There are a few reasons why you may no longer be able to delete messages for everyone on WhatsApp:
Time Limit
WhatsApp only allows you to delete messages for everyone within a certain time limit after sending. This time limit is currently set to 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds after sending the message. If more time has passed, the “delete for everyone” option will no longer be available.
Recipient Disabled Feature
The recipient you are trying to delete the message from may have disabled the “delete for everyone” feature. This prevents others from deleting messages after they have seen them. You will not be able to delete messages for that recipient if they have disabled the feature.
You Are Blocked
If the recipient has blocked you, it will not be possible to delete messages you have sent them. Blocking prevents all communication, including deleting messages.
Recipient Closed Chat
If the recipient closed the chat window before you attempted to delete the message, the delete will fail. The chat window needs to remain open to allow message deletion.
Message Not Sent
You can only delete messages that have been successfully sent. If a message failed to send due to network issues, it cannot be deleted.
Recipient Not Online
The recipient needs to be connected to the WhatsApp server in order to delete a message from their device. If they are offline, the message deletion will be pending until they are online again.
When Does the Delete for Everyone Feature Not Work?
There are a few scenarios where deleting messages for everyone will fail or not delete the message on all devices:
Recipient Phone Offline
If the recipient’s phone is switched off or not connected to the internet, the message will not be deleted immediately. It will remain on their device until they come back online.
Message Quoted or Replied To
If the message you want to delete has been quoted or replied to, the message text may still be visible through the quote or reply. Only the original message will be deleted.
Backups Include Message
If the recipient has a backup of their WhatsApp chat history that included the message before you deleted it, the message will still appear in the backup. Backups are not automatically deleted.
Photos Saved to Device Gallery
If the recipient saved photos you sent to their device’s local photo gallery, deleting the WhatsApp message will not delete the photos from their gallery. Media files must be manually deleted.
Group Admin Privileges
In a group chat, only administrators can delete messages for everyone. Regular group members can only delete their own messages, not messages sent by others.
Tips for Successfully Deleting WhatsApp Messages
To ensure your message deletes properly for everyone, follow these tips:
Act Quickly
Delete the message as soon as possible, within minutes or a few hours maximum. The longer you wait, the less likely the delete will succeed.
Confirm Recipient is Online
Check that the little green dot is displayed next to their name confirming they are currently online before attempting to delete.
Avoid Quoting/Replying
Do not allow others to quote or reply to the message you want to delete, as this could prevent full deletion.
Remember Group Rules
Only group admins can delete messages for everyone in groups. Make sure you have admin rights before attempting group message deletion.
Request Recipient Update Backups
Ask the recipient to update their WhatsApp backups after you delete the message to remove it from backups. Backups don’t get updated automatically.
Why Did WhatsApp Add the Delete for Everyone Feature?
WhatsApp introduced the ability to delete sent messages in 2017 and later extended the time limit to over an hour. There are a few reasons why this feature was added:
Prevent Message Spread
Deleting for everyone gives users a way to prevent private or unintended messages from spreading further, even after sending.
Cover Up Mistakes
It allows users to quickly fix mistakes like sending messages to the wrong person or group.
Delete Regrettable Messages
Some users regret what they have sent and want to remove it from the recipient’s phone completely. Delete for everyone enables this.
Aligned with Rival Apps
Competing messaging apps already offered message deletion. WhatsApp likely added this feature to align capabilities.
Emphasize Privacy
Deletion powers emphasize WhatsApp’s focus on user privacy and control over messaging.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s delete for everyone feature enables users to remove messages after sending, but it only works within a limited time and scenarios. If you can no longer delete WhatsApp messages for everyone, it is likely due to the time limit expiring, the recipient disabling deletions, blocking you, phone being offline, or because the message was quoted, replied to, or backed up. Always act fast if you want your deletion to succeed and remember it may not work perfectly in all cases. The feature aims to give users more control over privacy but has technical constraints that limit its effectiveness.