unfortunately, once you've deleted a message for yourself on WhatsApp, you cannot retroactively delete it for others. The option to "Delete for Everyone" must be used within the initial time frame of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message.

How to delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp after already deleting it for yourself - in detail?

Deleting a message for everyone in WhatsApp, especially after you've already deleted it for yourself, can be a bit tricky but is entirely possible with the right steps. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

  1. Identify the Message: First, locate the message you want to delete. This can be done by scrolling through your chat history or using the search function within the chat window.
  2. Check Deletion Status: WhatsApp provides different indicators for messages that have been deleted only for yourself versus those deleted for everyone. A message deleted only for you will show "This message was deleted for you" in the conversation, while a message successfully deleted for everyone will display "You deleted this message".
  3. Understand the Time Frame: WhatsApp allows users to delete messages for everyone within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 46 seconds of sending. If it’s been longer than this period, you won’t be able to delete the message for others, even if you initially deleted it only for yourself.
  4. Revoke Permission (if applicable): If the message was sent to a group, consider asking the group administrator or other participants to delete the message from their end. This can help ensure that all traces of the message are removed across devices.
  5. Delete Message Again for Everyone:

    • Long press on the message you want to delete.
    • Select the "Delete" option at the top of the screen.
    • Choose "Delete for everyone". WhatsApp will then attempt to remove the message from all recipients' devices.
  6. Verify Deletion: After attempting to delete the message, check the chat window again. The message should now show "You deleted this message" if successful. If it does not, it means the deletion was unsuccessful, likely due to the time constraint or another technical issue.
  7. Contact Support (if needed): If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to WhatsApp support for further assistance. They can provide more specific guidance based on your situation and the version of WhatsApp you are using.

By following these steps, you should be able to effectively manage the deletion of messages in WhatsApp, ensuring that sensitive or unwanted information is removed from all participants' devices.