Have you ever accidentally sent a message on Messenger that you immediately regretted? Or perhaps you’re cleaning up your inbox and want to get rid of some old conversations. Whatever the reason, deleting messages on Messenger is a simple process that can be done in just a few taps. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to delete messages on Messenger, both individually and in bulk. We’ll also provide some tips on how to recover deleted messages, just in case you change your mind.
Deleting individual messages on Messenger is easy. Simply open the conversation that contains the message you want to delete, tap and hold on the message, and then select “Delete.” You’ll be given the option to delete the message for yourself only or for everyone in the conversation. If you choose to delete the message for everyone, it will be permanently removed from the conversation history for all participants. However, it’s important to note that the other person may still have a copy of the message if they have it saved elsewhere.
If you want to delete multiple messages at once, you can use the “Select Messages” feature. To do this, open the conversation that contains the messages you want to delete, tap the “Select Messages” button at the top of the screen, and then tap on each message you want to delete. Once you’ve selected all of the messages you want to delete, tap the “Delete” button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll be given the option to delete the messages for yourself only or for everyone in the conversation. As with deleting individual messages, deleting multiple messages for everyone will permanently remove them from the conversation history for all participants.
Deleting Individual Messages
You can easily delete individual messages in a Messenger conversation without removing the entire chat. Here’s a detailed guide to deleting single messages:
Step 1: Open the Messenger Conversation in Your Browser
To delete individual messages, you need to access the conversation in your browser. Here’s a step-by-step guide to do that:
| Device | Steps |
|---|---|
| Computer |
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| Mobile Phone |
|
Step 2: Find the Message You Want to Delete
Once you have opened the conversation, scroll through the messages and find the specific message you want to delete. Hover your mouse over the message (on a computer) or tap and hold the message (on a mobile device).
Step 3: Select “Remove”
A pop-up menu will appear. Click or tap on the “Remove” option. Confirm the deletion by clicking or tapping on “Remove” again.
Step 4: Choose “Delete for Everyone” (Optional)
Facebook Messenger gives you the option to delete messages for yourself or for everyone in the conversation. If you choose “Delete for Everyone,” the message will be removed from both your and the recipient’s devices.
Note:
You can only delete messages that you have sent yourself. You won’t be able to delete messages sent by other participants in the conversation.
Removing Entire Conversations
There are several ways to delete an entire conversation in Messenger, depending on whether you’re using the mobile app or the web version. Here are the steps for both:
Mobile App
- Open the Messenger app on your phone.
- Tap on the Chats tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Find the conversation you want to delete and tap and hold on it.
- A menu will appear. Tap on "Delete Conversation."
- Confirm that you want to delete the conversation by tapping on "Delete."
Web Version
- Go to Messenger.com in your web browser.
- Sign in to your Messenger account.
- Find the conversation you want to delete in the left sidebar.
- Hover your mouse over the conversation and click on the three dots that appear.
- Select "Delete Conversation" from the menu.
- Confirm that you want to delete the conversation by clicking on "Delete."
What Happens When You Delete a Conversation
When you delete a conversation in Messenger, it will be removed from your account. However, it’s important to note that the conversation may still be visible to the other person if they have not deleted it on their end.
Deleting Multiple Conversations at Once
If you have a large number of conversations to delete, you can use the following method to delete them all at once:
| Device | Steps |
|---|---|
| Mobile App |
|
| Web Version |
|
Massaging Multiple Messages Simultaneously
To delete multiple messages simultaneously, follow these steps:
- Open the Messenger app and navigate to the conversation containing the messages you want to delete.
- Tap and hold on the first message you want to delete. A blue checkmark will appear beside the message.
- Tap and hold on the remaining messages you want to delete. The checkmark should propagate from the first message you selected to the others. You can also use the following techniques to select multiple messages:
- Once multiple messages are selected, tap on the trash can icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Confirm that you want to delete the selected messages by tapping on “Delete” in the confirmation pop-up.
Selecting Multiple Consecutive Messages
To select multiple consecutive messages, tap and hold on the first message, slide your finger over the subsequent messages you want to select, and release your finger when you reach the last message.
Selecting Multiple Non-Consecutive Messages
To select multiple non-consecutive messages, tap and hold on the first message, tap on the remaining messages to select them while releasing your finger, and release your finger from the last message.
Here is a table that summarizes the steps for massaging multiple messages simultaneously:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open Messenger and navigate to the conversation. |
| 2 | Tap and hold on the first message to select it. |
| 3 | Use different selection techniques to select additional messages. |
| 4 | Tap on the trash can icon. |
| 5 | Confirm deletion by tapping on “Delete.” |
Using a Computer
1. Open Messenger in a web browser. Go to www.messenger.com and sign in with your Facebook account.
2. Select the message or conversation you want to delete. In the sidebar on the left, click on the conversation you want to delete. The messages will appear in the main window.
3. Click on the “Actions” button. This button is located in the top-right corner of the main window. A drop-down menu will appear.
4. Select “Delete Conversation” from the drop-down menu. The conversation will be deleted from your Messenger account. If you only want to delete a specific message within a conversation, hover over the message and click on the “X” that appears in the top-right corner of the message.
