Delete messages one at a time or in bulk using Messenger's built-in tools

Facebook Messenger lets you remove messages you've sent or received. You can delete them individually by tapping and holding each message, or delete multiple messages at once by switching to selection mode. The process differs slightly between the mobile app and the web version, but both take less than a minute once you know where to look.

Deleted messages disappear from your own chat history when ready. The other person in the conversation still sees their copy of the message unless you use the "Remove for Everyone" option, which works only on messages you sent within the last 10 minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • On mobile, long-press a message to delete it individually, or tap "Edit" at the top of the chat to select and delete multiple messages at once.
  • On the web, right-click a message to delete it, or use the three-dot menu next to the message for more options.
  • Messages you delete only disappear from your account — the other person still sees them unless you remove them within 10 minutes of sending.
  • Messenger does not restore deleted messages, so make sure you want to remove them before confirming the deletion.

Delete multiple messages on the Messenger mobile app

Open the conversation containing the messages you want to delete. Tap the "Edit" button at the top of the chat window — it usually appears as three dots or a pencil icon, depending on your phone's operating system. This switches the chat into selection mode.

Tap each message you want to remove. A checkmark appears next to selected messages. Once you've chosen all the messages you want to delete, tap the trash or delete icon that appears at the bottom of the screen. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

If you only want to delete one message, long-press it directly without entering edit mode. A menu appears with options including "Delete". Tap it and confirm.

Delete multiple messages on Messenger's web version

Go to Messenger.com or open Messenger through Facebook.com. Find the conversation you want to clean up and click on it to open the chat window.

Right-click on the first message you want to delete. A context menu appears with a "Delete" or "Remove" option. Click it to remove that single message. For multiple messages, there is no bulk selection mode on the web version — you must delete them one at a time by right-clicking each one.

Alternatively, hover over a message and look for a three-dot menu icon that appears to the right of the message. Click it and select "Delete" from the dropdown menu. This method works the same way as right-clicking.

Remove messages for everyone within the 10-minute window

If you sent a message and want the other person to stop seeing it, you can remove it for everyone — but only if you act quickly. This option is available for 10 minutes after you send the message.

On mobile, long-press the message you sent and look for "Remove for Everyone" in the menu. On the web, right-click the message or use the three-dot menu and select "Remove for Everyone". The message disappears from both your chat and the other person's chat, replaced with a note saying the message was removed.

After 10 minutes, the "Remove for Everyone" option disappears. You can still delete the message from your own chat history, but the other person will continue to see it.

What happens to deleted messages in group chats

Deleting a message in a group chat works the same way as in one-on-one conversations. The message disappears from your view, but other group members still see it unless you remove it for everyone within the 10-minute window.

If you remove a message for everyone in a group, all members see the notification that you removed it. This is useful if you sent something by mistake or want to correct misinformation quickly, but be aware that the removal itself is visible to everyone in the group.

Clearing your entire chat history versus deleting individual messages

If you want to remove all messages from a conversation at once, you can delete the entire chat. On mobile, long-press the conversation name in your chat list and select "Delete Chat". On the web, right-click the conversation and choose "Delete Chat". This removes the conversation from your message list but does not affect what the other person sees.

Deleting a chat is different from deleting individual messages. When you delete a chat, you lose access to the entire conversation history on your device. The other person's copy remains unchanged. If you want to keep the conversation but remove only certain messages, delete them individually instead.

Messenger does not recover deleted messages

Once you delete a message, Messenger does not provide a way to restore it. There is no "undo" button and no archive of deleted messages you can access later. If you think you might need a message in the future, take a screenshot or copy the text before deleting it.

If you deleted a message by mistake and need to know what it said, your only option is to ask the other person in the conversation. They still have their copy of the message unless you removed it for everyone within the 10-minute window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a message someone else sent to me?

Yes. You can delete any message in your chat history, whether you sent it or received it. The deletion only affects your view — the other person still sees their copy of the message in their chat history.

Does the other person get notified when I delete a message?

No, unless you use "Remove for Everyone". When you delete a message from your own chat, the other person does not receive a notification. If you remove it for everyone, they see a note that the message was removed, but not who removed it or when.

What if I delete a message more than 10 minutes after sending it?

You can still delete it from your own chat history, but the other person will continue to see it. The "Remove for Everyone" option only works within 10 minutes of sending. After that window closes, your only option is to delete it from your side.

Can I delete messages from archived chats?

Yes. Open the archived conversation, find the messages you want to remove, and delete them the same way you would in an active chat. Deleting messages does not affect whether the chat is archived or not.

If I delete my Messenger account, do my messages disappear for other people?

No. Deleting your Messenger account removes your access to the messages, but the other people in your conversations still see their copies. To remove messages before closing your account, delete them individually or use "Remove for Everyone" on recent messages.