How to recall a message on WhatsApp - briefly?
To recall a message on WhatsApp, tap and hold the message you want to delete. Then, select "Delete for me" or "Delete for everyone".
How to recall a message on WhatsApp - in detail?
Recalling a message on WhatsApp is a feature that allows users to delete messages from both their own device and the recipient's device within a specific time frame. This functionality can be particularly useful if you realize you’ve sent an incorrect or embarrassing message, or if you simply want to remove a message for privacy reasons. Below are the detailed steps to recall a message on WhatsApp:
Firstly, it is crucial to understand that WhatsApp offers two types of deletion options: "Delete for Me" and "Delete for Everyone." The "Delete for Me" option only removes the message from your device, while the "Delete for Everyone" option allows you to delete the message from both your and the recipient's devices.
Steps to Recall a Message on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your mobile device.
- Navigate to the Chat: Go to the chat where you sent the message you wish to delete. You can find this by scrolling through your list of chats or searching for the contact's name.
- Locate the Message: Scroll through the conversation until you find the message you want to recall.
- Select the Message: Tap and hold on the specific message you wish to delete. This will highlight it and bring up a menu with several options.
- Choose "Delete for Everyone": In the menu that appears, select the "Delete for Everyone" option. Note that this option is only available within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending the message. If the time has passed, you will not see this option, and the message can only be deleted from your device.
- Confirm Deletion: WhatsApp will prompt a confirmation message asking if you are sure you want to delete the message for everyone. Confirm your decision by tapping "Delete."
- Verify Deletion: Once the deletion is successful, both you and the recipient(s) will see a notification stating that the message was deleted. The content of the message will be replaced with text indicating that it has been recalled.
Important Considerations:
- Time Limit: As mentioned earlier, the "Delete for Everyone" option is only available within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message. After this time frame, the message can only be deleted from your device.
- Notifications: Recipients may still see a notification preview of the recalled message on their home screen or lock screen if they have notifications enabled. However, once they open WhatsApp, the actual content of the message will be replaced with the "This message was deleted" notice.
- Group Chats: The recall functionality works similarly in group chats. All participants in the group chat will see that a message has been recalled.
By following these steps, you can effectively recall a message on WhatsApp and maintain control over your communication history.