WhatsApp takes months of changes. For weeks, users of the most popular messaging application have been waiting for one of the most anticipated changes: being able to delete messages that we have already sent via WhatsApp. Now, This feature is now official y We can cancel messages sent on WhatsApp.
One of the most anticipated features has now officially arrived on the messaging app. It was expected, thanks to rumors, but no one knew when it would arrive or what it would be like. Now, We already have confirmation. And nothing will happen if we make a mistake while writing or regret sending something.
The new function of deleting sent messages It is known in the interface as Delete for all (In its initial stage, it was popularly known as "cancel"). We can send messages in app groups or individual chats and delete them from our phone and the sender's if we regret what we said or sent them to the wrong conversation (something quite common).
We will be able to delete the message for a period of approximately two days. From the time it is sent (WhatsApp doesn't specify the exact time on its website; in practice it's usually around 2 days and 12 hours). Once that time has passed, we will no longer be able to delete it for everyone using the usual methods.
Deleting them, as we've seen thanks to screenshots from WABetaInfo, is very simple. Just press and hold the message you want to delete, or the various messages in the conversation, and an option will appear called DeleteBy clicking on it we will be able to choose Delete for all (also if it includes photos or videos), both on Android and iOS.
The message won't simply disappear from the conversation window; the sender will see that you've deleted it. A marker will indicate this. "This message has been deleted"so that it is known that something was sent but it was decided to delete it, without revealing the original content.
The feature is already listed on the messaging app's FAQ page. To delete messages for everyone, you need to... both we and the recipient have the latest version installed. of the app, regardless of the operating system.
What exactly changes with Delete for Everyone?
The option Delete for all It is used to remove a message from both ends of the conversation (Your chat and the recipient's chat). Applies to text, photos, videos, audio, voice notes, documents and stickersEven if you manage to delete it, the others will see the deletion indicator.
Initially, the window of time was only a few minutes, and it was later extended. Currently, WhatsApp indicates a margin of "around 2 days"If the message displays a clock iconIf it hasn't left your device yet, you can delete it without the other user ever receiving it.
How to delete messages on Android, iPhone, Web and Windows app
Android
- Open WhatsApp and enter the chat that contains the message.
- Press and hold the message (you can select multiple messages).
- Tap the icon paper bin > choose Delete for all o Delete for me.
iPhone
- Open the chat, press and hold the message, and choose Delete.
- Select one or more and press Delete > Delete for everyone o Delete for me.
WhatsApp Web and Windows app
- Open WhatsApp Web or the desktop app.
- Hover your cursor over the message and press the options arrow.
- Choose Delete message and select For all o For me.
Important announcement: if you choose Delete for me by mistake, will not be able change it later to Delete for allbecause you will no longer have the message on your device.
Delete for me vs. Delete for everyone: key differences
- Delete for me: Delete the message only from your phone. Everyone else will still be able to see it.
- Delete for everyone: Remove the content from all participants' devices within the time limit, displaying "This message was deleted".
In both cases, The recipients may have read The message before you delete it (even from notifications). If it's critical, act quickly.
Delete messages as a group administrator
Los group administrators can delete messages from any member To maintain order and moderate content. When doing so, the admin will see "You deleted this message" and everyone else will see "An admin, [name], deleted this message."
- Open the group and press and hold the message to moderate.
- Balance Delete > Delete for all and confirm.
It also works with multimedia filesIf a user reoffends, you can kick it out of the group.
Empty chats and delete messages in bulk
If what you want is clear a complete chat on your device (without affecting others):
- Open WhatsApp > enter chat > ​​menu > More > empty chat.
- Choose whether to delete featured messages y if delete files from that chat.
In the Windows app, open the conversation, tap the three points and choose Empty messagesconfirming the options.
Manage storage: delete photos, videos, and documents
To free up space without breaking chats:
- WhatsApp > Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage.
- Review elements forwarded many times and more than 5 MB > select and delete.
- You can also clean chat by chat from this panel.
Using the file explorer, manually delete folders such as WhatsApp Images, Video, Animated Gifs, Audio, Documents, Stickers, after doing a Backup If you need it. There are specific cleaning apps, but Use only reliable tools.
Backups: Delete the Google Drive backup
- Sign in Drive.google.com > menu > Backups.
- Finds WhatsApp, press the three points > Delete backup.
- To disable automatic backup: WhatsApp Settings > Cat > Backup > Google Drive > Never.
If you delete Facts & figures To use WhatsApp on Android (from System Settings), you will need to log in again and reconfigure the app.
Temporary messages (they delete themselves)
You can activate disappearing messages automatically after 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days:
- Open the chat > ​​tap the name > Temporary messages > Choose duration.
- In groups, administrators can set the default duration when creating them or from the group info.
The function not retroactiveThis affects messages sent after it's activated. To deactivate it, repeat the process and choose deactivated.
Other options to avoid deleting: archiving and blocking chats
If you're looking for hide and not delete:
- Archived chats: Move conversations to Archived and mute notifications without deleting content.
- Blocked chats: protects with PIN or biometrics and access it from the hidden "blocked chats" section.
Tricks, limits, and warnings you should know
- Time window: It's broad, but finite. After the deadline, you'll only be able to Delete for me.
- Updated versions: so that the deletion affects everyone, all participants They must have WhatsApp updated.
- Prior readings: a message may have been previewed from notifications even if the blue ticks are not marked.
- Multimedia on iPhone: photos or videos can to be stored in the recipient's Gallery even if you delete the message.
- No confirmation of failure: If the deletion does not apply to someone, You will not receive a notificationWait to see the text "message deleted".
- Trick to change date and airplane mode: Some try Turn back the time to delete after the deadline. It's not reliable. and may not work due to server checks.
- Edit messages: In addition to deleting, WhatsApp allows edit a message for a limited time. Useful if you only want to fix a bug without deleting it.
The tool Delete for all It is a great ally for correcting errors and avoiding misunderstandings, as long as you act in time and take into account its limitations, version requirements and the visible trace of "deleted message" that will remain in the chat.
