How to delete a message from a recipient in WhatsApp - briefly?
To delete a message from a recipient in WhatsApp, simply long-press on the message you want to remove and select "Delete for everyone." This action will permanently erase the message from both your device and the recipient's chat history.
How to delete a message from a recipient in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleting a message from a recipient in WhatsApp can be achieved through the "Delete for Everyone" feature, which allows users to remove messages they have sent from both their own devices and those of the recipients. This feature is particularly useful when you need to correct an error or retract a statement. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use this functionality:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Locate the Message: Navigate to the chat where the message you want to delete is located. Scroll through the conversation until you find the specific message.
- Select the Message: Tap and hold on the message you wish to delete until a menu appears at the top of your screen.
- Delete for Everyone Option: In the menu that pops up, select "Delete for Everyone." This option will only be available if the message was sent within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 0 seconds from the time you are trying to delete it. If more time has passed since sending the message, this option will not appear.
- Confirm Deletion: A confirmation dialogue will appear asking if you want to delete the message for everyone. Tap "Delete" to confirm your action.
- Acknowledge Successful Deletion: After confirmation, you will see a notification stating that the message was successfully deleted for everyone in the chat. This means that the message will no longer be visible to both you and the recipients.
It is important to note that while this feature provides an effective way to remove messages from all devices involved in a conversation, there are some limitations:
- Time Limit: The "Delete for Everyone" option is only available within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 0 seconds of sending the message. After this time frame, you will only be able to delete the message from your own device using the "Delete for Me" option.
- Recipient Notification: Recipients may still see a notification indicating that a message was deleted. WhatsApp does not provide a way to hide these notifications completely.
- Backup and Forwarding: Deleted messages may still be present in backups or if they have been forwarded to other chats before deletion.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your communication on WhatsApp, ensuring that any sensitive or incorrect information is promptly removed from the conversation history.