WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows you to send messages, photos, videos, documents and make calls for free. However, you may want to delete your WhatsApp history for various reasons like freeing up storage space, privacy concerns or simply starting fresh.
Deleting your WhatsApp data will remove all messages, media, call logs and other data from your phone. You can delete specific chats or your entire message history. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you multiple ways to completely delete your WhatsApp data on both Android and iOS devices.
Reasons to Delete WhatsApp History
Here are some common reasons why you may want to delete your WhatsApp data:
- Free up storage space – WhatsApp can take up a lot of storage space on your phone with media files and documents.
- Privacy and security – You don’t want old messages and media hanging around when they are no longer needed.
- Change of phone – When changing to a new device, you want to remove personal chats and data.
- Stopping usage – If you are planning to stop using WhatsApp, deleting all history is recommended.
- General decluttering – Like spring cleaning, you just want a fresh start and remove old chats.
How to Delete WhatsApp History on Android
There are two ways to delete WhatsApp data on Android – directly within the WhatsApp app and by clearing app data from your phone’s settings. Here are the step-by-step instructions for both methods:
Delete WhatsApp History in App
1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
2. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat history.
3. You will see the option to delete all chats. Tap on it.
4. Confirm again by tapping DELETE to permanently erase all WhatsApp messages, media, calls etc.
Clear App Data
1. Go to your phone’s Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
3. Locate WhatsApp in the list and tap on it.
4. Now tap on Storage > Clear Data.
5. Confirm again to delete all app data.
This will completely wipe your WhatsApp account and history from the device. You’ll have to verify your number again when opening WhatsApp after this.
How to Delete WhatsApp History on iPhone
On iOS devices, you can delete WhatsApp data directly within the app. Here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap on Chats > Chat History.
- Select Delete All Chats.
- Confirm again by tapping on Delete Chat History.
This will permanently erase your messages, media, groups and call history. Like on Android, you’ll need to reverify your phone number the next time you open WhatsApp.
How to Backup WhatsApp before Deleting History
Before deleting your WhatsApp history, it is recommended to backup your chats and media. This allows you to restore your data in case you ever need it again. Here is how to backup on Android and iOS:
Android Backup
- Open WhatsApp > Three Dots > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up to save your chats to Google Drive.
- You can also include media in the backup and set a backup frequency.
iPhone Backup
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats.
- Tap on Chat Backup > Back Up Now to backup chats to iCloud.
- Enable Include Videos to backup media files as well.
Your chats and media will now be saved to the cloud. If you ever switch phones or reinstall WhatsApp, you can restore your message history.
How to Restore Deleted WhatsApp History
If you deleted your WhatsApp data but had taken a backup earlier, it is easy to restore your history. Follow these steps:
Restore Android WhatsApp Backup
- Reinstall and open WhatsApp on your device.
- Verify your phone number when prompted.
- On the Backup found screen, tap Restore to retrieve chats and media from Google Drive.
Restore iPhone WhatsApp from iCloud
- Install WhatsApp again and verify phone number.
- On the chat restore screen, tap Restore Backup.
- Select the backup you want to restore from iCloud.
Your WhatsApp chats, history, groups, media files will be retrieved from the cloud backup you had taken earlier before deleting data.
Does Deleting WhatsApp Delete it From Recipient’s Phone?
No, when you delete WhatsApp chats or account from your device, it does not get deleted from the phones of your WhatsApp contacts and group participants. Your messages will remain visible on their smartphones unless they also delete it.
So deleting WhatsApp only erases data from your phone, not others. The messages, photos, videos you have sent will still be available on the recipient’s devices even after you delete WhatsApp history from your phone.
Precautions Before Deleting WhatsApp History
Here are some precautions you should take before deleting your WhatsApp account and message history:
- Backup chats and media files – This allows recovery if needed.
- Note down important messages, codes, information that you may need later.
- Export chat history – Use third party apps to save important chats as PDF or TXT files.
- Notify contacts – Let your important contacts know you are deleting WhatsApp.
- Remember phone number verification – You’ll need to reverify number when reinstalling WhatsApp.
- Check for pending transfers – Media files that are still uploading/downloading will be aborted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WhatsApp notify contacts when you delete history?
No, your contacts do not get any notification when you delete your WhatsApp account or chat history. It will just show in their chat that certain messages have been deleted.
Can I recover deleted WhatsApp messages?
If you have backed up your WhatsApp chats, you can restore deleted messages using that backup. Otherwise, there is no way to retrieve permanently deleted WhatsApp data.
Will my groups be deleted if I erase WhatsApp history?
Yes, deleting your WhatsApp account and chat history will remove all groups created by you. You will no longer be a participant in those groups.
Can someone read my WhatsApp if I delete it?
No, when you delete WhatsApp history, all your chats and data are erased from your device and servers. No one will be able to access your deleted WhatsApp account.
Is there a time limit to restore deleted WhatsApp backup?
On Android, your Google Drive backup will be available for restore anytime unless you delete it manually. On iPhone, iCloud backup expires after 120 days if not restored.
Conclusion
Deleting WhatsApp data completely erases your personal chats, groups, media files, and information from your smartphone. Make sure to backup important data before deleting. You can use either the in-app delete option or clear app data from settings for a complete removal of your WhatsApp account.
Remember that your WhatsApp messages will still be visible on your recipient’s phones when you delete history. So deleting WhatsApp only removes data from your device and not others. With billions of users worldwide, WhatsApp has become an integral part of our lives. I hope this guide gave you a clear understanding of how to delete your WhatsApp history across platforms.