How to delete an unread WhatsApp message from your interlocutor's device after 3 hours?

How to delete an unread WhatsApp message from your interlocutor's device after 3 hours - briefly?

To delete an unread WhatsApp message from your interlocutor's device after three hours, you can use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within the specified time frame of one hour, eight minutes, and sixteen seconds.

How to delete an unread WhatsApp message from your interlocutor's device after 3 hours - in detail?

To delete an unread WhatsApp message from your interlocutor's device after three hours, you need to act promptly within the allowed time frame. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
  2. Locate the Message: Go to the chat where the message you want to delete is located.
  3. Select the Message: Long press on the message until it is highlighted. If you are using an iPhone, swipe left on the message instead.
  4. Delete for Everyone Option: Once the message is selected, look for the 'Delete for everyone' option. This feature allows you to remove the message from both your device and the recipient's device.
  5. Confirm Deletion: Tap on 'Delete for everyone'. A confirmation dialog will appear, asking if you are sure you want to delete the message. Confirm your choice.
  6. Successful Deletion: If the deletion is successful, both you and the recipient will see a notification saying "This message was deleted." Note that this option is only available within seven minutes after sending the message. After this time frame, you cannot delete messages for everyone, and they can only be deleted from your own device.

Important Considerations:

  • Time Limit: The 'Delete for everyone' feature is only effective within seven minutes of sending the message. After this period, WhatsApp does not allow messages to be deleted from the recipient’s device.
  • Recipient Awareness: Even if you delete a message successfully, the recipient may still see a notification indicating that a message was deleted.
  • Backup and Notifications: Deleted messages may still appear in backups and notifications until the backup or notification is updated.

Alternative Methods:

If you miss the seven-minute window, there are no official WhatsApp features to delete unread messages from your interlocutor's device after three hours. However, you can delete the message from your own device to remove it from your chat history. Here’s how:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
  2. Locate the Message: Go to the chat where the message you want to delete is located.
  3. Select the Message: Long press on the message until it is highlighted (or swipe left on an iPhone).
  4. Delete for Me: Choose the 'Delete for me' option. This will remove the message from your device but not from the recipient’s device.

By following these steps, you can manage the visibility of messages within WhatsApp effectively.