If I delete a message from a WhatsApp group, will it be deleted for all participants?

If I delete a message from a WhatsApp group, will it be deleted for all participants - briefly?

No, deleting a message in a WhatsApp group only removes it from your own view and does not affect the messages seen by other participants.

If I delete a message from a WhatsApp group, will it be deleted for all participants - in detail?

When you delete a message from a WhatsApp group, the behavior of that deletion depends on several factors. Firstly, let's clarify the two types of message deletion available in WhatsApp:

  1. Delete for Me: This option removes the message from your device only. Other participants in the group will still see the message in their chat history. Essentially, this action is local and does not affect other users' devices.

  2. Delete for Everyone: This feature allows you to delete a message for all participants in the group. However, there are specific conditions and time limitations associated with it:

    • The message can be deleted within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending. After this period, the "Delete for Everyone" option will no longer be available.
    • All recipients must have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on their devices to receive the deletion notification.
    • If the message has been quoted or forwarded, it cannot be deleted using the "Delete for Everyone" feature.

It is also crucial to note that even if you successfully delete a message for everyone, there are still potential traces of the message:

  • Notifications: Recipients might have seen the message notification on their devices before opening WhatsApp.
  • Backup: The deleted message could still be present in backups, depending on when the backup was created.
  • Forwarding: If the message was forwarded to other chats or groups before deletion, it will remain in those conversations.

In summary, while the "Delete for Everyone" feature can remove a message from all participants' chat histories, it is not foolproof and certain conditions must be met. It is always advisable to be cautious with messages that are intended to be private or confidential.