Note: Once you delete a conversation or message, it cannot be recovered. If you accidentally delete a conversation or message, you can try to recover it by following these instructions:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to the Messenger Help Center.www.messenger.com/help |
| 2 | Click on “Deleted Messages” in the left sidebar. |
| 3 | Click on the “Recover Messages” button. |
| 4 | Select the conversations or messages you want to recover and click on the “Recover” button. |
Utilizing Mobile Devices
For iPhone and Android users, the process of deleting messages in Messenger is slightly different from the desktop version. Here are the steps:
- Open the Messenger app: Locate the Messenger icon on your home screen or app drawer and tap on it to launch the application.
- Access the conversation: Navigate to the conversation thread containing the messages you want to delete. Tap on the name of the contact or group at the top of the screen to open the conversation.
- Select the messages: Long-press on the message or messages you wish to delete. A blue checkmark will appear next to the selected messages.
- Tap the “Delete” option: Once the messages are selected, tap on the “Delete” icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Confirm deletion: A confirmation pop-up will appear asking you to confirm the deletion. Tap on the “Delete” button again to permanently remove the selected messages.
Additional Options for Deleting Messenger Messages on Mobile Devices
Unsending Messages
If you accidentally send a message and want to remove it from the recipient’s side, you can use the “Unsend” feature within a limited time frame. To unsend a message:
- Long-press on the message you sent.
- Select “Unsend” from the pop-up menu.
Deleting Entire Conversations
To delete an entire conversation from your Messenger app:
- Open the Messenger app and go to the “Chats” tab.
- Swipe left on the conversation you want to delete.
- Tap on the “Delete” button that appears.
Archiving Conversations Instead of Deleting
Archiving conversations does not permanently delete them from your Messenger account. Instead, it moves them to an archive folder, where they can be restored at any time.
To archive a conversation, open it and tap the “Archive” button at the top of the screen. The conversation will be moved to the “Archived” folder, which can be accessed by tapping the “Archived Chats” tab in the Messenger app.
To restore an archived conversation, open the “Archived Chats” folder and tap the “Unarchive” button next to the conversation you want to restore. The conversation will be moved back to your main message list.
Benefits of Archiving Conversations
- Keeps conversations organized and tidy.
- Prevents accidental deletion of important messages.
- Allows easy restoration of conversations if needed.
How to Find Archived Conversations
To find archived conversations, open the Messenger app and tap the “Archived Chats” tab. All of your archived conversations will be listed here.
You can also search for archived conversations by using the search bar at the top of the screen. Simply type in the name of the person or group you want to find, and the search results will include any archived conversations that match your search.
How to Restore Archived Conversations
To restore an archived conversation, open the “Archived Chats” folder and tap the “Unarchive” button next to the conversation you want to restore. The conversation will be moved back to your main message list.
Hide a Chat
Hiding a chat is not the same as deleting it. When you hide a chat, it will disappear from your main chat list but will still be accessible by searching for it. If you decide you want to retrieve the chat, you can find it in your hidden chats folder.
Delete a Message (For You)
If you only want to delete a specific message from your own chat, press and hold on the message until a menu appears. Select “Delete” from the menu to remove the message from your copy of the conversation. Keep in mind that this will not delete the message from the recipient’s chat.
Delete a Message (For Everyone)
To delete a message for everyone in the conversation, you must do so within 10 minutes of sending it. Press and hold on the message and select “Unsend” from the menu. Confirm that you want to unsend the message, and it will be removed from everyone’s chat.
Delete a Conversation
To delete an entire conversation, swipe left on the chat in your main chat list. Tap the “Delete” button that appears, and the conversation will be removed from your device.
Leave a Group Chat
To leave a group chat, open the chat and tap the group name at the top of the screen. Select “Leave Group” from the menu that appears, and you will be removed from the chat.
Delete a Group Chat (If You’re the Admin)
If you are the admin of a group chat, you can delete it by opening the chat and tapping the group name at the top of the screen. Select “Group Settings” from the menu that appears. Scroll down and tap the “Delete Group” button at the bottom of the screen. Confirm that you want to delete the group, and it will be permanently removed from everyone’s devices.
Restoring Deleted Messages (If Possible)
If you have accidentally deleted a message or conversation, there is no guaranteed way to restore it. However, there are some potential methods you can try:
Managing Hidden Conversations
Messenger’s “Hidden Conversations” feature allows you to archive chats to keep your inbox clutter-free. Here’s how to hide and unhide conversations:
Hiding Conversations
1. Open the Messenger app and find the conversation you want to hide.
2. Tap and hold the conversation.
3. Select “Hide” from the menu that appears.
Unhiding Conversations
1. Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner of the Messenger app.
2. Scroll down and tap “Hidden Chats.”
3. Select the conversation you want to unhide.
4. Tap “Unhide Conversation.”
Managing Hidden Conversations
To view all hidden conversations at once, tap “Hidden Chats” under your profile picture in the Messenger app. You can also search for hidden conversations by name using the search bar at the top of the Hidden Chats screen.
