How to delete a WhatsApp message for myself and others - briefly?
To delete a WhatsApp message for yourself or others, follow these steps:
For yourself: Tap and hold the message, then select "Delete" > "Delete for me."
For others (within 1 hour, 8 minutes, 7 seconds): Tap and hold the message, then select "Delete" > "Delete for everyone."
How to delete a WhatsApp message for myself and others - in detail?
Deleting a WhatsApp message can be crucial for maintaining privacy or correcting an error. The process differs slightly depending on whether you want to delete the message only from your device or from both yours and the recipient's device. Here's a detailed guide on how to achieve this:
Deleting a Message Only From Your Device
WhatsApp allows you to delete messages from your chat history without notifying the other person. This action is purely local and does not affect the recipient's chat log.
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Select the Chat: Navigate to the chat containing the message you wish to delete.
- Long Press on the Message: Hold your finger down on the message until a menu appears.
- Delete for Me: In the menu, select "Delete for Me." This will remove the message from your device only.
Deleting a Message From Both Your and the Recipient's Device
For messages that you want to delete not just from your chat but also from the recipient’s end, WhatsApp provides a feature called "Delete for Everyone." However, there are specific conditions and time limits for this option.
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Select the Chat: Navigate to the chat containing the message you wish to delete.
- Long Press on the Message: Hold your finger down on the message until a menu appears.
- Delete for Everyone: In the menu, select "Delete for Everyone." This will remove the message from both your device and the recipient's device.
Important Considerations
- Time Limit: The "Delete for Everyone" feature is only available within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message. After this time frame, you can only delete the message from your device using the "Delete for Me" option.
- Read Receipts: If the recipient has not seen the message yet (as indicated by the absence of blue checkmarks), deleting it will also remove the message from their chat history. However, if they have already read or seen the message, deleting it will not affect their view of it.
- Group Chats: In group chats, the "Delete for Everyone" option is available but works similarly to individual chats. The message can be removed from everyone's chat history as long as it meets the time limit.
Final Thoughts
Deleting messages on WhatsApp is a simple process that can help you manage your communication effectively. Whether you choose to delete a message only for yourself or for everyone, understanding the limitations and conditions will ensure you use this feature efficiently.