How to delete messages in WhatsApp - briefly?
To delete messages in WhatsApp on an individual or group chat, simply long-press the message you want to remove and select the trash can icon that appears at the top of your screen. For a more permanent deletion option, tap on "Delete for Everyone" if it's available within the first hour of sending the message.
How to delete messages in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleting messages on WhatsApp can be a straightforward process, whether you're doing it for one-on-one conversations or group chats. Here’s a detailed guide to help you efficiently manage your message history:
For Individual Chats:
- Open the Chat: Launch WhatsApp and navigate to the chat where you want to delete messages.
- Select Messages: Long-press on a message until it is highlighted. You can then tap on other messages to select them as well.
- Delete Option: Once selected, tap on the trash icon (?) at the top of your screen.
- Confirm Deletion: A prompt will appear asking if you want to delete the selected messages. Confirm by tapping "Delete".
For Group Chats:
- Open the Chat: Go to the group chat where you want to delete messages.
- Select Messages: Similar to individual chats, long-press on a message until it is highlighted and then tap on other messages to select them.
- Delete Option: Tap on the trash icon (?) at the top of your screen.
- Confirm Deletion: You will see a prompt asking if you want to delete the selected messages. Confirm by tapping "Delete".
Important Notes:
- Time Limit: For both individual and group chats, you have about 13 hours (8640 seconds) from the time of receiving or sending a message to delete it before the deletion option expires.
- Visible Status: Deleted messages will display a "This message was deleted" placeholder in the chat for all participants.
- Backup Consideration: If you have WhatsApp backups enabled, deleted messages might still be present in your backup files until the next backup overwrites them.
Additional Tips:
- Clear Chat History: If you want to delete all messages from a specific chat, go to "More options" (three dots at the top right) and select "Clear chat". This will remove all messages from both your phone and the recipient's phone.
- Delete for Everyone: When deleting messages, make sure to use the "Delete for everyone" option if available. This ensures that the message is removed from the recipients’ devices as well.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and delete messages on WhatsApp, keeping your chats clean and organized.