When sending messages on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram Direct, etc. users have the option to delete messages after they have been sent. There are two delete options – “Delete for me” and “Delete for everyone”. While both options remove the message, there is a difference in who can see that a message was deleted. Understanding the difference can help you better manage your messaging and online conversations.
Delete for Me
The “Delete for me” option removes the message only from your view. This means that the message will be deleted from your chat screen, but the recipient(s) will still be able to see the message from their end.
Here is a quick rundown of how “Delete for me” works:
- You send a message to one or more recipients
- You later decide you want to delete the message
- You select the “Delete for me” option
- The message is removed from your view of the chat
- The recipient(s) can still see the message from their end
So in essence, the message is only deleted from your perspective. The recipient’s chat screen will look unchanged.
Some key things to note about “Delete for me”:
- It only affects your view of the conversation
- Recipients are unaware the message was deleted
- The message remains visible to recipients and is not actually deleted from the conversation
- Useful if you want to remove a message from your view that you no longer want to see
- Does not delete or retract the message from the recipient(s) chat screen
Delete for Everyone
In contrast to “Delete for me”, the “Delete for everyone” option removes the message from both your view and the recipient’s view. It retracts the message as if it was never sent in the first place.
Here is how the “Delete for everyone” option works:
- You send a message to a recipient or group chat
- You later decide you want to delete the message for all participants
- You select the “Delete for everyone” option
- The message is removed from your view of the chat
- The message is also removed from the recipient’s view and they can no longer see it
Key things to know about “Delete for everyone”:
- Deletes the message for both you and the recipients
- Retracts the message as if it was never sent
- Useful for removing messages that you do not want participants to see anymore
- Recipients are made aware that a message was deleted
- Can only be done for a limited time after sending the message
So in summary, “Delete for everyone” removes the message completely from the conversation as if it never existed.
When You Can Use Delete Options
Platforms generally have time limits on when you can delete messages:
- WhatsApp – Can delete for everyone within 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds of sending the message
- Facebook Messenger – Can delete for everyone within 10 minutes of sending
- Instagram Direct – Can delete for everyone within 24 hours of sending
For all platforms, you can delete for yourself at any time after sending.
So if too much time has passed, the “Delete for everyone” option will be disabled, but you can still remove the message from your own view by using “Delete for me”.
Indication That a Message Was Deleted
When you use “Delete for everyone”, platforms notify the recipients that a message has been removed:
- WhatsApp – “This message was deleted”
- Facebook Messenger – “This message has been deleted”
- Instagram Direct – “Message deleted”
So even though recipients can no longer see the message content, they are made aware that a message was sent and later deleted from the conversation.
With “Delete for me”, there is no indication to the recipients since the message still remains visible on their end.
Does Deleting a Message Really Erase It?
Deleting a message does not necessarily mean the content is erased from a platform’s servers. In their terms of service, platforms often note that deleted data may persist in backup copies for a period of time.
So while deleting retracts the message from view, remnants of it may continue to exist in backups or logs for some time. However, normal users cannot access deleted message content.
Here are some examples of platform policies:
- WhatsApp – Deleted messages may remain on servers for up to 30 days before being deleted
- Facebook Messenger – Deleted messages are removed from view but remain on servers and in backups until deleted in the normal course of operations
- Instagram Direct – Deleted messages may persist in backup copies for an unspecified amount of time
So in practical terms, deleted messages are inaccessible to users, but may still exist in traces internally for some time.
Pros of Deleting Messages
There are various benefits to deleting messages:
- Rectifies mistakes – Can delete unintentional, inappropriate, or regrettable messages
- Maintains privacy – Can remove messages you don’t want in the chat history
- Cleans up conversations – Can delete obsolete messages to declutter chat
- Controls information – Can retract messages that you don’t want participants to see anymore
Essentially, judicious use of delete options gives you more control over the conversation.
Cons of Deleting Messages
Some downsides to being able to delete messages include:
- Recipient may have already seen it – Cannot undo impact of an inappropriate message already read by recipients
- Lost context – Deleting messages may remove helpful context from a conversation when reviewed later
- Suspicion – Deleting messages excessively can appear secretive
- Administrative use – Authorities can legally compel platforms to provide deleted messages in investigations
While deleting gives you more control, it does not allow you to rewrite history or prevent Authorities from accessing messages when necessary.
Examples of When to Delete Messages
Here are some common scenarios where deleting messages may be useful:
- Unintentionally sent to the wrong chat or person – Delete for everyone to retract
- Message contained private information you didn’t intend to share – Delete for everyone to remove
- Typos that confuse the meaning of a message – Delete and send a corrected version
- Discussion that is no longer relevant – Delete obsolete messages to clean up chat
- Inappropriate content sent accidentally – Delete for everyone to remove immediately
Examples of When Not to Delete
Instances where deleting messages may not be advisable:
- Ongoing important conversation – Retain context rather than deleting
- Sent message that is now disputed – Keep as evidence of initial statements
- Deleting all messages routinely – Appears secretive if overdone
- Messages needed for later reference – Don’t delete ones that may be useful to look back on
- Trying to cover up inappropriate behavior – Authorities can still access deleted content
Best Practices for Deleting Messages
Some best practices to follow when deleting messages:
- Avoid deleting when unnecessary – Only delete if it serves a specific purpose
- Remember time limits – Act fast if you want to delete a message for all recipients
- Be transparent – Tell recipients if you are deleting messages and why
- Retain context – Avoid removing messages that provide important context
- Don’t overdo it – Deleting messages excessively will raise suspicions
- Consider taking screenshots – If you may need the message content later, capture it before deleting
The ability to delete messages can be useful, but should be done thoughtfully. Follow these tips to delete responsibly.
Key Takeaways
To summarize the key differences:
- “Delete for me” removes the message from your view only
- “Delete for everyone” removes the message for you and all recipients
- Time limits exist for deleting messages in chat platforms
- Recipients are notified when “Delete for everyone” is used
- Deleted messages may persist internally in platform backups
- Don’t overuse delete, but use judiciously when required
Understanding these delete options allows you to better manage your messaging and online conversations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Delete for me” and “Delete for everyone” provide useful options for removing messages from view in chat platforms. While the deleted content may still exist in backups, it becomes inaccessible to normal users. When used appropriately, deleting messages can help rectify mistakes, maintain privacy, declutter chats, and prevent the spread of unintended information. However, be aware of time limits, avoid deleting excessively, and don’t use delete as a coverup. Overall, be transparent about your reasons for deleting messages when you need to use these options.