What happens when you delete WhatsApp data - briefly?
When you delete WhatsApp data, your chat history and media are permanently removed from your device. This action does not affect the data stored on other users' devices or WhatsApp's servers; however, it frees up storage space on your own device.
What happens when you delete WhatsApp data - in detail?
When you delete WhatsApp data, several changes occur that affect both your device and the WhatsApp service itself.
Firstly, all local data stored on your device is permanently removed. This includes messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, and any other media shared through WhatsApp. Once deleted, this information cannot be recovered through conventional means, making it crucial to back up important data beforehand.
Secondly, deleting WhatsApp data impacts the functionality of the app on your device. All chat history is erased, meaning you will lose access to previous conversations. Any groups you were part of will no longer appear in your list, and you will need to be re-added if you wish to rejoin them. Furthermore, any settings or preferences you had configured within WhatsApp will be reset to default.
Thirdly, the deletion process affects WhatsApp's server storage. While WhatsApp encrypts messages end-to-end, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can read them, data stored on servers is also impacted. When you delete data from your device, WhatsApp marks these messages as deleted on its servers, freeing up space and preventing others from accessing this information.
However, it's important to note that deleting WhatsApp data does not remove all traces of your activity. Some metadata, such as the fact that you had an account or were part of certain groups, may still be stored on servers. Additionally, backups created before deletion will retain this information unless manually deleted from cloud storage services like Google Drive or iCloud.
In summary, deleting WhatsApp data results in the permanent loss of local messages and media, resets the app to its default settings, and marks data as deleted on WhatsApp's servers. To ensure a smooth experience, it is advisable to create regular backups and understand the implications before initiating the deletion process.