How to permanently delete a contact from WhatsApp?

How to permanently delete a contact from WhatsApp - briefly?

To permanently delete a contact from WhatsApp, follow these steps:

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the "Contacts" tab.
2. Tap and hold on the contact you wish to delete, then select "Delete."

How to permanently delete a contact from WhatsApp - in detail?

Permanently deleting a contact from WhatsApp involves several steps, ensuring that the contact is removed from both your device and WhatsApp's servers. Here’s a detailed guide on how to accomplish this:

1. Backup Your Chats: Before you begin, it’s crucial to back up your chats. This step ensures that you don’t lose any important conversations during the process.

   • Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
   • Navigate to Chats > Chat Backup.
   • Tap on Backup to save your chat history to Google Drive or iCloud.

2. Delete the Contact from Your Phone: Removing a contact from your phone’s address book is the first step in permanently deleting them from WhatsApp.

   • Open your phone’s contacts app.
   • Find and select the contact you want to delete.
   • Tap on Edit or More (depending on your device) and then choose Delete.

3. Block the Contact in WhatsApp: Blocking a contact ensures that they can no longer send you messages, which is necessary for permanently deleting them from WhatsApp.

   • Open WhatsApp and go to the chat with the contact you want to delete.
   • Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the screen.
   • Select Block. Confirm that you want to block this contact.

4. Delete the Chat: After blocking the contact, the next step is to delete the chat history associated with them.

   • Go back to the chat with the blocked contact.
   • Tap on the three dots (⋮) again and select More.
   • Choose Clear chat. Confirm that you want to delete the chat history.

5. Delete Backup Files: To ensure that all traces of the contact are removed, it’s essential to delete any backup files associated with them.

   • Go to your phone’s settings and navigate to Storage or Files.
   • Find and open WhatsApp.
   • Look for any folders related to backups and delete any files associated with the contact you want to remove.

6. Reinstall WhatsApp (Optional but Recommended): For a thorough cleanup, consider reinstalling WhatsApp. This step ensures that any cached data is removed.

   • Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
   • Restart your phone.
   • Download and install the latest version of WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
   • During the setup process, restore your chat history from the backup you created earlier.

By following these steps, you can permanently delete a contact from WhatsApp, ensuring that all traces of their presence are removed from both your device and WhatsApp’s servers.