How to delete old messages from all users in WhatsApp?

How to delete old messages from all users in WhatsApp - briefly?

To delete old messages from all users in WhatsApp, you can use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within 1 hour and 8 minutes of sending a message. However, this action will only remove the messages from both your and the recipient's phones, not from their backups or any other storage locations.

How to delete old messages from all users in WhatsApp - in detail?

Deleting old messages from all users in WhatsApp can be a necessary task for maintaining privacy, freeing up storage space, or simply keeping the conversation tidy. However, it's important to note that WhatsApp does not offer a built-in feature to delete messages from other users' devices directly. Nevertheless, there are several strategies you can employ to manage and remove old messages effectively:

1. Delete Messages for Yourself:

   • Open the chat or group where you want to delete messages.
   • Select the message(s) you wish to delete by long-pressing on a single message or tapping on multiple messages.
   • Tap the "delete" icon (trash can) at the top of your screen.
   • Confirm the deletion by selecting "Delete for me". This action will remove the selected messages from your device but not from the recipient's device.

2. Use the "Delete for Everyone" Feature:

   • For individual messages, you can use the "Delete for everyone" feature.
   • Open the chat containing the message(s) you want to delete.
   • Long-press on the message you wish to delete until a menu appears.
   • Tap the "delete" icon (trash can).
   • Select "Delete for everyone". This will remove the message from both your device and the recipient's device, provided they haven’t read it yet or if their phone is offline at the time of deletion.

3. Archive Old Chats:

   • While this doesn't delete messages, archiving old chats can help you declutter your main chat list and keep important conversations easily accessible.
   • Swipe left on a chat to reveal the options menu.
   • Tap "Archive". Archived chats will be moved to the bottom of your chat list under the "Archived Chats" section.

4. Third-Party Applications:

   • There are third-party applications available that claim to delete messages from both sender and recipient devices, but these methods are often unreliable and may violate WhatsApp's terms of service. Use such applications with caution and at your own risk.

5. Regular Backups:

   • Regularly backup your chats to prevent loss of important data while you manage and delete old messages.
   • Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup". Follow the prompts to back up your chats to Google Drive or iCloud, depending on your device.

6. Clear Chat History:

   • If you want to remove all messages from a specific chat, you can clear the entire chat history.
   • Open the chat you want to delete.
   • Tap on the three-dot menu (More options) at the top right corner.
   • Select "More" > "Clear Chat". Confirm your action by tapping "Clear". This will delete all messages in the chat for you but not for other participants.