How to delete messages for everyone in WhatsApp - briefly?
To delete messages for everyone in WhatsApp, you need to use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within the first seven minutes of sending a message. Simply tap and hold on the message, select "Delete," then choose "Delete for Everyone." This will remove the message from both your device and the recipient's device.
How to delete messages for everyone in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleting messages for everyone in WhatsApp can be a useful feature when you need to retract a message that was sent by mistake or contains sensitive information. This functionality is available for both individual chats and group conversations, provided the message is deleted within a certain time frame. Here’s a detailed guide on how to delete messages for everyone in WhatsApp:
Time Frame for Deletion
It's crucial to understand that you have a limited window of opportunity to delete messages for everyone. For individual chats, you can delete a message within 1 hour 8 minutes and 16 seconds after it was sent. In group chats, the time frame is shorter: 1 hour 8 minutes and 16 seconds as well. If the message is older than this period, the "Delete for Everyone" option will not be available.
Steps to Delete Messages for Everyone
On Android Devices:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
- Navigate to Chats: Go to the chat where you want to delete the message. This can be an individual or group chat.
- Locate the Message: Find the message you wish to delete.
- Select the Message: Long-press on the message until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
- Delete for Everyone: Tap on the "Delete" icon (represented by a trash can) in the menu. A pop-up will appear with two options: "Delete for Me" and "Delete for Everyone." Select "Delete for Everyone."
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete the message. Once confirmed, the message will be removed from both your device and the recipient's device.
On iOS Devices:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your iOS device.
- Navigate to Chats: Go to the chat where you want to delete the message. This can be an individual or group chat.
- Locate the Message: Find the message you wish to delete.
- Select the Message: Swipe left on the message until a menu appears with options such as "Reply," "Star," and "More."
- Delete for Everyone: Tap on "More" and then tap on the "Delete" icon (represented by a trash can). A pop-up will appear with two options: "Cancel," "Delete," and "Delete for Everyone." Select "Delete for Everyone."
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm that you want to delete the message. Once confirmed, the message will be removed from both your device and the recipient's device.
Important Considerations
- Recipient Notification: When you delete a message for everyone, recipients will see a notification stating "This message was deleted." This is to ensure transparency and maintain trust within conversations.
- Failed Deletion: If the deletion process fails, it could be due to various reasons such as an outdated version of WhatsApp or connectivity issues. Ensure that both you and the recipient have the latest version of WhatsApp installed and are connected to the internet.
- Backup Considerations: Deleted messages will also be removed from backups. This means that if you delete a message for everyone, it cannot be restored even from a backup.
By following these steps, you can effectively delete messages for everyone in WhatsApp, ensuring that sensitive or erroneous information is no longer visible to recipients.