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We’ve all been there — you fire off a message only to realise it went to the wrong chat, contained a typo, or shared something you didn’t mean to. Fortunately, WhatsApp’s “Delete for Everyone” feature lets you unsend messages so they disappear from both your phone and the recipient’s. Here’s exactly how it works in 2026.
How to Delete WhatsApp Messages for Everyone
- Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat containing the message you want to delete.
- Tap and hold (long press) the message you sent. You can also select multiple messages by tapping additional ones after the first selection.
- Tap the Delete icon (trash can) at the top of the screen. On iPhone, tap “Delete” from the menu that appears.
- Select “Delete for Everyone” from the popup options. This removes the message from all recipients’ devices.
- Done! The chat will now show “This message was deleted” in place of the original content for all participants.
What’s the Time Limit for Deleting Messages?
As of 2026, WhatsApp allows you to delete messages for everyone within approximately 2 days (about 60 hours) after sending. After this window closes, the “Delete for Everyone” option will no longer appear — you’ll only be able to delete the message from your own device.
Important: WhatsApp has extended this limit over the years. It was originally 7 minutes, then 1 hour 8 minutes, then 2 days. Always act quickly for the best chance of successful deletion.
What Happens After You Delete for Everyone?
- The message is replaced with “This message was deleted” on the recipient’s phone.
- Media (photos, videos, documents) is removed from the chat and device storage.
- The deletion works on individual chats, group chats, and all device types.
Recipients may still see the message if they read it before deletion or if their app hasn’t connected to the internet yet.
Troubleshooting: “Delete for Everyone” Not Showing?
The time limit has passed
If more than ~60 hours have passed since you sent the message, the option disappears. You can only “Delete for Me” at this point.
You’re trying to delete someone else’s message
“Delete for Everyone” only works on messages you sent. You cannot delete messages sent by others from everyone’s chat.
Outdated WhatsApp version
Both you and the recipient need to be running a recent version of WhatsApp. Update the app via your device’s app store to ensure full compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the recipient still see my deleted message?
If they read or screenshotted the message before you deleted it, they’ll still have seen it. The deletion only removes the message from the chat interface — it doesn’t erase memories or screenshots. Additionally, if their phone was offline, the message may appear briefly before the deletion takes effect once they reconnect.
Does “Delete for Everyone” work in group chats?
Yes! It works exactly the same way in group chats. The message will be replaced with “This message was deleted” for all group members. Long-press the message, tap delete, and select “Delete for Everyone.”
Will the other person know I deleted a message?
Yes — they’ll see a note saying “This message was deleted” in the chat. WhatsApp doesn’t hide the fact that a message existed and was removed, but the content itself won’t be visible.
Can I delete photos and videos for everyone too?
Yes, you can delete any type of message — text, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, stickers, and GIFs. The same time limit and process applies. However, if the recipient has auto-download enabled, media may have already been saved to their gallery.
Last updated: June 2026 · Based on WhatsApp version 2.24+
This guide is independently written and not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta. Steps may vary slightly by device and app version.