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How do I delete WhatsApp messages for everyone?

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WhatsApp is now a common medium for contacting anyone. As a result, many people engage in plenty of chats with their friends. We all know that whatever messages or media we store on our phones directly impacts their storage. Despite this, many people delete messages they do not want. However, WhatsApp has undergone many updates in the last few years, confusing users.

Meanwhile, deleting WhatsApp messages is a relatively easy-and-fast rule. However, users want to know a few things. What is the procedure to delete old messages for up to seven days? What is the best way to delete messages on Android and iOS? The many questions we received prompted us to build this guide, which provides all the necessary instructions for deleting WhatsApp messages.

How do I delete WhatsApp messages for everyone?

Since entering the global market, WhatsApp has primarily captured Android devices. Later, it moved to iOS and left its footprints. Regardless of your device, WhatsApp is now available on the web, desktop, Android, or iOS. I agree that it is a positive thing that WhatsApp has huge accessibility, but it also becomes a hurdle when we want to delete messages. Among them, deleting WhatsApp messages for everyone is the most important. So, let us start with this query.

Note: Before doing the next step, ensure you have the latest version of WhatsApp.

  • Open the Whatsapp app on your phone.
  • Navigate to the chat where you wish to delete the message.
  • Look for a message and tap and hold for a second on that message.
  • A delete window will open, offering two options: “delete for me” and “delete for everyone.”
  • Tap on delete for everyone, and that message will soon be deleted for everyone.

Delete old WhatsApp messages on Android.

Suppose you want to delete your old WhatsApp messages on Android. You do not want those messages deleted. Here, you need to use the option “Delete for me.” If you choose this option, the phone will delete the messages from your side. So, without further ado, let us get started with the instructions.

  • Launch the WhatsApp application on your phone.
  • You can delete messages from a specific chat by selecting it.
  • Under that chat, tap and hold a particular chat.
  • A delete window will open, showing two options: delete for me and delete for everyone.
  • Tap on delete for me here, and you are done.

Delete Old WhatsApp Messages on iOS.

On iOS, you can delete WhatsApp messages in a similar way to how you can on Android. However, due to UI variation, people can’t understand where to do the same thing on iOS. Don’t worry; below are instructions to delete Whatsapp messages on iOS.

  • Launch the WhatsApp app on your iOS device.
  • Select the chat of the person whose message you want to delete.
  • Under that chat, select the message and tap and hold for a second.
  • Next, select the delete option from the given menu.
  • Please tap on the bin option to delete the message for me.

In addition, you want to delete messages from all platforms, such as Android, iOS, and desktop. There is a straight way to do this. Although it may be easy for some, a majority remains. Here are some steps to clear all messages from all platforms simultaneously.

  • Open the WhatsApp application on your device.
  • Tap on the three-dot menu >> Settings.
  • Under settings, tap on the chat section.
  • Tap on chat history >> clear all chats 
  • Mark the star messages and media options.
  • Lastly, tap on Clear messages, and you are done.

Additionally, you can delete WhatsApp messages for up to seven days. It is possible to do. All you need to do is enable the disappearing messages option. This feature allows you to delete all your messages after a particular period. Want to know how to use it? Then, follow the steps below.

  • Open the WhatsApp application on your phone.
  • Head to the settings option.
  • Tap on Privacy >> Disappear messages.
  • From there, tap on the set default timer.
  • Select the seven-day option from the list.
  • That is it; from now on, whatever you chat about will be deleted after seven days.

You can retrieve a message from your Android phone whenever you accidentally delete it. You only need to get it from the WhatsApp message database directory. I know it sounds technical to you. So, follow the below steps to view deleted WhatsApp messages.

  • Open the file manager and scroll down to WhatsApp.
  • Then, long press the msgstore.db.crypt12 file and rename it to msgstore backup.db.crypt12.
  • Please select the most recent backup file and change its name to msgstore.db.crypt12.
  • From Google Drive, delete all the WhatsApp backup files from your phone.
  • Next, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
  • Then, you will be prompted to restore the backup files. 
  • Select msgstore.db.crypt12 and tap Restore.
  • That is it, and your deleted message will appear on your screen.

Conclusively, deleting a WhatsApp message has a broad scope. Since it has many features, people have many options for doing the same thing. I have answered all your questions regarding WhatsApp message deletion. Even after explaining all the details, please reach out below if you still have any doubts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can a recipient tell me if you deleted a message?

Ans. Yes. Your recipient will see “This message was deleted” in that message place.

Q2. Can I delete WhatsApp messages after the time limit?

Ans. WhatsApp users have two days and 12 hours to delete messages after the time limit.

Q3. How can I permanently delete WhatsApp messages from both sides after an hour?

Ans. Just force-stop WhatsApp from settings and reset your date and time. Following this, you can manipulate WhatsApp and delete messages for everyone even after an hour.

Q4. Can you recover deleted WhatsApp messages from years ago?

Ans. You can do that similar to what we have done for viewing a deleted message.