How to permanently delete WhatsApp messages so they can't be recovered?
Asked by: Leonor Mills | Last update: February 2, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (59 votes)
To permanently delete WhatsApp messages, use the "Delete for Everyone" feature within two days of sending, manage backups by disabling/deleting them (iCloud/Google Drive), clear app data, and consider uninstalling/reinstalling the app, but remember some data might linger in device backups or forensics, so using disappearing messages proactively and deleting the account are ultimate steps for truly permanent removal.
How to make sure deleted WhatsApp messages cannot be recovered?
Note: After choosing Delete for me, you have 5 seconds to undo this action by tapping Undo before the message is permanently deleted. After 5 seconds, you can't recover the deleted messages. Please be advised that WhatsApp is unable to recover deleted messages for you.
How can I permanently delete WhatsApp messages from both sides?
To permanently delete WhatsApp messages from both sides, long-press the message you sent and select "Delete," then choose "Delete for Everyone" within the time limit (around 2 days), which removes it for you and the recipient, though they might have seen it or screenshotted it; for older messages, you can use the "Disappearing Messages" feature or clear the entire chat history for both sides if you have access to their phone, as remote deletion for old messages isn't possible.
Can WhatsApp chat history be deleted permanently?
Delete all chats at once
Individual chats and status updates will be deleted from your Chats tab. However, group chats will still be visible in your Chats tab, and you'll still be part of them unless you exit them. Note: When you delete a chat, it can't be undone. WhatsApp is unable to recover deleted chats for you.
How to permanently delete chats from both sides?
To permanently delete messages from both sides, use built-in "unsend" or "delete for everyone" features in apps like Messenger (long-press message > delete/unsend), Signal (long-press > delete > delete for everyone), or Instagram (swipe up for disappearing mode/vanish mode, or long-press > unsend), acting quickly as time limits often apply; for standard texts, this requires the other person to delete it, but some apps offer true permanent deletion or timed vanishes.
How to Delete WhatsApp Messages Permanently
How to permanently delete text messages so they can't be recovered?
To permanently delete text messages, you must first delete them from the app and then empty the "Recently Deleted" or trash folder, but for true unrecoverability, a factory reset is best, optionally followed by filling the device with junk data to overwrite deleted space, or using secure-erase apps, as simple deletion just marks space as available.
Can deleted WhatsApp messages be recovered?
Restoring your chats
To successfully restore your chats, you need to use the same phone number and Google Account or iCloud account you used to create the backup. We recommend performing a backup before uninstalling WhatsApp or moving to a new device. To learn how to restore your chats, read this article.
Can WhatsApp messages be traced after deleted?
WhatsApp messages can be traced after they've been deleted because WhatsApp stores their source codes and destination codes for a period of time. On your device itself, deleted messages may be recovered using certain tools if new data has not overwritten it, or if they are saved in a backup.
Does permanently deleting a chat delete it for the other person?
No, deleting a standard text (SMS/MMS) message only removes it from your device; the other person keeps their copy. However, many modern messaging apps (WhatsApp, Messenger, iMessage, Instagram) offer an "unsend" or "delete for everyone" feature, which does remove the message from both sides within a time limit, though the recipient might see a notification that a message was deleted.
How do I permanently delete i-messages from both sides?
Method 1: Use Apple's official undo send feature
This is the primary and most reliable method for deleting messages from both sides. Apple introduced this feature in iOS 16, and when it works, it completely removes the message from both devices.
Does clearing a chat on WhatsApp clear it for everyone?
No, clearing a chat on WhatsApp only removes messages from your device; the other person(s) in the chat can still see the entire conversation on their phones. To delete messages for everyone, you must use the "Delete for Everyone" option on individual messages (within a time limit) or enable disappearing messages, as "Clear Chat" only affects your own view, leaving the chat thread open but empty on your end.
How do I Delete WhatsApp messages on both sides?
To delete messages for both sides on WhatsApp, use the "Delete for Everyone" feature (within about 2 hours/days, depending on message age) by long-pressing the message and selecting delete; for older messages or entire chats, you must ask the other person to delete it, use Disappearing Messages for future chats, or the other person can manually clear their chat to remove it from their side.
How do I permanently Delete all data?
To permanently delete files from a Windows computer and make them unrecoverable:
- Delete the files normally and empty the Recycle Bin.
- Use built-in tools like cipher /w to overwrite free space.
- Employ third-party software for secure deletion.
- Encrypt sensitive data before deletion for added security.
Can deleted data be recovered?
Local backup of data
In operating systems, restore points allow the system to be reverted to its previous state. However, these restore points are not automatically created in many devices. Users must manually create device restore points at certain intervals.
Can police recover permanently deleted messages?
In many cases, the police are still able to download text messages from your phone, even when you have deleted them. If the police cannot obtain data from your phone, they might try to get the data from your mobile phone service provider instead.
Can police open WhatsApp messages?
Try updating your phone's operating system. Make sure you're connected to the internet. Restart your device. Make sure you've completed the verification process for your phone number.
How do I delete WhatsApp messages so they can't be recovered?
Step 2: Choose "Delete for Everyone"
Once the message is highlighted, follow the steps for your device: iPhone (iOS): Tap the Trash Icon 🗑️ trash icon → Select Delete for Everyone. Android: Tap the Trash Can icon → Select Delete for Everyone.
How do I delete chats permanently?
To permanently delete a chat, you must delete the conversation within the specific app (like Google Messages, Messenger, Instagram), and often clear it from a trash folder or "unsend" individual messages if available, as deleting from your view usually doesn't remove it from the other person's view, though apps like Instagram allow "unsending" from both sides. For true permanence across platforms, you need to use the app's delete function, and for some (like Google Chat), deleting from your side is permanent to you, but others see it.
Are deleted WhatsApp messages gone forever?
Deleted WhatsApp messages are gone from your device but can often be recovered from a recent cloud backup (Google Drive/iCloud) or potentially from old phone storage files, unless you used "Delete for Everyone," which removes them permanently for all users. If you haven't backed up recently, the messages might be overwritten and lost forever, but specialized tools sometimes find remnants in phone storage.
How to recover 4 year old WhatsApp messages?
Once you've confirmed you have a Google Account backup, you can start the restoring process. If you don't have a Google Account backup, you can still restore chats on a new device by transferring chats from your old device.
Where are deleted WhatsApp messages stored?
For Android (Check Local & Drive)
Even if Google Drive says "Never," Android creates a Local Backup daily at 2:00 AM. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Check the time next to Local. Rule: If the time is BEFORE you deleted the messages, simply reinstall WhatsApp to restore them.
Are deleted messages gone forever?
The answer is not as straightforward as many believe. Depending on the device, user behavior, and the technical environment, a deleted message may be gone forever—or it may be recoverable from several different sources.