Delete a single message you sent

Open the conversation where you sent the message. Find the message you want to delete, then press and hold it (on phone) or hover your mouse over it (on computer). A menu will appear with options — tap or click "Remove" or the trash icon.

After you remove it, the message disappears from your chat. The other person will see a note that says "You removed a message" instead of the original text. This works whether you sent the message one minute ago or several days ago — there is no time limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing a single message leaves a trace showing the other person that you deleted something, but the original text is gone.
  • Unsending a message within 10 minutes removes all traces — the other person will not see that anything was deleted.
  • Clearing your entire chat history with one person removes all messages from your side only, not theirs.
  • Deleting a conversation removes the whole thread from your inbox but does not affect the other person's copy of it.
  • On both phone and computer, the steps are similar: find the message, press and hold or hover, then choose delete or unsend from the menu.

Unsend a message within 10 minutes

If you catch a mistake right away, unsending is better than removing — it erases the message completely so the other person never sees it at all. Press and hold the message (phone) or hover over it (computer), then choose "Unsend" instead of "Remove."

You have about 10 minutes from the time you sent it. After that, the unsend option disappears and you can only remove it, which leaves the "You removed a message" notice. The exact time window can vary slightly depending on your Messenger version, so if you see the unsend option, use it when ready.

Clear all messages with one person

If you want to delete your entire conversation history with someone, open the chat, then press and hold the conversation name at the top (phone) or right-click it in your chat list (computer). Choose "Delete chat" or "Clear chat." This removes all messages from your inbox.

The other person still has their copy of the conversation — clearing your chat does not affect theirs. If you want to delete the conversation completely and not just the messages, choose "Delete chat" rather than "Clear chat." The difference is that deleting removes the whole thread from your list, while clearing keeps the conversation but empties it.

Delete an entire conversation from your inbox

Swipe left on the conversation (iPhone) or press and hold it (Android), then tap the trash or delete icon. On computer, right-click the conversation and choose "Delete." The conversation disappears from your inbox when ready.

This only removes it from your view. The other person's copy remains untouched, and if they message you again, the conversation will reappear in your inbox. You can always find old conversations by using the search bar at the top of Messenger — search for the person's name or a word from your chat.

Recover a deleted message or conversation

Once you delete a message or conversation, Messenger does not offer an undo button. However, if you deleted a conversation by accident, you can search for the person's name in the search bar at the top of Messenger and the old thread may appear in the results. Tap or click it to restore the conversation to your inbox.

If you removed or unsent a message, there is no way to get the text back. The message is gone permanently. If you need to tell the other person what you said, you will have to type it again in a new message.

Differences between phone and computer

The steps are nearly identical on iPhone, Android, and computer, but the gestures differ slightly. On phone, you press and hold a message or conversation. On computer, you hover your mouse over it or right-click. The menu that appears has the same options — remove, unsend, delete — so the action you take is the same regardless of device.

If you use Messenger on both phone and computer, deleting a message on one device removes it from both. The change syncs automatically, so you do not have to delete the same message twice. The same is true for clearing or deleting entire conversations.

What happens when you delete a message in a group chat

Removing or unsending a message in a group works the same way as in a one-on-one chat. Press and hold the message (phone) or hover over it (computer), then choose remove or unsend. Everyone in the group will see "You removed a message" if you remove it, or nothing at all if you unsend it within the time window.

If you want to delete your entire side of a group conversation, you can clear the chat or delete it from your inbox using the same steps as a regular conversation. The other members keep their copies, and the group continues without interruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the other person see what message I deleted?

If you remove a message, they see "You removed a message" but not the original text. If you unsend it within 10 minutes, they see nothing — no trace that anything was deleted. After 10 minutes, unsend is no longer an option.

Does deleting a conversation delete it for the other person too?

No. Deleting a conversation removes it only from your inbox. The other person still has their copy of the entire chat. If they message you again, the conversation reappears on your end.

What if I delete a message by accident?

Messenger does not have an undo feature for deleted messages. Once it is gone, you cannot recover the text. You can search for the person's name to find the conversation again, but the specific message will not reappear.

Can I delete messages on someone else's phone?

No. You can only delete or unsend messages you sent yourself. You cannot remove messages the other person sent to you from their phone — you can only delete them from your own view.

Does unsending a message work if the person already read it?

Yes. Unsending removes the message whether they read it or not, as long as you unsend within about 10 minutes of sending it. They will not see the original message or any notification that you unsent something.