How to delete a WhatsApp message for all participants after deleting it for yourself on Android?

How to delete a WhatsApp message for all participants after deleting it for yourself on Android - briefly?

To delete a WhatsApp message for all participants after deleting it for yourself on an Android device, you can use the "Delete for everyone" feature within seven minutes of sending the message. Simply long-press on the message and select the trash icon, then choose "Delete for everyone."

How to delete a WhatsApp message for all participants after deleting it for yourself on Android - in detail?

Deleting a WhatsApp message for all participants after initially deleting it for yourself can be a challenging task, especially if the message has already been read or is more than 13 hours old. However, with some quick action and understanding of the app's capabilities, you can still attempt to manage the situation effectively.

Firstly, it’s important to recognize that WhatsApp provides a feature called "Delete for Everyone," which allows users to remove messages from both their own device and the devices of other participants in the chat. This feature is particularly useful when you need to retract sensitive or incorrect information promptly. Here’s how you can proceed:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
  2. Navigate to the Chat: Go to the specific chat where the message was sent.
  3. Locate the Message: Scroll through the conversation to find the message you want to delete.
  4. Long Press on the Message: Tap and hold the message until a menu appears at the top of your screen.
  5. Select "Delete": From the menu options, choose "Delete." This action will initially remove the message from your own device.
  6. Confirm Deletion for Everyone: Immediately after deleting the message, WhatsApp will prompt you with an option to "Delete for Everyone." Tap on this option to initiate the process of removing the message from all participants' devices.
  7. Check Status: After selecting "Delete for Everyone," you will see a notice that says "You deleted this message" in place of the original content. Other participants in the chat will also see the same notice, indicating that the message has been removed from their view as well.

Important Considerations:

  • Time Limit: The "Delete for Everyone" feature only works if the message is deleted within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of being sent. After this time frame, you will not have the option to delete the message for others.
  • Read Receipts: If a recipient has already read the message or the message contains media files like photos or videos, deleting it for everyone might not be entirely successful. Some recipients may still see the content or receive a notification that a message was deleted.
  • Group Chats: In group chats, all participants will see the "This message was deleted" notice, but they won’t know who deleted it.

By following these steps and being aware of the limitations, you can effectively manage the deletion of WhatsApp messages for all participants after initially removing them from your own device.