If you delete WhatsApp messages, will they be saved - briefly?
If you delete WhatsApp messages, they are not saved on your device, but a copy of the message may remain on the recipient's device or in WhatsApp's backup system until it is overwritten by new data.
If you delete WhatsApp messages, will they be saved - in detail?
When it comes to deleting WhatsApp messages, the question of whether they are saved is a complex one, involving several factors and considerations. Firstly, it's important to distinguish between two types of message deletion: deletion from your device and deletion from WhatsApp servers.
If you delete a message from your device, it will no longer be visible on your end, but that does not necessarily mean the message is permanently removed or unsaved. The message data may still exist on WhatsApp's servers for a certain period. This is because WhatsApp, by default, stores messages and media on its servers until they are delivered to the recipient's device. Even after delivery, some metadata related to the message might be retained for operational purposes.
However, if you choose to delete messages from both your device and the chat itself using the "Delete for Everyone" feature, WhatsApp will attempt to remove the message from its servers as well. It is crucial to note that this feature only works within a specific time frame—one hour, eight minutes, and sixteen seconds after sending the message. If you exceed this window, the "Delete for Everyone" option will not be available, indicating that the message has likely already been delivered and cannot be recalled from the recipient's device or WhatsApp's servers.
Even with the "Delete for Everyone" feature successfully applied, there is no guarantee of complete removal from all devices or backups. Recipients may have seen the message before you deleted it, and they might still have it saved on their devices or in backups. Additionally, WhatsApp's terms of service state that while messages are end-to-end encrypted, the company does not guarantee the permanent deletion of data from its servers after a message is deleted.
In summary, while deleting WhatsApp messages can remove them from your device and possibly from WhatsApp's servers within a certain timeframe, there is no absolute assurance that they will be permanently unsaved across all platforms or backups. Understanding these nuances helps users manage their data more effectively and make informed decisions about message deletion.