How to delete messages from all phones in WhatsApp - briefly?
To delete messages from all devices in WhatsApp, use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within seven minutes of sending the message. This will remove the message from both your device and the recipient's device.
How to delete messages from all phones in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleting messages from all devices in WhatsApp can be a crucial task for maintaining privacy and security. The process involves several steps, and it's essential to follow them carefully to ensure that the message is permanently removed from all linked devices. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this:
- Open WhatsApp: First, open the WhatsApp application on your phone. This can be done by tapping on the WhatsApp icon on your home screen or app drawer.
- Navigate to the Chat: Locate and open the chat where the message you want to delete is found. You can do this by going to the Chats tab at the bottom of the screen and finding the contact or group in your list of conversations.
- Select the Message: Long-press on the specific message that you wish to delete until it becomes highlighted. If you need to select multiple messages, you can tap on additional messages while holding down on the first one.
- Use the Delete Option: After selecting the message(s), tap on the trash can icon or the 'Delete' option that appears at the top of the screen. This will remove the message from your device.
- Confirm Deletion: You may be prompted to confirm the deletion. Tap 'Delete for Me' if you want to delete the message only from your device, or choose 'Delete for Everyone' to remove it from all devices linked to that WhatsApp account. Note that the 'Delete for Everyone' option is only available within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending the message.
- Check Other Devices: To ensure that the message has been deleted from all devices, you can check your other linked devices where WhatsApp is installed. Open the same chat on those devices and verify that the message is no longer visible.
It's important to remember that while 'Delete for Everyone' removes the message from all participants’ phones, it does not delete the message from the backups of any users. This means that if a user has enabled backups, the deleted messages may still be present in their backup until the next backup overwrites them.
Additionally, WhatsApp provides an option to set automatic deletion for messages in chats. To enable this feature:
- Open Settings: Tap on the three dots (⋮) at the top right corner of your screen to open the menu and select 'Settings'.
- Account: Go to 'Account' from the settings menu.
- Privacy: Select 'Privacy'.
- Default Message Timer: Choose 'Default Message Timer'.
- Set Time Limit: Here, you can set a time limit for how long messages should be visible before they are automatically deleted. Options include 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and delete messages from all devices in WhatsApp, ensuring that your conversations remain private and secure.