Step 1: Ensure You Have the Latest Version of WhatsApp Installed
Prior to diving into deleting sent messages on WhatsApp, it’s crucial to ensure that you have the latest version of the app installed on your device. This ensures that you have access to all the latest features, including the ability to delete sent messages. To update WhatsApp, simply go to your device’s app store and check for updates. If there’s an update available, install it.
Step 2: Find the Message You Want to Delete
Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat where the message you want to delete is located. Scroll through the chat until you locate the message you wish to remove. Keep in mind that you can only delete messages within a specific time frame; otherwise, they become permanent.
Step 3: Tap and Hold the Message
Once you’ve found the message you want to delete, tap and hold on it. This action will highlight the message and reveal a menu with various options.
Step 4: Select the “Delete” Option
From the menu that appears, tap on the “Delete” option. WhatsApp will then prompt you with two choices: “Delete for Me” and “Delete for Everyone”.
Step 5: Choose Between “Delete for Me” and “Delete for Everyone”
If you select “Delete for Me”, the message will be deleted only from your device, and the recipient will still be able to see it. However, if you choose “Delete for Everyone”, WhatsApp will attempt to remove the message from both your device and the recipient’s device.
Step 6: Confirm Deletion
After selecting the desired option, WhatsApp will ask for confirmation before deleting the message. Simply tap on “Delete” to confirm your choice.
Step 7: Message Successfully Deleted
Once the message has been successfully deleted, you will see a notification in the chat that says “This message was deleted”. This notification appears to both you and the recipient if you selected the “Delete for Everyone” option. If you only chose “Delete for Me”, the message will disappear from your chat, but the recipient’s chat will remain unchanged.
WhatsApp’s ability to delete sent messages is a valuable feature that ensures your communication remains as intended. Although remember that the ability to delete a sent message is limited to a certain time frame. Now that you know how to delete sent WhatsApp messages, you can rectify any messaging mishaps and maintain smooth communication with your contacts