How to delete read messages in WhatsApp for myself?

How to delete read messages in WhatsApp for myself - briefly?

To delete read messages in WhatsApp for yourself, you can use the "Delete for me" option. Simply select the message(s) you want to delete, tap on the three dots (...) at the top of your screen, and choose "Delete for me". This will remove the message from your device only, without affecting other participants in the conversation.

How to delete read messages in WhatsApp for myself - in detail?

Deleting read messages in WhatsApp can be useful when you want to free up storage space or remove sensitive information from your device. However, it's important to note that once a message is marked as read, the recipient will still see it unless they also delete it. Here are detailed steps on how to delete read messages in WhatsApp for yourself:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Start by launching the WhatsApp application on your device. Ensure you have the latest version of the app installed to access all available features.
  2. Navigate to Chats: Once in the app, go to the 'Chats' section where you can see a list of your conversations.
  3. Select the Chat: Choose the chat from which you want to delete read messages. This could be an individual chat or a group chat.
  4. Long Press on a Message: To select a message, long press on it until a menu appears at the top of the screen with options such as 'Reply', 'Star', 'Delete', and 'More'.
  5. Select Multiple Messages (Optional): If you want to delete multiple messages, tap on the circle icon next to each message you wish to select. Alternatively, you can tap on 'Select All' at the top of the screen to choose all messages in the chat.
  6. Delete the Message(s): After selecting the desired messages, tap on the 'Delete' icon (represented by a trash can). Confirm your action by tapping 'Delete for Me' or 'Delete for Everyone' depending on whether you want to delete the message only from your device or from both your and the recipient's devices.
  7. Confirmation: WhatsApp will ask for confirmation before permanently deleting the messages. Tap 'OK' to proceed with the deletion.
  8. Verify Deletion: Go back to the chat and verify that the selected messages have been deleted. You can also check your device storage to ensure that the storage space has been freed up.

It's crucial to remember that while you can delete read messages from your device, the recipient will still have a record of those messages unless they also choose to delete them. Additionally, if you select 'Delete for Everyone', all participants in the chat will see a notification indicating that a message was deleted.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and remove read messages from your WhatsApp chats, ensuring your device remains clutter-free and your personal information stays protected.