How to delete correspondence in WhatsApp from the interlocutor if a lot of time has passed?

How to delete correspondence in WhatsApp from the interlocutor if a lot of time has passed - briefly?

If you want to delete old conversations from your WhatsApp account and ensure they are also removed from your contact's device, you can use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within 1 hour 8 minutes and 16 seconds after sending the message. However, if a significant amount of time has passed, you will not be able to delete messages from both devices simultaneously.

How to delete correspondence in WhatsApp from the interlocutor if a lot of time has passed - in detail?

Deleting old correspondence from WhatsApp for both yourself and your interlocutor can be achieved through several methods, even if a considerable amount of time has passed since the messages were sent. Below are detailed steps to ensure all traces of past conversations are removed effectively:

1. Using the 'Delete for Me' Option:

   • Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat you want to delete.
   • Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner to access the menu.
   • Select 'More' and then choose 'Delete for Me'. This will remove the messages from your device but they will still be visible to the other participant.

2. Using the 'Delete for Everyone' Option:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat you wish to clear.
   • Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner and select 'More'.
   • Choose 'Clear Chat'. You will be prompted with two options: 'Delete for Me' or 'Delete for Everyone'.
   • Select 'Delete for Everyone'. This option is available only within 7 minutes of sending a message. If the message is older than that, it cannot be deleted from the recipient’s device using this method.

3. Archiving Old Chats:

   • Although archiving does not delete messages, it helps in organizing your chat list by hiding old conversations.
   • Long press on the chat you want to archive and select the archive icon (⏸) at the top of the screen.
   • Archived chats can be found under the 'Archived' section at the bottom of your chat list.

4. Using the Request Account Deletion Feature:

   • If you wish to permanently remove all data from WhatsApp, including old messages, you can request account deletion.
   • Go to Settings > Account > Delete My Account.
   • Enter your phone number and tap 'Delete My Account'. This will delete your WhatsApp account and all associated data, including chat history, from the servers. Note that this action is irreversible.

5. Backup and Restore:

   • Another method involves creating a backup of your current chats and then restoring them after deleting specific conversations.
   • Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and create a backup.
   • Delete the specific chat you want to remove.
   • Uninstall WhatsApp, reinstall it, and restore from the backup you created earlier. The deleted chat will not be included in the restored data.

It is important to note that while these methods can help manage your chat history, complete removal of old messages from both your device and the recipient's device is limited by WhatsApp’s design and privacy policies. For absolute control over message visibility, it is advisable to be mindful of what you send and regularly clean up unnecessary conversations.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and delete old correspondence in WhatsApp, even if a significant amount of time has passed since the messages were exchanged.