How to delete only text messages in WhatsApp?

How to delete only text messages in WhatsApp - briefly?

To delete only text messages in WhatsApp, users need to follow these steps:

1. Open the chat where the message is located.
2. Long-press on the text message you want to delete and select "Delete for me" or "Delete for everyone," depending on your preferences.

How to delete only text messages in WhatsApp - in detail?

Deleting only text messages in WhatsApp can be a nuanced task, as the platform does not provide a direct way to selectively remove text messages without affecting other media types such as images or videos within the same chat. However, there are some workarounds and strategies that users can employ to achieve this goal.

Firstly, it is essential to understand that WhatsApp treats all messages in a chat as a single entity. This means that deleting any message will result in the entire chat being removed from both the sender's and recipient's devices. To work around this limitation, users can follow these steps:

1. Backup Your Chats: Before proceeding with any deletion, it is crucial to back up your WhatsApp chats. This ensures that you do not lose important data permanently. You can back up your chats on both Android and iOS devices by going to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.

2. Delete Individual Messages: If you want to delete specific text messages, you will need to manually select and delete them one by one. This process can be time-consuming but ensures that only the desired messages are removed. Here’s how to do it:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat containing the messages you wish to delete.
   • Long press on a text message until it is selected.
   • Tap on the trash can icon at the top of the screen to delete the selected message.
   • Repeat this process for each message you want to remove.

3. Clear Chat History: If you wish to delete all text messages in a specific chat, you can use the "Clear Chat" feature. This will remove all messages (text, images, videos) from that particular conversation. Note that this action cannot be undone:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat you want to clear.
   • Tap on the three dots (menu icon) in the top right corner of the screen.
   • Select "More" > "Clear Chat."
   • Confirm your decision by tapping "Clear" again.
4. Use Third-Party Apps: For more advanced users, third-party apps can offer additional functionality to manage WhatsApp messages. These apps allow for selective deletion of text messages without affecting other types of media. However, it is important to use such apps cautiously and ensure they come from reputable sources to avoid security risks.

In conclusion, while WhatsApp does not provide a built-in feature to delete only text messages directly, users can employ manual selection, backups, or third-party applications to achieve this goal. It is always recommended to back up your chats before performing any deletions to prevent the loss of important data.