If I clear a chat in WhatsApp, will the messages be deleted - briefly?
If you clear a chat in WhatsApp, it will delete the messages from your device but not from the recipient's device or the server. However, the messages will still be available in the recipient's chat history unless they also clear their chat.
If I clear a chat in WhatsApp, will the messages be deleted - in detail?
If you choose to clear a chat in WhatsApp, it is important to understand the implications of this action. The term "clear chat" refers to the process of deleting all messages within a specific chat conversation on your device. This action does not affect the messages on the server or on other users' devices; it only removes them from your local storage.
When you clear a chat, WhatsApp will delete all the messages and media files associated with that particular conversation from your phone. However, this does not mean that the messages are permanently erased from existence. The messages remain intact in the cloud backup if you have enabled this feature, and they can still be accessed by other participants in the chat who have not cleared their chats.
It is also crucial to note that clearing a chat will not free up storage space on your device unless you take additional steps. WhatsApp stores media files such as photos, videos, and documents in a separate folder on your phone. To reclaim this space, you need to manually delete the media from the designated folders or use the "Storage Usage" feature within the app to manage and clear unnecessary data.
In summary, while clearing a chat in WhatsApp will remove messages from your local device, it does not delete them permanently or from other users' devices. To effectively manage storage and ensure privacy, consider using the app's built-in tools for deleting media files and managing backups.