How to delete WhatsApp messages for all users?

How to delete WhatsApp messages for all users - briefly?

To delete WhatsApp messages for all users in a group chat, the sender must use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within 1 hour and 8 minutes of sending the message. This ensures that the message is removed from both the sender's and recipients' devices.

How to delete WhatsApp messages for all users - in detail?

Deleting WhatsApp messages for all users can be a critical task in various scenarios, such as rectifying an error or ensuring privacy. While WhatsApp does not offer a direct way to delete messages from everyone's devices simultaneously, there are some strategies you can employ:

1. Delete for Everyone (within 1 hour 8 minutes and 16 seconds): If you realize immediately after sending that the message needs to be deleted, WhatsApp provides an option called "Delete for Everyone." This feature allows you to delete a message from both your device and the recipient's device within a specific timeframe. Here’s how:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat containing the message you want to delete.
   • Tap and hold on the message until the options menu appears.
   • Select "Delete" from the menu, then tap "Delete for Everyone."

2. Revoke Message Delivery (within 1 hour 8 minutes and 16 seconds): Similar to deleting a message, you can also revoke its delivery status within the same timeframe:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat containing the message you want to delete.
   • Tap and hold on the message until the options menu appears.
   • Select "Revoke" from the menu. This will remove the message from both your device and the recipient's device, but it will not notify the recipient that a message was deleted.

3. Deleting Messages on Your Device: While this does not delete messages from other users’ devices, it is important to note that deleting a message on your device will remove it from your chat history:

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat containing the message you want to delete.
   • Tap and hold on the message until the options menu appears.
   • Select "Delete" from the menu, then tap "Delete for Me."

4. Backup and Restore: If you need to delete messages that are older than the 1 hour 8 minutes and 16 seconds window, you can use a backup and restore method:

   • First, create a backup of your WhatsApp data by going to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
   • Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
   • Reinstall WhatsApp and restore your chat history from the backup.
   • During the restoration process, you can choose which messages to keep or delete.
5. Third-Party Applications: There are third-party applications that claim to be able to delete WhatsApp messages for all users. However, it is crucial to exercise caution when using such tools, as they may violate WhatsApp's terms of service and potentially compromise your privacy and security.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage the deletion of WhatsApp messages across different devices, ensuring that sensitive information remains private and secure.