How to delete a sent message from WhatsApp - briefly?
To delete a sent message on WhatsApp, you can use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within seven minutes of sending the message. Simply tap and hold the message, select "Delete," and choose "Delete for Everyone."
How to delete a sent message from WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleting a sent message on WhatsApp can be an essential skill in today's digital age, where mistakes or regrettable messages may need to be retracted. WhatsApp provides users with a feature that allows them to delete messages for both the sender and the recipient(s). Here’s how you can effectively delete a sent message from WhatsApp:
Firstly, it's crucial to understand that this feature is time-bound. You have 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 46 seconds after sending a message to delete it before it becomes permanently visible in the chat history of your recipients. Once this window has passed, you can only delete the message from your device, but it will remain on the recipient's device.
Steps to Delete a Sent Message:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Go to the Chat: Navigate to the chat where you sent the message you want to delete. This could be an individual chat or a group chat.
- Locate the Message: Scroll through the conversation until you find the message you wish to delete.
- Select the Message: Tap and hold on the message until it is highlighted, indicating that it has been selected.
- Delete for Everyone: At the top of your screen, you will see a few options appear: "Delete" (with a trash can icon) and "Forward". Tap on the "Delete" option.
- Confirm Deletion: A pop-up window will ask you to confirm whether you want to delete the message for everyone or just for yourself. Choose "Delete for Everyone".
Important Notes:
- Time Limit: As mentioned, the message must be deleted within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 46 seconds of being sent. After this period, the option to delete the message for everyone will no longer be available.
- Recipient Notification: When you successfully delete a message for everyone, your recipients will see "This message was deleted" in place of the original message.
- Failed Deletion: If the deletion is unsuccessful (for instance, if the recipient’s phone is offline or they have an older version of WhatsApp), only you will see the “This message was deleted” text, while the recipients will still see the original message.
Additional Tips:
- Check Connection: Ensure that both your and the recipient's devices are connected to the internet to facilitate the deletion process.
- Update WhatsApp: Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed, as updates often include bug fixes and new features related to message deletion.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage your communication on WhatsApp and avoid any potential misunderstandings or embarrassments that may arise from sent messages.