How to delete all messages from WhatsApp?

How to delete all messages from WhatsApp - briefly?

To delete all messages from WhatsApp, you need to use the "Delete for Everyone" feature or manually clear your chat history. Keep in mind that this action is irreversible and will permanently remove the messages from both your device and the recipient's device.

How to delete all messages from WhatsApp - in detail?

Deleting all messages from WhatsApp can be a useful way to free up storage space or maintain privacy. However, it's important to note that WhatsApp does not provide a built-in feature to delete all messages at once due to the potential for misuse and data loss. Nevertheless, there are methods you can use to achieve this goal on both Android and iOS devices.

For Android Users:

  1. Backup Your Chats: Before deleting any messages, make sure to back up your chats using Google Drive or any other preferred method. This will ensure that you don't lose important conversations permanently.
  2. Clear Conversation History:
    • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat from which you want to delete messages.
    • Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the screen.
    • Select "More" > "Delete Chat".
    • Confirm by tapping "DELETE". This will remove all messages, media, and files from that specific chat.
  3. Repeat for All Chats: Unfortunately, there is no option to select multiple chats at once. You must repeat the above steps for each individual chat you want to clear.
  4. Clear Media from Storage: After deleting the chats, you might still find media files in your device's storage. To remove them:
    • Open the File Manager app on your Android device.
    • Navigate to the WhatsApp folder (usually found in Internal Storage > WhatsApp).
    • Delete the Media and Sent folders, which contain images, videos, and other files sent or received through WhatsApp.

For iOS Users:

  1. Backup Your Chats: Similar to Android, back up your chats using iCloud before proceeding with any deletions.
  2. Clear Conversation History:
    • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat from which you want to delete messages.
    • Tap on the contact name at the top of the screen.
    • Scroll down and tap "Delete Chat".
    • Confirm by tapping "DELETE CHAT". This will remove all messages, media, and files from that specific chat.
  3. Repeat for All Chats: As with Android, you need to repeat these steps for each individual chat.
  4. Clear Media from Storage:
    • Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
    • Go to General > iPhone Storage.
    • Scroll down and tap on WhatsApp.
    • You will see options to review and delete different types of data, including documents and data. Delete the unnecessary files.

Important Considerations:

  • Data Loss: Deleting messages is a permanent action. Once deleted, you cannot recover them unless you have a backup.
  • Group Chats: Deleting a group chat will remove all messages from your device, but other members of the group will still see the messages in their chats.
  • Legal and Ethical Implications: Be mindful of any legal or ethical considerations before deleting messages, especially if they are related to important communications or evidence.

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively delete all messages from WhatsApp on both Android and iOS devices.