How to delete all history in WhatsApp for everyone - briefly?
To delete all history in WhatsApp for everyone, you need to use the "Delete for Everyone" feature. This allows you to remove messages from both your device and the recipient's device within a limited time frame of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message.
How to delete all history in WhatsApp for everyone - in detail?
Deleting all conversation history in WhatsApp can be a necessary step for various reasons, such as freeing up storage space or maintaining privacy. Here’s a detailed guide on how to delete all history in WhatsApp for everyone:
Understanding the Limitations
Before diving into the process, it's important to understand that WhatsApp does not have a built-in feature to delete entire conversation histories for both parties simultaneously. However, there are workarounds that can help achieve this goal.
Backup Your Data (Optional but Recommended)
Before proceeding with deletion, consider backing up your chat history. This ensures you don’t lose any important data unintentionally. WhatsApp offers a built-in backup feature to Google Drive or iCloud for Android and iOS users respectively.
Deleting Messages on Your Device
To delete all messages from your device:
- Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat you want to clear.
- Tap and hold a message until the options menu appears.
- Select the trash can icon at the top of the screen to delete the selected message.
- To delete multiple messages, repeat the process for each message or use the select all option if available.
Deleting Messages for Everyone (Using Delete for Everyone Feature)
WhatsApp’s "Delete for Everyone" feature allows you to remove specific messages from a chat for both parties involved in the conversation:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat with the message you want to delete.
- Tap and hold the message until the options menu appears.
- Select the trash can icon at the top of the screen.
- Choose Delete for Everyone.
Clearing Chats Manually (One by One)
If you need to delete entire chat histories, you will have to do so manually for each conversation:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat history you want to delete.
- Tap on the three dots or the profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select More or Delete Chat.
- Confirm by selecting Delete when prompted.
Factory Reset (Last Resort)
As a last resort, if you need to clear all WhatsApp data and start fresh:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from the app store.
- During setup, choose not to restore any backups.
Important Considerations
- Deleting messages or chats will remove them from your device but not from WhatsApp’s servers immediately. The "Delete for Everyone" feature only works if both parties are using the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Back up important data before proceeding with any deletion to avoid accidental loss of valuable information.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and delete your WhatsApp chat history as needed.