How to Delete a WhatsApp Message Without Opening It

Whatsapp is a widely used messaging app that allows users to send and receive text messages, multimedia messages, and video and audio calls. However, there are times when you may want to delete a message without the other person knowing. This article will guide you on how to delete a WhatsApp message without opening it.

There are several ways to delete WhatsApp messages without reading or opening them. On Android or iOS, we have listed all the possible ways with a step-by-step process. Let’s begin.

1. Delete the Entire WhatsApp Chat

One common and easy way to delete an incoming WhatsApp message without opening it is to delete the entire chat history. This method is efficient because you don’t have to open the message. Please note that when you delete the chat, you will also lose the previous chats with the sender.

To do this, open the WhatsApp app on your Android or iOS device.

To delete a chat, follow these steps:

1. Go to the chat you want to delete.

2. Navigate to it.

3. Delete the chat.

Step 3: Long-press the chat and click the trashcan icon.

Note: On iOS, tap Delete Chat from the options list.

Step 4: In the prompt, select Delete Chat to confirm.

There you go. You deleted a WhatsApp message without reading it. If you want, you can undo deleted messages on WhatsApp. However, if you don’t want to delete the whole chat to read one, move on to the next method.

2. Use Airplane Mode

This method is a workaround to delete an incoming WhatsApp message without opening it or the other person knowing. We will be using Airplane mode to disable WhatsApp’s internet access temporarily to delete the message. Follow the steps below. Step 1: Before you start, make sure you have closed WhatsApp and the app is not running in the background.

Step 2: Go to your phone’s settings and select ‘Connection & sharing.’

Note: On iOS, go to Settings.

Step 3: Toggle on Airplane mode.

Note: On iOS, toggle on Airplane Mode.

Step 4: Open the WhatsApp app on your phone.

Step 5: Locate and open the chat message.

Step 6: Long-press the message and tap the trashcan icon to delete it. On iOS, long-press the message, select delete, and tap the trashcan icon.

Step 7: Tap ‘Delete for me’ to confirm.

Step 8: Delete the message and close WhatsApp, ensuring it is not running in the background.

Step 9: Finally, turn off Airplane mode.

There you go. You have deleted the WhatsApp message without the other person knowing. Although this method is rock solid, sometimes it may fail due to background processes running. Hence, you may jump to the next method to safely delete the message without reading it for any issues or errors.

3. Using Disappearing Messages

WhatsApp introduced the disappearing message feature for added privacy and security. This feature allows you to automatically delete messages after a set period of time. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your Android or iOS device.

Step 2: Navigate to the chat where you want to activate the disappearing messages feature.

Step 3: Tap the contact name and select Disappearing messages.

Step 4: In the disappearing messages screen, choose your preferred period between 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.

Note: If you don’t want to delete the message without viewing it, set the time period to 24 hours.

This setting ensures that messages delete after 24 hours without being opened. However, it only applies to future messages, not those you’ve already received. If you prefer not to modify this setting but still want to delete a WhatsApp message without opening it, try the next method.

4. Deactivate Read Receipts

Deactivating read receipts allows you to maintain privacy and read messages at your convenience without others knowing that you have read them. Follow these steps to disable read receipts.

Note: Disabling read receipts will also prevent you from knowing when others have read your messages.

On Android

Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your Android device.

Step 2: Tap on the three vertical dots at the top right corner and choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: From the Settings screen, select Account and choose Privacy.

Step 4: Under Privacy, toggle off Read receipts.

This setting only affects future messages, not ones that you have already received or read. Therefore, you need to delete the message and follow the steps below.

Step 5: Find the chat and long-press the message to select it, then tap the trashcan icon to delete the message.

Step 6: Select ‘Delete chat’ in the prompt that asks, ‘Delete this chat?’

Note: You can also choose to check the box that says ‘Also delete media received in these chats from the device gallery.’

On iOS

Step 1: Open WhatsApp.

Step 2: Go to Settings tab from the bottom navigation bar.

Step 3: Select Privacy.

Step 4: In the Privacy screen, turn off Read Receipts.

The messages you have already received or read won’t be affected by this setting, only those you receive after you change it. Therefore, you’ll need to delete the message. See the next steps. Locate the chat you want to delete, long-press on it, and select Delete Chat.

Step 6: Finally, in the bottom sheet, tap on Delete Chat to confirm.

Successfully deleting a WhatsApp message without reading it is a simple process. If you accidentally send a message or media file to someone and wish to remove it, follow these steps.

How to Delete WhatsApp Messages You Have Sent

Accidental messages occur for various reasons, one being typing errors. Regardless of the cause, they often result in awkward or embarrassing situations. Follow these steps to prevent them:

Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your Android or iOS device.

Step 2: Open the chat and delete the message.

Step 3: Long-press the message and tap on the trashcan icon.

Note: On iOS, long-press the message, select delete, and tap on the trashcan icon.

Delete for Everyone.

You have deleted the message you sent mistakenly. If you have any unanswered queries, please refer to the FAQ section.

FAQs on Deleting a WhatsApp Message Without Opening It

1. Deleting for everyone means the message will be removed from both the sender’s and recipient’s chat window. However, it doesn’t guarantee that the recipient hadn’t already seen the message. There is no way to know if the message or notification was already seen by the other user.

2. If you delete a message with one tick, it means the message hasn’t been received by the recipient’s device. If the one tick remains for a few days and you still can’t see the recipient’s profile picture, it’s possible that the recipient has blocked you on WhatsApp.

Get Rid of Unwanted Messages

Now that you know how to delete a WhatsApp message without opening it, go ahead and delete the message. If you were unable to do so, check out our guide on why you can’t delete WhatsApp messages for everyone.