The basic steps differ by app, but the principle is the same
Deleting a message usually means finding it in your conversation, pressing and holding (on phone) or right-clicking (on computer), and selecting delete from the menu that appears. The exact wording and location of that menu changes between apps — iMessage calls it "Remove", WhatsApp calls it "Delete", Facebook Messenger calls it "Remove". On a computer, you often click a trash icon or three-dot menu instead of right-clicking. The message then moves to a trash or recently deleted folder, where it stays for a set time — usually 30 days — before the app permanently removes it.
What matters to understand is that deleting a message from your screen does not always delete it from the other person's phone. Most apps delete only your copy. The person you messaged still sees the message in their conversation unless they delete it themselves. Some apps now offer "unsend" or "remove for everyone" features that delete the message from both sides, but these have time limits — usually between 10 minutes and 2 hours after you sent it — and they do not work if the other person has already read and screenshotted the message.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a message from your phone removes it only from your view; the other person still sees it unless the app offers an "unsend for everyone" option.
- Most apps move deleted messages to a trash folder for 30 days before permanent removal, giving you a window to recover them if you change your mind.
- Unsend or remove-for-everyone features work only within a short time window (usually 10 minutes to 2 hours) and fail if the message has been read or screenshotted.
- The steps to delete a message vary by app: press and hold on iPhone or Android, right-click on a computer, or tap a menu icon depending on which app you use.
How to delete a message on iPhone
Open the conversation containing the message you want to delete. Press and hold your finger on the message itself — not on the sender's name or the time, but on the text or image of the message. A menu will pop up with several options. Tap "Remove" or "Delete" (the exact word depends on which app you are using). The message disappears from your screen.
If you want to delete multiple messages at once, some apps let you tap "Edit" or "Select" at the top of the conversation, then tap each message you want to remove, then tap a delete button. This is faster than deleting one at a time. Check whether your app has this option by looking for an edit button near the top of the conversation.
How to delete a message on Android
Open the conversation and press and hold your finger on the message you want to delete. A menu will appear — usually with a trash icon or the word "Delete". Tap it. The message is removed from your view. Some Android phones show a checkmark next to the message when you press and hold, which means you can then tap other messages to select multiple ones before tapping delete.
If pressing and holding does not work on your phone, try swiping left or right on the message — some Android apps respond to a swipe instead. If that does not work either, look for a three-dot menu icon (⋮) at the top right of the app and tap it to see whether delete is listed there.
How to delete a message on a computer or web browser
Right-click on the message you want to delete. A menu will appear with options including delete, remove, or trash. Click the option that removes the message. If right-clicking does not work, look for a three-dot menu icon or a trash icon near the message itself and click that instead.
Some apps do not show delete options until you hover your mouse over the message. Move your cursor over the message and wait a moment — icons or a menu should appear. If you still do not see a delete option, check the app's settings or help section, because some web versions of messaging apps have limited features compared to the phone version.
Using unsend or remove-for-everyone features
WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and some other apps now offer an "unsend", "remove for everyone", or "delete for everyone" feature that deletes the message from both your phone and the other person's phone. To use it, press and hold the message (on phone) or right-click it (on computer), then look for an option that says "unsend", "remove for everyone", or similar. Tap or click that option.
This feature has important limits. It usually works only if you unsend the message within 10 minutes to 2 hours of sending it — the exact time window depends on the app. If the other person has already read the message or taken a screenshot, the unsend may not work, or the app may notify them that you tried to unsend it. If the time window has passed, you will see only the regular delete option, which removes the message only from your side.
What happens to deleted messages
When you delete a message, most apps move it to a trash, recently deleted, or archive folder rather than erasing it when ready. You can usually recover a deleted message by opening that folder and selecting "restore" or "undelete". This recovery window typically lasts 30 days, though some apps keep deleted messages longer. After that period, the app permanently removes the message from its servers.
Permanently deleted messages cannot be recovered by you. However, if the other person did not delete their copy, they can still see the message in their conversation. If you need to remove a message that the other person can see, you must use the unsend-for-everyone feature (if available and within the time limit) or ask them to delete it themselves.
Why you might not see a delete option
Some apps do not let you delete messages at all, or they limit deletion to messages you sent within a certain time window. Older versions of some apps may not have delete features. If you cannot find a delete option, check whether you are using the latest version of the app — update it from your phone's app store or your computer's app store and try again.
Another reason you might not see delete is that the message is very old. Some apps only let you delete messages sent within the last few days or weeks. If the message is older than that, deletion may not be an option. In that case, your only choice is to mute or archive the conversation so you do not see it, or to ask the other person to delete their copy if the message is sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete a message, can the other person still see it?
Yes, unless you use an unsend-for-everyone feature. Deleting a message removes it only from your phone or computer. The other person still sees it in their conversation. Unsend-for-everyone works only within a short time window (usually 10 minutes to 2 hours) and may fail if they have already read or screenshotted the message.
Can I recover a message I deleted by accident?
Usually yes, within 30 days. Most apps move deleted messages to a trash or recently deleted folder. Open that folder, find the message, and tap or click restore or undelete. After 30 days, the message is permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
What is the difference between delete and archive?
Delete removes the message from your view and moves it to trash. Archive hides the conversation but keeps all messages in it — you can search for them or unhide the conversation later. Archive is useful if you want to clean up your inbox without losing the message history.
Why does the other person get notified when I unsend a message?
Some apps notify the recipient that you unsent a message because it would be confusing for them to see a message disappear without explanation. The notification usually says something like "this message was removed" rather than showing the content of the message you deleted.
Can I delete a message if I sent it to the wrong person?
If you notice the mistake when ready, use unsend-for-everyone if your app has it and you are within the time window. If the time window has passed, you can only delete it from your side. You should contact the person and explain the mistake, or ask them to delete it themselves.