How to delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp if it has been read - briefly?
To delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp after it has been read, you must act quickly within the initial 1 hour and 8 minutes of sending the message. Once this time frame has passed, you will not be able to delete the message for all recipients.
How to delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp if it has been read - in detail?
Deleting a message for everyone in WhatsApp is a feature designed to help users correct mistakes or retract messages they no longer wish to have sent. However, this feature comes with certain limitations and conditions that users should be aware of. Specifically, the ability to delete a message for everyone is time-sensitive and depends on whether the message has been read by the recipient.
To begin with, it's important to understand the time constraints associated with deleting messages. WhatsApp allows users to delete messages for everyone within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending the message. After this window expires, the "Delete for Everyone" option will no longer be available. This time limit applies regardless of whether the recipient has read the message or not.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to delete a message that has already been read by the recipient, you should act quickly within the specified time frame. Here are the detailed steps to follow:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Navigate to Chats: Go to the "Chats" section where you can see all your conversations.
- Select the Chat: Choose the chat or conversation in which the message was sent.
- Locate the Message: Scroll through the messages to find the one you wish to delete.
- Long Press on the Message: Tap and hold the message until a menu appears at the top of your screen.
- Select "Delete": From the menu options, tap on the "Delete" icon (represented by a trash can or a dustbin).
- Confirm Deletion: A pop-up window will ask if you want to delete the message for everyone or just for yourself. Choose "Delete for Everyone."
- Verify Deletion: After confirming, WhatsApp will attempt to delete the message from both your device and the recipient's device. You will see a notification indicating whether the deletion was successful or if it failed due to time constraints or other reasons.
It is crucial to note that even if you successfully delete a message for everyone, there is still no guarantee that the recipient did not read the content before the deletion took place. Additionally, recipients may have notifications enabled that display a preview of the message, which could also allow them to see the content before deletion.
In conclusion, while WhatsApp provides a convenient feature for deleting messages sent in error, users should be mindful of the time constraints and potential limitations involved in using this functionality effectively.