How to delete a message in WhatsApp for yourself and the recipient - briefly?
To delete a message in WhatsApp for both yourself and the recipient, follow these steps: Open the chat where the message is located, tap and hold on the message, then select "Delete" from the menu that appears.
How to delete a message in WhatsApp for yourself and the recipient - in detail?
Deleting messages on WhatsApp can be crucial for maintaining privacy or correcting mistakes. Whether you want to remove a message from your own device or delete it entirely so that neither you nor the recipient can see it, here are the detailed steps:
Deleting Messages for Yourself
If you wish to delete a message only from your device, follow these simple steps:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where the message is located.
- Long Press: Find the message you want to delete and hold your finger on it until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
- Select Delete: Tap on the trash can icon or select "Delete" from the menu options.
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete the message by tapping "Delete for Me." This action will remove the message from your phone but leave it intact on the recipient's device.
Deleting Messages for Both You and the Recipient
If you need to delete a message so that neither you nor the recipient can see it, WhatsApp offers a feature called "Delete for Everyone." However, this option is only available within a specific time frame:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where the message is located.
- Long Press: Find the message you want to delete and hold your finger on it until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
- Select Delete: Tap on the trash can icon or select "Delete" from the menu options.
- Choose "Delete for Everyone": In the confirmation dialog, select "Delete for Everyone." This will remove the message from both your and the recipient's devices.
Important Considerations
- Time Limit: The "Delete for Everyone" option is only available within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message. After this time frame, you can only delete messages for yourself.
- Message Status: Deleted messages will be replaced with a note saying "This message was deleted." This applies to both parties involved in the chat.
- Group Chats: In group chats, all participants will see the "This message was deleted" notification if you choose "Delete for Everyone."
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your messages on WhatsApp, ensuring that sensitive information is kept private and mistakes are corrected promptly.