How to delete a phone number from WhatsApp permanently - briefly?
To permanently delete a phone number from WhatsApp, you can either unregister your account or request that WhatsApp remove the phone number from their system. For unregistration, simply delete the app and do not reinstall it within 30 days; this will automatically delete your account and all associated data. Alternatively, you can contact WhatsApp support to request permanent removal of the phone number.
How to delete a phone number from WhatsApp permanently - in detail?
To permanently delete a phone number from WhatsApp, you need to follow a series of steps that ensure the number is completely removed from your account and device. This process involves deleting the contact, clearing the chat history, and finally removing the account if necessary.
Firstly, it's important to understand that simply deleting a phone number from your contacts list does not remove the associated WhatsApp data. To start the deletion process, you need to delete the contact from your phone’s address book:
- Open Contacts: Navigate to the Contacts app on your smartphone.
- Find the Contact: Locate the phone number or contact associated with the WhatsApp account you want to remove.
- Delete the Contact: Select the contact and choose the option to delete it from your contacts list.
Next, you need to clear any chat history related to that phone number:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Go to Settings: Tap on the three dots (or the gear icon) in the top right corner to access the settings menu.
- Select Account: In the settings, tap on "Account".
- Delete My Number: Under the "Account" section, select "Delete My Number". This option will permanently delete your WhatsApp account associated with that phone number.
- Confirm Deletion: Follow the prompts to confirm the deletion of your account. This action will remove all chat history and media related to that phone number from your device.
After completing these steps, the phone number should be permanently deleted from WhatsApp on your device. However, if you want to ensure that all data is removed from WhatsApp servers as well, it's crucial to delete your WhatsApp account entirely:
- Open Settings: Return to the settings menu in WhatsApp.
- Go to Account: Tap on "Account".
- Delete My Account: Select "Delete My Account" from the options.
- Enter Phone Number: Enter your phone number when prompted. This step will initiate the account deletion process.
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete your account. This action will remove your WhatsApp account and all associated data from WhatsApp servers permanently.
It's essential to note that once you delete your WhatsApp account, you cannot restore the chat history or media associated with that phone number. Therefore, ensure that you have backed up any important data before proceeding with these steps.
By following these detailed instructions, you can effectively and permanently remove a phone number from WhatsApp, ensuring that all associated data is deleted from both your device and WhatsApp servers.