How to delete all messages in a WhatsApp chat for everyone?

How to delete all messages in a WhatsApp chat for everyone - briefly?

To delete all messages in a WhatsApp chat for everyone, you need to use the "Delete for Everyone" feature. This option allows you to remove sent messages from both your device and the recipient's device within an hour of sending them.

How to delete all messages in a WhatsApp chat for everyone - in detail?

Deleting all messages in a WhatsApp chat for everyone can be crucial when you need to clean up your conversation history or remove sensitive information. This process involves a few steps and requires both the sender and recipients to have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on their devices. Here’s a detailed guide:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone. Ensure that you are using the most recent version, as older versions may not support this feature.
  2. Select the Chat: Navigate to the chat from which you want to delete all messages. This could be an individual conversation or a group chat.
  3. Access the Chat Settings: Once in the desired chat, tap on the three vertical dots (⋮) located at the top right corner of the screen. This will open a menu with several options.
  4. Delete for Everyone: In the menu that appears, select "More" or "Delete chat". A new prompt will ask you if you want to delete the chat for everyone or just for yourself. Choose "Delete for everyone".
  5. Confirmation: You will be asked to confirm your decision. Tap on "DELETE" to proceed. This action cannot be undone, so make sure that this is what you intend to do.
  6. Wait for Confirmation: WhatsApp will now attempt to delete the messages from both your device and the devices of all participants in the chat. You’ll see a message indicating whether the deletion was successful or not. If it fails, you may need to try again later.

Important Considerations:

  • Time Limit: The "Delete for Everyone" feature only works within seven minutes after sending a message. After this time frame, you won’t be able to delete messages for everyone.
  • Internet Connection: Both you and the recipients must have an active internet connection for the deletion process to work successfully.
  • Recipient's Device Status: If the recipient's device is offline or WhatsApp is not running, the message will be deleted only on your end until their device comes back online. Once they reconnect, the message will disappear from their chat history as well.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage your conversation history and ensure that sensitive information is removed from all parties involved in a WhatsApp chat.