How to delete a WhatsApp conversation permanently?

How to delete a WhatsApp conversation permanently - briefly?

To permanently delete a WhatsApp conversation, open the chat, tap on the three dots in the top right corner, select "More" and then "Delete Chat." After confirming, you can choose to delete for everyone or just yourself.

How to delete a WhatsApp conversation permanently - in detail?

Deleting a WhatsApp conversation permanently involves several steps, ensuring that the messages are removed from both your device and WhatsApp's servers. It is important to note that while deleting conversations on your end will remove them from your device, they may still be available on the recipient's device unless they also delete the conversation. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

1. Back Up Your Chats (Optional but Recommended):

   Before you proceed with deleting any conversations permanently, it is advisable to back up your chats. This ensures that you don't lose important data inadvertently. To do this:

   • Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
   • Tap on 'Back Up Now' and follow the prompts.

2. Delete the Conversation from Your Device:

   • Open WhatsApp and navigate to the conversation you want to delete.
   • Tap and hold on the conversation until a menu appears at the top of your screen.
   • Select 'Delete Chat' from the menu.
   • You will be prompted to choose whether you want to cancel the message, delete the chat from your phone only, or delete the chat from both your phone and WhatsApp’s backup. For a permanent deletion, select 'Delete for Everyone'.

3. Clear Backup (if necessary):

   If you have previously backed up your chats to Google Drive or iCloud, these backups might still contain the deleted conversation. To ensure that the conversation is permanently removed from all sources:

   • For Android users: Go to Settings > Accounts > Google > Google Account (email) > Google Drive. Tap on 'Manage Storage' and look for WhatsApp backups. Delete them if necessary.
   • For iOS users: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > WhatsApp. Delete the backup if necessary.

4. Deleting Media Files:

   Deleting a conversation does not automatically delete the media files (photos, videos) associated with it. To remove these files:

   • Go to your phone's file manager or gallery app.
   • Locate the WhatsApp folder and manually delete any media files related to the deleted conversation.

5. Requesting Deletion from Recipient:

   If you have sent messages that you now want to delete permanently, you can use the 'Delete for Everyone' feature:

   • Open the chat containing the message you want to delete.
   • Tap and hold on the message until a menu appears.
   • Select 'Delete for Everyone'. Note that this option is only available for up to 7 minutes after sending the message.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your WhatsApp conversation is deleted permanently from both your device and WhatsApp's servers. Always remember that while you can delete messages from your end, the recipient might still have access to them unless they also choose to delete their copy of the conversation.