After a long wait, WhatsApp introduced the function most requested by its users at the end of 2017: the elimination of sent messages. It is a very useful tool that on some occasions we have all used to eliminate messages written badly, or written to the wrong people.
Although it is an application that we use constantly, we still continue to use WhatsApp improperly. Therefore, it is possible that when deleting WhatsApp messages, some key aspects that could compromise the purpose of the function are not taken into account. To help you, we explain what you should consider if you want to properly delete WhatsApp messages.
3 things to keep in mind before deleting a WhatsApp message
If you are one of those people who usually make a mistake when sending messages on WhatsApp and you have to resort to the “Delete for all” option more than you want, there are several things you need to take into consideration to master the function.
You have a 60-minute limit to be able to delete the message
The ability to delete messages sent on WhatsApp started with a 7-minute limit, which was subsequently extended to 60 minutes. This is the maximum time it takes to delete a message sent to other members of the conversation, even if some have already read it.
If the 60 minutes pass, WhatsApp no longer offers you the possibility to delete the message for everyone, but only for you. This way, text, audio, or video will stay on other people’s phones forever.
Unusable for old versions of WhatsApp
The function to delete messages on WhatsApp is available only in the most updated versions of WhatsApp. Therefore, if you are chatting with a person who uses previous versions of the app, you should know that deleting messages will not work, as the function is not useful in those versions.
Remember that it is better to download the latest version of WhatsApp to keep it updated if you want messages to be deleted correctly for everyone, as WhatsApp explains on its website:
“In order for messages to be deleted correctly for everyone, both you and the recipient must use the latest version of WhatsApp.”
There are apps that restore deleted messages
Although not much talked about, there are Android applications dedicated to restoring deleted messages from other contacts to show you their content. This way, as the other user quickly deletes the message, you will be able to see what it was and find out why it deleted it.
Just as you can use this app, the contacts you talk to also. If any of these uses this type of application, you are in a position to easily see the content of the messages you delete, regardless of how long you’ve deleted. This is another thing to keep in mind when deleting a message, although nothing can be done to avoid it.
How to see the messages that have been deleted?
Our first app is NotificationHistory, available for Android, it has no limitations, it always works, and on every version of the mobile phones involved (battery saving, absence of internet, etc.). Then we also have WhatsRemoved+ available, available for Android, asks for authorization to read and save WhatsApp notifications on your smartphone, and records every message received.
Finally, the other contacts will be able to read the message if they were in the chat before the message was deleted.
