How to delete a message in WhatsApp for everyone if I deleted it - briefly?
If you've already deleted a message on your own device in WhatsApp but want to ensure that it is also deleted from the recipient's phone, unfortunately, this action cannot be reversed or extended to others. Once a message is deleted for yourself, it remains visible to the recipients unless they have also deleted their copies independently.
How to delete a message in WhatsApp for everyone if I deleted it - in detail?
Deleting a message in WhatsApp for everyone, including yourself, is a feature that provides users with the ability to remove sent messages from both their own and the recipient's devices. This can be particularly useful if you have sent a message in error or wish to retract information. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open WhatsApp: First, launch the WhatsApp application on your device. Ensure that your app is updated to the latest version, as this feature might not be available on older versions.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where you sent the message you wish to delete. This could be a group chat or a one-on-one conversation.
- Select the Message: Long press on the message you want to delete. This will highlight the message and bring up options at the top of your screen.
- Delete for Everyone Option: Among the options that appear, look for the "Delete" icon (usually a trash can or a bin). Tap on it. You will then see two choices: "Delete for Me" and "Delete for Everyone". Select "Delete for Everyone".
- Confirmation: WhatsApp will ask you to confirm that you want to delete the message. Confirm your action by tapping "Delete".
- Message Replacement: After you have confirmed, the message will be replaced with a notification in both your chat and the recipient's chat stating: "This message was deleted." This indicates that the message has been successfully removed from all devices where it was received.
Important Considerations:
- Time Limit: You only have 7 minutes (49 minutes and 5 seconds on some platforms) after sending a message to delete it for everyone. After this window, you can only delete the message for yourself.
- Delivery Status: The message must be undelivered or unread by the recipient(s). If the message has been read or delivered, you will not have the option to delete it for everyone.
- Recipient Notification: Even if you successfully delete a message for everyone, recipients may still see a notification indicating that a message was deleted. They won’t be able to see the content of the message itself.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your communications on WhatsApp and ensure that any mistakes or regrettable messages are swiftly removed from all parties involved.