How to delete a WhatsApp message - briefly?
Deleting a sent message on WhatsApp is possible within seven minutes of sending it. To do this, open the chat containing the message, tap and hold on the message, then select "Delete" from the menu that appears at the top of the screen.
How to delete a WhatsApp message - in detail?
Deleting a WhatsApp message can be necessary for various reasons, such as correcting an error, removing sensitive information, or simply tidying up your chat history. Here is a detailed guide on how to delete a WhatsApp message:
For Individual Messages:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Select Chat: Choose the chat from which you want to delete the message. This could be an individual or group chat.
- Long Press: Locate the message you wish to delete and perform a long press on it. For iOS users, this action is typically called a "press and hold".
- Delete Option: A menu will appear with several options including "Delete for Me" and "Delete for Everyone".
- Delete for Me: This option removes the message from your device only. The recipient will still be able to see it in their chat window.
- Delete for Everyone: This feature allows you to delete the message from both your and the recipient's devices. However, this option is time-sensitive. You have 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds (from the time of sending) to use it. After that, only the "Delete for Me" option will be available.
- Confirm Deletion: Select your preferred deletion method, and confirm the action. The message will then be removed from the chat history.
For Multiple Messages:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Select Chat: Choose the chat containing the messages you want to delete.
- Long Press First Message: Locate and perform a long press on the first message you wish to delete.
- Select Messages: After the menu appears, tap on additional messages to select them. A counter will appear at the top of the screen indicating how many messages are selected.
- Delete Option: Tap on the trash can icon or "Delete" option that appears at the top right corner of the screen.
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm your action, and the selected messages will be deleted from your chat history.
Important Considerations:
- Time Limit for "Delete for Everyone": As mentioned earlier, you have a limited time window to use this feature. Make sure to act quickly if you need to delete a message for everyone.
- Recipient Notification: When you use the "Delete for Everyone" option, recipients will see a notification saying, "This message was deleted". They won't be able to see the content of the message, but they will know that something has been removed.
- Backup and Archive: Deleting messages from your chat history does not remove them from backups or archives unless you specifically delete those as well.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and clean up your WhatsApp messages, ensuring your communication remains organized and secure.