How to delete read messages in WhatsApp?

How to delete read messages in WhatsApp - briefly?

As of now, WhatsApp does not provide a built-in feature to delete read messages for both the sender and receiver. However, you can choose to delete messages only from your device by selecting the message and tapping on "Delete for me".

How to delete read messages in WhatsApp - in detail?

Deleting read messages in WhatsApp can be a useful feature, particularly when you want to free up space or remove unwanted conversations. However, it's important to note that once a message is marked as "read," the recipient will still have seen it, and deleting it on your end won't alter this fact. Here are some detailed steps and considerations for deleting read messages in WhatsApp:

1. Deleting Individual Messages:

   • Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat or group where you want to delete a message.
   • Long press on the message you wish to delete until it becomes highlighted.
   • Tap on the trash can icon (Delete) at the top of your screen.
   • Confirm by tapping "Delete for Me" if you only want to remove the message from your device, or "Delete for Everyone" if the feature is available and you wish to delete it from both sender's and recipient's devices. Note that the "Delete for Everyone" option is only available for a short period after sending the message.

2. Deleting Entire Conversations:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat or group you wish to delete.
   • Tap on the three dots (More options) at the top right corner of your screen.
   • Select "Delete chat" from the dropdown menu.
   • Confirm by tapping "Delete." This will remove the entire conversation from your device, but it won't delete the messages from the recipient's device or server.

3. Considerations and Limitations:

   • The "Delete for Everyone" feature is only available for a short time after sending a message (less than an hour). After this period, you can only delete messages for yourself.
   • Deleting messages from your device does not remove them from the recipient's device or WhatsApp servers.
   • If you're part of a group chat and delete a message, other participants may still see it unless they also delete it.
   • Be cautious when deleting messages, as once deleted, there is no way to recover them unless the recipient has a backup.

4. Backup and Storage:

   • Regularly backing up your chats can help you retain important conversations even if you decide to delete some messages.
   • Deleting read messages can help manage storage space on your device, especially if you have many media files or long conversations.

By following these steps and being aware of the limitations, you can effectively manage and delete read messages in WhatsApp, ensuring that your chat history remains organized and clutter-free.