WhatsApp: How to Delete Messages Permanently
WhatsApp continues to improve over the years. While it was initially not possible to delete already sent messages, the function appeared in 2017. Initially, the app allowed only 7 minutes to delete an already sent message. Then the time limit was increased to one hour.
Since August 2022, Meta has announced several changes to its privacy policies. The withdrawal period is now two days. So you have 48 hours to "delete a message for everyone", and that's definitive. If you don't know how to do it, it's very simple.
WHATSAPP: DELETE MESSAGES THAT ARE TWO DAYS OLD
You would have understood that. For the method described below to work, the message(s) in question must be deleted less than 48 hours after it was sent.
- Open the conversation that contains the message you want to delete.
- Long press on the message. You can also select multiple messages after the first long press.
- Tap the delete icon at the top. It comes in the form of a basket. Next, click the Delete for Everyone button.
Deleted messages permanently disappear from your conversation history and conversation. If you are using WhatsApp for Android, the deleted photos will also disappear from the gallery. However, recipients who use WhatsApp for iOS can still see your media in the Photos app.
How do you delete messages just for you?
You can also delete messages only for yourself. So the recipient can continue to see them in their WhatsApp history, but not you. To do this:
- Open the conversation that contains the message you want to delete.
- Long press on the message. You can also select multiple messages.
- Tap the delete icon that looks like a trash can at the top. After that, click on Delete for me.