How to delete messages in WhatsApp from others - briefly?
Deleting messages in WhatsApp that have been sent by others is not possible due to the platform's privacy policies. This feature ensures that users cannot alter or remove content they did not send.
How to delete messages in WhatsApp from others - in detail?
Deleting messages in WhatsApp, whether sent by you or received from others, involves a few simple steps. However, it's important to note that while you can delete messages from your own device, you cannot directly delete messages from other people's devices. What you can control is whether the message disappears from your chat history and, in some cases, from both parties' chats if certain features are enabled.
Deleting Messages Sent by You
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where the message you want to delete is located.
- Select the Message: Tap and hold the message until it's highlighted in blue. You can select multiple messages if needed.
- Delete Option: At the top of the screen, tap on the trash can icon or the 'Delete' option that appears.
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm the deletion by tapping 'Delete for Me'. This will remove the message from your chat history but not from the recipient's device.
Using Delete for Everyone Feature
If you want to delete a message for everyone in the chat, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat with the message you want to delete.
- Select the Message: Tap and hold the message until it's highlighted in blue.
- Delete Option: At the top of the screen, tap on the trash can icon or the 'Delete' option that appears.
- Choose Delete for Everyone: Select 'Delete for Everyone'. This feature allows you to delete messages for all participants in a chat within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 0 seconds after sending. After this timeframe, you will only be able to delete the message for yourself.
Deleting Messages Received from Others
While you cannot directly delete messages received from others on their devices, you can manage how they appear in your chat history:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat where the message is located.
- Select the Message: Tap and hold the message until it's highlighted in blue.
- Delete Option: At the top of the screen, tap on the trash can icon or the 'Delete' option that appears.
- Confirm Deletion: Confirm the deletion by tapping 'Delete for Me'. This will remove the message from your chat history but not from the sender's device.
Disappearing Messages Feature
WhatsApp also offers a feature called "Disappearing Messages," which automatically deletes messages after a set time. To enable this feature:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the group or individual chat where you want to turn on disappearing messages.
- Tap on the Contact's Name: For an individual chat, tap on the contact name at the top of the screen. For a group chat, tap on the group subject.
- Turn On Disappearing Messages: Toggle on 'Disappearing Messages'. You can choose between 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days for messages to disappear from the chat.
Important Considerations
- Time Limit: The "Delete for Everyone" feature has a time limit of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 0 seconds after sending the message.
- Notification: Recipients may still see a notification saying that a message was deleted.
- Backup: Deleted messages will not be included in backups.
By following these steps, you can effectively manage and delete messages in WhatsApp, ensuring your chat history remains organized and clutter-free.