How to delete a phone number from WhatsApp forever?

How to delete a phone number from WhatsApp forever - briefly?

To permanently delete a phone number from WhatsApp, follow these steps:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to "Settings."
  2. Select "Account," then "Delete My Account."

How to delete a phone number from WhatsApp forever - in detail?

Deleting a phone number from WhatsApp forever can be necessary for various reasons, such as updating your contact information or removing unwanted contacts. This process involves several steps and requires careful attention to ensure that the number is permanently removed. Below is a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

  1. Save Your Chat History (Optional but Recommended):

    Before deleting any phone number, it's wise to save your chat history if you want to keep it for future reference. You can do this by exporting the chat to an email or cloud storage service. To export a chat:

    • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat with the contact you wish to delete.
    • Tap on the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
    • Select "More" > "Export Chat".
    • Choose whether to include media or not, then select the email service where you want to send the chat history.
  2. Delete the Contact:

    Removing a contact from your device's address book is the first step in deleting their phone number from WhatsApp. Here’s how:

    • Open the Contacts app on your phone.
    • Find and select the contact you want to delete.
    • Tap on "Edit" or the three dots (menu) at the top-right corner, then select "Delete Contact".
  3. Revoke Access in WhatsApp:

    After deleting the contact from your phone book, you need to revoke their access to your WhatsApp account:

    • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat with the contact you want to delete.
    • Tap on the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
    • Select "More" > "Block". This will block the number from sending any further messages or calls, effectively cutting off communication.
  4. Delete the Chat:

    To completely remove all traces of the contact from your WhatsApp, you need to delete the chat:

    • Go back to the main screen of WhatsApp and find the chat with the blocked contact.
    • Swipe left on the chat to reveal options like "Archive" or "Delete". Select "Delete".
    • Confirm that you want to delete the chat by tapping "Delete Chat".
  5. Clear Cache (Optional but Recommended):

    To ensure that no residual data remains, you can clear the cache of WhatsApp:

    • Go to your phone’s Settings app.
    • Navigate to "Apps" or "Application Manager".
    • Find and tap on WhatsApp.
    • Tap on "Storage" and then select "Clear Cache".
  6. Verify Deletion:

    To ensure that the contact has been permanently deleted, you can search for them in your contacts list and WhatsApp:

    • Open the Contacts app and search for the phone number. It should not appear in the list.
    • Open WhatsApp and check both the main screen and the archived chats to ensure that the contact is no longer listed.

By following these steps, you can effectively delete a phone number from WhatsApp forever, ensuring that all traces of the contact are removed from your device and account.