To delete a hidden conversation, select it from the Hidden Chats screen and tap the “Delete” button that appears at the bottom of the screen.
Table summarizing how to manage hidden conversations:
| Action | Steps |
|---|---|
| Hide a conversation | Tap and hold conversation > Select “Hide” |
| Unhide a conversation | Tap profile picture > Scroll down and tap “Hidden Chats” > Select conversation > Tap “Unhide Conversation” |
| View all hidden conversations | Tap profile picture > Scroll down and tap “Hidden Chats” |
| Search for hidden conversations | Tap profile picture > Scroll down and tap “Hidden Chats” > Use search bar at top |
| Delete a hidden conversation | Tap profile picture > Scroll down and tap “Hidden Chats” > Select conversation > Tap “Delete” |
Deleting Secret Conversations
Deleting secret conversations in Messenger requires slightly different steps compared to regular messages:
1. Open the Chat
Launch Messenger and navigate to the secret conversation you wish to delete.
2. Access Conversation Settings
Tap on the profile icon at the top right corner of the chat window.
3. Select “Delete Conversation”
Scroll down the settings menu and tap on “Delete Conversation.”
4. Confirm Deletion
Messenger will ask for confirmation. Tap on “Delete” again to proceed.
5. Verify Deletion
The secret conversation will be removed from your chat list. You can also check your “Archived Chats” to ensure it has been deleted.
Additional Tips
6. Deleting for All Participants
Secret conversations are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the participants can access the messages. However, when you delete a secret conversation, it is only deleted from your device. Other participants will still have access to the conversation.
7. Restoring Secret Conversations
Deleted secret conversations cannot be restored. Once they are deleted, they are permanently gone.
8. Deleting Multiple Secret Conversations
You can delete multiple secret conversations at once. To do this, tap on the “Edit” button in the chat list, select the conversations you want to delete, and then tap on the “Delete” button.
9. Advanced Deletion Settings
Messenger offers an advanced deletion option called “Delete for Everyone.” This feature allows you to delete messages from the chat history of all participants. However, this option is only available for a limited time after the message was sent. To use “Delete for Everyone,” tap on the message you want to delete, tap on the “Delete” button, and then select “Delete for Everyone” from the menu.
Understanding the Implications of Deletion
Before deleting a message or conversation in Messenger, it’s crucial to understand the implications of doing so. Deleted items are generally not recoverable, so it’s important to weigh the potential consequences before taking action.
1. Archived vs. Deleted
Archiving a message or conversation in Messenger removes it from your primary inbox but keeps it accessible through the “Archived Chats” folder. Deleting an item, on the other hand, permanently removes it from your account and all devices.
2. Retrieval of Deleted Items
Deleted messages and conversations cannot be retrieved, unlike archived items. If you accidentally delete an important message, there is no way to restore it.
3. Impact on Other Participants
When you delete a message or conversation in Messenger, it is also removed from the accounts of other participants in the chat.
4. Loss of Context
Deleting a message or conversation can disrupt the flow of a discussion, making it difficult to follow the thread of the conversation at a later time.
5. Evidentiary Value
Messages and conversations in Messenger can serve as evidence in legal or professional contexts. Deleting such items can have significant consequences.
6. Personal Record
Messenger conversations often contain personal memories, notes, or other valuable information. Deleting them can result in the loss of these records.
7. Loss of History
Deleted messages and conversations cannot be used to retrieve past information, such as contact details, appointment times, or important dates.
8. Recovery of Archived Items
Archived messages and conversations can be retrieved from the “Archived Chats” folder until they are permanently deleted.
9. Selective Deletion
Messenger allows you to delete specific messages within a conversation, preserving the rest of the thread.
10. Deleting Multiple Items
Messenger provides the option to select multiple messages or conversations and delete them simultaneously, saving time and effort.
| Item | Action | Can Be Retrieved |
|---|---|---|
| Archived Message | Move to “Archived Chats” | Yes, from “Archived Chats” |
| Deleted Message | Remove from Account | No |
How to Delete In Messenger
To delete messages in Messenger, follow these steps:
- Open Messenger and go to the message thread you want to delete.
- Tap and hold the message you want to delete.
- Tap the “Delete” option.
- Confirm that you want to delete the message.
You can also delete entire message threads by following these steps:
- Open Messenger and go to your message list.
- Tap and hold the message thread you want to delete.
- Tap the “Delete” option.
- Confirm that you want to delete the message thread.
People Also Ask
What happens if I delete a message in Messenger?
When you delete a message in Messenger, it will be permanently removed from your and the recipient’s devices. However, the recipient may still have a copy of the message if they have backed up their messages to their Facebook account.
Can I recover a deleted message in Messenger?
No, deleted messages cannot be recovered in Messenger.
How can I delete multiple messages in Messenger at once?
To delete multiple messages in Messenger at once, follow these steps:
- Open Messenger and go to the message thread you want to delete.
- Tap the “Select” option.
- Select the messages you want to delete.
- Tap the “Delete” option.
- Confirm that you want to delete the messages.
