WhatsApp allows users to delete messages after they have been sent, removing them from the chat for both the sender and the recipient. This can be useful if you sent an incorrect or embarrassing message that you want to remove.
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When Can You Delete Messages
There is a time limit on deleting messages for everyone:
- On Android/iOS: You have up to 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending a message to delete it for everyone.
- On WhatsApp Web/Desktop: You have up to 68 minutes to delete a message for everyone after sending it.
Deleting Messages on Android and iOS
Follow these steps to delete a WhatsApp message for everyone on Android or iOS:
- Open the WhatsApp chat containing the message you want to delete
- Tap and hold on the message to select it
- Tap Delete
- Tap Delete for everyone to confirm
You’ll see “This message was deleted” in place of the deleted message.
Deleting Multiple Messages
To delete multiple chat messages at once:
- Tap and hold on a message to select it
- Tap additional messages to select more than one
- Tap Delete
- Tap Delete for everyone
All selected messages will be deleted.
Deleting Messages on WhatsApp Web/Desktop
To delete a message for everyone on WhatsApp Web or Desktop:
- Hover over the message and click the three dots menu
- Click Delete
- Click Delete for everyone
The message will be removed for you and the recipient.
Important Notes
- Recipients may still see message notifications and previews if they haven’t opened WhatsApp.
- You won’t get a notification if a message failed to delete.
- Media files may still be saved to the recipient’s device if they already viewed them.
Deleting Full Chats
You can also delete entire chat histories from your device while keeping them intact for other participants:
- Open WhatsApp and tap Chats
- Swipe left on a chat > Tap Delete chat > Delete chat again to confirm
This will only remove the chat from your device. Other participants in group or individual chats will still have the full history.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s delete for everyone feature allows fixing mistakes by removing messages for all chat participants. Just remember it’s only available for a limited time and other people may still see notifications or media before a message disappears. Deleting full chats only removes them from your device rather than others’ as well.
