How to delete messages in a WhatsApp group for all participants if you are not an administrator - briefly?
If you are not an administrator in a WhatsApp group, you cannot delete messages for all participants. Only the group administrators have this capability.
How to delete messages in a WhatsApp group for all participants if you are not an administrator - in detail?
Deleting messages in a WhatsApp group for all participants when you're not an administrator can be challenging, as the ability to delete messages for everyone is typically reserved for group administrators. However, there are a few strategies you can consider:
Request Administrative Privileges
The most straightforward approach is to ask one of the group administrators to delete the message on your behalf. Since they have the necessary permissions, this method ensures that the message will be removed for all participants.
Message Revocation (Unsend) Feature
WhatsApp offers a built-in feature that allows users to "unsend" messages within a specific timeframe. This feature is available to all group members, regardless of their administrative status. Here’s how you can use it:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group where the message was sent.
- Locate the message you want to delete.
- Tap and hold on the message until a menu appears at the top of your screen.
- Select the "Delete" option from the menu.
- Choose whether you want to "Delete for me" or "Delete for everyone".
Note:
- The "Delete for everyone" option is only available within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending the message. After this timeframe, you can only delete the message for yourself.
Leave the Group (Temporary)
If the above methods are not feasible, another approach is to leave the group temporarily. This will remove your access to the messages but will allow you to rejoin later if needed:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group.
- Tap on the group name at the top of the screen to open the group info page.
- Scroll down and tap "Exit Group".
- Confirm your decision by tapping "Exit".
Rejoining the Group
After leaving, you can rejoin the group if necessary:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group again.
- Tap on the group name at the top of the screen to open the group info page.
- Scroll down and tap "Invite via Link".
- Follow the instructions to rejoin the group using the invitation link provided by one of the administrators.
Use WhatsApp Web or Desktop
If you prefer using a computer, you can use WhatsApp Web or the desktop app:
- Open WhatsApp Web in your web browser (web.whatsapp.com) and scan the QR code with your phone.
- Go to the group and locate the message you want to delete.
- Right-click on the message and select "Delete".
- Choose whether you want to "Delete for me" or "Delete for everyone".
Conclusion
While deleting messages in a WhatsApp group for all participants without being an administrator is limited, using the "unsend" feature within the timeframe or asking an administrator for help are effective methods. If these options are not available, temporarily leaving and rejoining the group can provide a workaround.