If you delete a chat in WhatsApp, is it deleted - briefly?
Deleting a chat in WhatsApp does not permanently remove the conversation from both devices involved. The chat will be deleted only on your device, while the recipient's copy remains intact.
If you delete a chat in WhatsApp, is it deleted - in detail?
When you delete a chat in WhatsApp, the process involves several steps and considerations that determine whether the chat is truly removed from both your device and the servers.
Firstly, it's important to distinguish between deleting a chat and archiving it. Archiving a chat simply removes it from your main chat list but keeps all messages intact. Deleting a chat, on the other hand, involves more significant actions.
When you delete a chat in WhatsApp, the following happens:
- Local Deletion: The chat is immediately removed from your device's local storage. This means that you will no longer see the messages or media associated with that chat on your phone.
- Server Notification: WhatsApp servers are notified of the deletion. However, it's crucial to note that this notification does not automatically delete the chat from the servers. The server retains a record of the message until both parties (sender and receiver) have deleted their copies or the messages have expired due to settings like "disappearing messages."
- Backups: If you have enabled backups, whether on Google Drive for Android users or iCloud for iPhone users, the chat history might still be stored in those backup locations. Deleting a chat from your device does not automatically delete it from these backups. To ensure complete removal, you would need to delete the backup as well.
- Group Chats: In group chats, deleting a chat only removes it from your device. Other members of the group will still have access to the chat history unless they individually delete the chat from their devices.
- Media Files: Deleting a chat does not remove any media files (like photos or videos) that you may have saved to your device's gallery. You would need to manually delete these files if you want them removed entirely.
In summary, while deleting a chat in WhatsApp removes it from your local device and notifies the servers, it does not guarantee complete removal unless additional steps are taken, such as managing backups and deleting media files. For absolute certainty that a chat is deleted, both parties involved in the conversation should delete their copies of the chat, and any relevant backup data should be managed accordingly.