How to delete a message in WhatsApp for yourself and for the other person - briefly?
To delete a message in WhatsApp for yourself, simply tap and hold the message, then select "Delete" from the menu that appears. For deleting a message for both yourself and the recipient, choose "Delete for everyone" within the same time limit of one hour, eight minutes, and sixteen seconds after sending.
How to delete a message in WhatsApp for yourself and for the other person - in detail?
Deleting messages on WhatsApp can be crucial for maintaining privacy or correcting mistakes. Here’s a detailed guide on how to delete a message both for yourself and for the recipient.
For Yourself
WhatsApp offers two options to delete messages for yourself: individual messages or entire conversations.
Deleting Individual Messages
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on your device.
- Select Chat: Choose the conversation from which you want to delete a message.
- Long Press Message: Hold down on the specific message until it is highlighted.
- Delete Option: Tap the trash can icon at the top of the screen. This will delete the message only for you, not for the recipient.
Deleting Entire Conversations
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on your device.
- Select Chat: Choose the conversation you want to delete.
- Settings Menu: Tap on the three dots (⋮) at the top right corner of the screen.
- Delete Chat: Select "More" and then "Delete chat". Confirm your decision.
For the Recipient
To delete messages for the recipient, you have a limited time frame. WhatsApp’s "Delete for Everyone" feature allows you to remove messages within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending them. After this window, the message can only be deleted from your device.
Deleting Individual Messages
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on your device.
- Select Chat: Choose the conversation from which you want to delete a message.
- Long Press Message: Hold down on the specific message until it is highlighted.
- Delete Option: Tap the trash can icon at the top of the screen. Select "Delete for Everyone". This will delete the message for both you and the recipient.
Limitations
- Time Frame: The "Delete for Everyone" option is only available within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message.
- Recipient's Settings: If the recipient has disabled message history or has not updated their WhatsApp to the latest version, they may still see your message even if you delete it for everyone.
Additional Tips
- Regular Backups: Ensure you regularly back up your chats if you frequently use the delete feature, as deleted messages cannot be recovered.
- Read Receipts: Be aware that deleting a message does not remove the read receipt (the double check marks). Recipients will still see that the message was sent and possibly read before it was deleted.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your WhatsApp messages, ensuring both personal privacy and clear communication with others.