What happens to my data if I delete WhatsApp - briefly?
When you delete the WhatsApp app from your device, your messages and media remain stored on the server for up to 30 days after deletion. After this period, all data associated with your account is permanently deleted.
What happens to my data if I delete WhatsApp - in detail?
When you decide to delete WhatsApp, several processes occur regarding your data. Firstly, it's important to understand that deleting the app does not automatically erase all associated data from WhatsApp servers or your device.
Upon deletion of the app, your messages and media remain stored on WhatsApp's servers. This includes text messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, and other shared content. The data is retained to facilitate future reinstallations and ensure a seamless user experience if you decide to use the service again.
However, if you choose to delete your account entirely from WhatsApp's servers, the process becomes more comprehensive. When you initiate an account deletion request, WhatsApp begins removing your data from its servers within 30 days of receiving the request. This includes all messages and media shared through the app. It is important to note that during this period, you can still cancel the deletion request if you change your mind.
In addition to server-side data, WhatsApp also allows users to export their chat history before deleting the account. This feature enables you to save a copy of your messages and media on your device or cloud storage, ensuring that you have a backup of your conversations even after the app is deleted.
It's crucial to understand that while WhatsApp does its best to remove user data from its servers, complete deletion may not be instantaneous due to technical reasons. Some residual data might remain in their systems for a period, though it becomes inaccessible and cannot be attributed back to your account after the 30-day window.
Lastly, deleting WhatsApp does not affect data stored on other platforms or services where you may have shared content through WhatsApp. For instance, if you shared a photo from another app like Instagram or Google Photos, those copies will remain unaffected by the deletion of your WhatsApp account.
In summary, when you delete WhatsApp, your data remains on the servers for future use unless you specifically request account deletion. Even then, complete removal may take up to 30 days, and some residual data might persist temporarily. Exporting chat history before deletion ensures you have a local backup of your conversations.