How to delete a message in WhatsApp without the possibility of recovery on Android - briefly?
To permanently delete a message in WhatsApp on an Android device without the possibility of recovery, you can use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within seven minutes of sending the message. However, this option is only available if both the sender and recipient have not seen the message yet.
How to delete a message in WhatsApp without the possibility of recovery on Android - in detail?
Deleting messages in WhatsApp on an Android device is a straightforward process, but ensuring that these messages cannot be recovered requires additional steps. Here’s a detailed guide to help you achieve this:
Step 1: Delete the Message Manually
First, open the WhatsApp application and navigate to the chat or group where the message is located. Long press on the message you want to delete until it is selected. Then, tap on the trash can icon at the top of the screen to delete the message. This action will remove the message from your device, but it may still be present on the recipient's device unless they also delete it.
Step 2: Delete for Everyone (if applicable)
If you want to ensure that the message is deleted from both your and the recipient’s devices, WhatsApp offers a "Delete for Everyone" feature. To use this, follow these steps immediately after sending the message:
- Open the chat containing the message you wish to delete.
- Long press on the message until it is selected.
- Tap on the trash can icon at the top of the screen.
- Select "Delete for Everyone." Note that this option will only be available if the message was sent less than 7 minutes ago and both you and your recipient are using the latest version of WhatsApp.
Step 3: Clear Chat History
To further ensure that messages are not recoverable, you can clear the chat history. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the WhatsApp application and go to the chat or group whose history you want to delete.
- Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select "More" from the dropdown menu.
- Choose "Clear Chat." You will be prompted to confirm this action.
- Confirm by tapping "Clear." This will delete all messages, photos, videos, and other media from that specific chat.
Step 4: Backup and Restore (if necessary)
If you want to ensure that no traces of the deleted messages remain on your device, consider backing up and then restoring your WhatsApp data. This process will overwrite any existing data with a clean backup. Follow these steps:
- Go to "Settings" in the WhatsApp application.
- Navigate to "Chats" and then select "Chat Backup."
- Tap on "Back Up" to create a new backup of your chats.
- After the backup is complete, uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
- Follow the setup instructions and restore your chat history from the backup created earlier.
Step 5: Factory Reset (as a last resort)
For the most secure method of ensuring no messages can be recovered, you can perform a factory reset on your Android device. Note that this will erase all data from your device, so make sure to back up any important information before proceeding. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to "Settings" on your Android device.
- Scroll down and select "System."
- Tap on "Advanced" or "Reset options."
- Choose "Erase all data (factory reset)."
- Follow the prompts to complete the factory reset process.
By following these detailed steps, you can effectively delete messages in WhatsApp without the possibility of recovery on an Android device.