How to delete messages completely in WhatsApp?

How to delete messages completely in WhatsApp - briefly?

To delete messages completely in WhatsApp, you can either choose the "Delete for me" option, which removes the message from your device but leaves it visible to others, or the "Delete for everyone" option, which erases the message from both your and the recipient's devices within an hour of sending.

How to delete messages completely in WhatsApp - in detail?

Deleting messages completely in WhatsApp can be a crucial task for users looking to maintain their privacy or free up space on their devices. Here’s how you can effectively delete messages, including both individual and group chats:

  1. Delete Individual Messages:

    • Open the WhatsApp application on your device.
    • Navigate to the chat where the message you want to delete is located.
    • Long press on the specific message until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
    • Tap on the trash can icon (Delete) in the menu. This will remove the message from your view.
    • Confirm the deletion by tapping "Delete for me" if you only want to delete it from your device, or "Delete for everyone" if you wish to remove the message from both your and the recipient's devices. Note that the "Delete for everyone" option is available for up to 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message.

  2. Clear Chat History:

    • If you want to delete an entire conversation, open WhatsApp and go to the chat you wish to clear.
    • Tap on the three dots (More options) in the top right corner of the screen.
    • Select "More" from the dropdown menu.
    • Choose "Clear chat" or "Delete chat." You will be prompted with a confirmation message asking if you are sure you want to delete the chat. Confirm your choice, and the entire chat history will be erased.

  3. Delete Media Files:

    • Sometimes, messages alone don’t take up much space; media files like photos and videos do. To free up storage:
      • Go to "Settings" in WhatsApp.
      • Select "Storage and Data."
      • Tap on "Manage Storage." Here you can see how much space is taken up by different types of media.
      • You can select specific files or use the "Clear All Chats" option to remove all media files from your device.

  4. Backup Before Deleting:

    • Before performing any major deletions, it’s advisable to back up your WhatsApp data:
      • Go to "Settings" in WhatsApp.
      • Navigate to "Chats" and then select "Chat Backup."
      • Follow the prompts to back up your chats to Google Drive or iCloud, depending on your device type.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your messages are deleted completely from WhatsApp, maintaining your privacy and freeing up valuable storage space on your device.