How to delete an unread message from a contact in WhatsApp?

How to delete an unread message from a contact in WhatsApp - briefly?

To delete an unread message from a contact in WhatsApp, follow these steps:

  1. Open the chat with the contact who sent the unread message.
  2. Long-press on the message until a menu appears, then select "Delete" and confirm your choice.

How to delete an unread message from a contact in WhatsApp - in detail?

Deleting an unread message from a contact in WhatsApp can be accomplished using several methods, depending on your device and preferences. Below is a detailed guide to help you achieve this task:

Method 1: Deleting Messages from the Chat Screen (Android)

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
  2. Select the Contact: Tap on the contact or group chat from which you want to delete the unread message.
  3. Long Press on the Message: Locate the unread message in the chat window and long press (hold down) on it until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
  4. Delete Option: In the menu, tap on the trash can icon or the "Delete" option to remove the selected message from your chat history.
  5. Confirm Deletion: You may be prompted to confirm the deletion. Tap "Delete" again to proceed.

Method 2: Deleting Messages from the Notification Bar (Android)

  1. Receive Message: When you receive an unread message, it will appear in your device's notification bar.
  2. Swipe Down on Notifications: Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the notification panel.
  3. Long Press on Message: Locate the WhatsApp message and long press (hold down) on it until a menu appears.
  4. Delete Option: In the menu, tap on the trash can icon or the "Delete" option to remove the selected message from your chat history.
  5. Confirm Deletion: You may be prompted to confirm the deletion. Tap "Delete" again to proceed.

Method 3: Deleting Messages for Everyone (Android and iOS)

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
  2. Select the Contact: Tap on the contact or group chat from which you want to delete the unread message.
  3. Long Press on the Message: Locate the unread message in the chat window and long press (hold down) on it until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
  4. Delete for Everyone: Select "Delete" from the menu, then choose "Delete for Everyone." This option will remove the message from both your chat history and the recipient's chat history.
  5. Confirm Deletion: You may be prompted to confirm the deletion. Tap "Delete for Everyone" again to proceed.

Method 4: Using WhatsApp Web (Desktop)

  1. Open WhatsApp Web: Visit web.whatsapp.com on your desktop browser and scan the QR code with your phone's WhatsApp application to link them.
  2. Select the Contact: Click on the contact or group chat from which you want to delete the unread message.
  3. Hover Over Message: Hover your mouse cursor over the unread message until a downward-facing arrow appears next to it.
  4. Delete Option: Click on the downward-facing arrow and select "Delete" from the dropdown menu.
  5. Confirm Deletion: You may be prompted to confirm the deletion. Click "Delete" again to proceed.

Important Notes:

  • The "Delete for Everyone" feature only works within a specific time frame, typically 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message. After this period, you can only delete messages from your own chat history.
  • Deleting a message will not remove it from backups unless you specifically choose to delete the backup as well.

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