What happens if you delete a message in WhatsApp - briefly?
When you delete a message in WhatsApp, it is permanently removed from your device and cannot be retrieved using standard methods. However, the message may still be visible on the recipient's device if they have not deleted it or if they have enabled certain settings that allow them to view messages even after deletion.
What happens if you delete a message in WhatsApp - in detail?
When you delete a message in WhatsApp, several actions occur behind the scenes to ensure the message is permanently removed from both your device and the recipient's device. Here's a detailed breakdown of what happens:
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Message Deletion Request: Once you tap on the "Delete for Me" or "Delete for Everyone" option (depending on whether you want to delete the message only from your device or from both yours and the recipient's), WhatsApp sends a deletion request to its servers. This request contains information about the message, such as its unique identifier and timestamp.
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Message Status Update: Before the message is actually deleted, WhatsApp updates the message status in its database. This status change indicates that the message is scheduled for deletion. During this brief period, the message still exists on both devices but is flagged for removal.
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Server Confirmation: The WhatsApp server receives the deletion request and processes it. If the request is valid (i.e., the message exists and the user has permission to delete it), the server sends a confirmation back to your device, acknowledging that the deletion process has begun.
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Local Deletion: Upon receiving the confirmation from the server, your device initiates the local deletion of the message. This involves removing the message data from your device's storage and updating the chat history to reflect the change. At this point, you can no longer see the deleted message on your end.
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Recipient Notification: If you chose "Delete for Everyone," WhatsApp also sends a notification to the recipient(s) of the message, informing them that you have deleted a message. This notification is visible in the chat as "This message was deleted."
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Recipient's Device Deletion: The recipients' devices receive the deletion notification and initiate their own local deletion process. Similar to your device, they remove the message data from their storage and update the chat history accordingly. If the recipient has not yet seen the message (indicated by the unread status), it is also removed from the notification area.
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Database Update: Lastly, WhatsApp updates its database to reflect that the message has been deleted. This final step ensures that the message is permanently removed and cannot be recovered through WhatsApp's servers. However, it is important to note that while WhatsApp strives to delete messages as soon as possible, there may be brief delays due to network conditions or other factors.
In summary, deleting a message in WhatsApp involves a coordinated effort between your device, the recipient's device(s), and WhatsApp's servers to ensure that the message is permanently removed from all parties involved.