How to permanently delete a message in WhatsApp so that it cannot be recovered - briefly?
To permanently delete a message in WhatsApp so that it cannot be recovered, you must use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within seven minutes of sending the message. This ensures that the message is removed from both your and the recipient's devices, making recovery impossible.
How to permanently delete a message in WhatsApp so that it cannot be recovered - in detail?
Permanently deleting a message in WhatsApp so that it cannot be recovered is a multi-step process that requires attention to detail. The primary objective is to ensure that the message is not only removed from your device but also from WhatsApp's servers, where backups and archives are stored. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to achieve this:
Firstly, it's essential to understand that WhatsApp automatically saves messages to your phone's storage and cloud backup services like Google Drive or iCloud. To permanently delete a message, you need to eliminate it from both locations.
Step 1: Delete the Message from Your Device
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on your device.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where the message is located.
- Select the Message: Long-press on the message you wish to delete until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
- Delete for Me: Tap on the 'Delete' icon and select 'Delete for me'. This action removes the message from your device but not from the recipient’s device or WhatsApp servers.
Step 2: Delete the Message from the Recipient's Device (If Possible)
This step is optional and depends on whether you can access the recipient's device. If you have physical access, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application on the recipient’s device.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where the message is located.
- Select the Message: Long-press on the message until a menu appears at the top of the screen.
- Delete for Everyone: Tap on the 'Delete' icon and select 'Delete for everyone'. This action removes the message from both your device and the recipient’s device but does not delete it from WhatsApp servers.
Step 3: Delete Backups from Cloud Storage
- Access Your Cloud Storage: Go to Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iOS).
- Locate WhatsApp Backup: Find the WhatsApp backup folder. It is usually named 'WhatsApp' and includes a timestamp.
- Delete Backups: Manually delete the backup folders containing the messages you want to permanently remove. Note that this will also delete other chat history and media stored in those backups.
Step 4: Request for Account Deletion (Extreme Measure)
If you want to ensure no trace of the message remains, you can request WhatsApp to delete your account. This is an extreme measure as it will erase all your chats and data from WhatsApp’s servers.
- Open Settings: In WhatsApp, go to 'Settings'.
- Account Preferences: Navigate to ‘Account’.
- Delete My Account: Tap on 'Delete my account' and follow the prompts. This action will permanently delete your account and all associated data from WhatsApp’s servers.
Important Considerations
- Time Limit for Deletion: The 'Delete for everyone' feature is only available for a short period after sending the message (within 7 minutes for Android, 1 hour 8 minutes for iOS). After this timeframe, you cannot use this option.
- Data Retention Policies: WhatsApp retains certain data even after account deletion due to legal and regulatory requirements. However, personal messages are generally removed from their servers.
- Third-Party Backups: Ensure that no third-party backup services have stored copies of your messages.
By following these detailed steps, you can effectively delete a message in WhatsApp so that it cannot be recovered, providing a high degree of privacy and security for sensitive information.