What happens when you delete WhatsApp - briefly?
When you delete WhatsApp, your account is temporarily deactivated for 30 days, during which time your contacts can still see your profile photo and status updates. After this period, if you do not reactivate the app, your account is permanently deleted along with all associated data.
What happens when you delete WhatsApp - in detail?
When you decide to delete WhatsApp, several changes and processes occur that affect both your device and the data associated with your account. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what happens:
Firstly, deleting the WhatsApp application from your device removes all local data stored on your phone. This includes messages, photos, videos, and documents that you have exchanged through the app. It is important to note that this action does not delete any backups stored in cloud services such as iCloud or Google Drive. If you had enabled backup features, these data will remain available until you manually delete them from the respective cloud storage.
Secondly, your WhatsApp account itself is not immediately deleted upon removing the app. The account remains active for a period of 45 days before it gets permanently deleted by WhatsApp’s servers. During this grace period, you can reinstall the application and restore your account using the same phone number. If you do so within the 45-day window, all your messages and media will be restored from the cloud backup, provided one was made recently.
Thirdly, deleting WhatsApp impacts your visibility on the platform. Once the app is removed, your profile information such as display picture, status updates, and "last seen" time cease to be visible to other users. Your contacts will no longer see you online or be able to interact with you through the app until you reactivate your account.
Fourthly, group chats that you were part of are also affected. If you were an administrator of any groups, your role and privileges are removed upon deletion. Other members of the group will no longer see your name or profile picture associated with the group. In some cases, the group admin may choose to remove you from the group entirely if they deem it necessary.
Lastly, all WhatsApp-related notifications and alerts will cease once the app is deleted. This includes message notifications, call alerts, and any other interactive features that rely on the app being installed on your device. To regain these functionalities, you must reinstall the application and set up your account again.
In summary, deleting WhatsApp from your device has significant implications for both local data storage and cloud backups. It is crucial to understand the 45-day grace period during which you can restore your account before it gets permanently deleted. This knowledge allows users to make informed decisions about their digital presence and data management on the platform.