When can I delete messages in WhatsApp for both parties - briefly?
You can delete messages in WhatsApp for both parties within one hour of sending the message. This feature allows users to remove messages from their own devices as well as the recipients' devices during this timeframe.
When can I delete messages in WhatsApp for both parties - in detail?
When it comes to deleting messages in WhatsApp so that they disappear from both parties' chats, there are specific conditions and timeframes you should be aware of.
Firstly, let’s clarify the types of deletion available. There are two main options: "Delete for Me" and "Delete for Everyone." The latter is what we are focusing on here, as it removes the message from both the sender's and the recipient's chats.
The critical window during which you can delete a message for everyone is within seven minutes of sending it. WhatsApp provides this short timeframe to allow users to correct mistakes or remove unwanted messages promptly. After seven minutes, the "Delete for Everyone" option becomes unavailable, and you will only be able to delete the message from your own chat using the "Delete for Me" feature.
It’s essential to note that even if you successfully delete a message within the seven-minute window, there is no guarantee that the recipient hasn't already seen or read it. WhatsApp notifies recipients when a message has been deleted by displaying "This message was deleted." However, this notification does not reveal the content of the original message.
Moreover, if a recipient has enabled Read Receipts (a feature that shows when a message has been read), they might still have seen your message before you deleted it. In such cases, while the message is removed from both chats, the fact that it was read cannot be undone.
In summary, to delete messages in WhatsApp for both parties, you must do so within seven minutes of sending the message. After this timeframe, the option to delete for everyone becomes unavailable, and only the sender can remove the message from their chat.