In today’s digital age, instant messaging has become an integral part of our lives.
And WhatsApp continues as one of the most popular platforms for staying connected with friends, family, and colleagues – its user-friendly interface and wide range of features, makes communication a breeze.
However, with the constant influx of messages and media, chat clutter can become overwhelming over time. Whether you want to declutter your inbox or ensure your privacy, knowing how to delete a WhatsApp chat is a valuable skill.
How to delete a chat on WhatsApp
We’re using an iOS device for the purposes of this tutorial, but the process is very similar on Android:
Open WhatsApp
Artur Tomala / Foundry
To begin, launch the WhatsApp application on your Android or iOS device. Look for the familiar green icon with a phone receiver inside it. If you can’t find it on your home screen, check your app drawer or search for “WhatsApp” using your device’s search function.
Long-press the chat you want to delete
Artur Tomala / Foundry
From the main screen of WhatsApp, you’ll see a list of your recent conversations with both individuals and groups. Locate the chat that you wish to delete from this list.
To initiate the deletion process, long-press (tap and hold) on the chat for a few seconds. After a moment, you’ll notice that the chat is highlighted or selected, and a menu with various options will appear at the top of the screen.
Select “Delete Chat” and confirm the deletion
Artur Tomala / Foundry
Once you have long-pressed the chat, a menu with options will appear at the top of the screen. Among these options, you will find “Delete Chat.” Tap on this option to proceed with the deletion.
WhatsApp will then prompt you to confirm the action. If your phone automatically saves received photos, videos and other media to your gallery, you may also see the option to delete this before confirming. Check the box if you’d like to do this.
To finalise the deletion, tap “Delete” or “Delete Chat,” depending on your device’s interface.
Upon confirming, everything will be deleted. Remember, this can’t be undone, so be certain that you want to delete the chat before proceeding.
If you’d just prefer it to stop taking up space on the homepage, archive it instead. That way, everything can be kept without adding too much clutter.
Following these steps ensures you can easily manage your WhatsApp conversations, keeping your chat list organised. Deleting chats can be especially helpful when you need to free up storage space or maintain your privacy by erasing sensitive information from your device.
Related articles
Author: Artur Tomala, Mobile Writer, Tech Advisor
Artur is a Mobile Writer at Tech Advisor, where he covers a range of smartphone, tablet and smartwatch-related topics. He has been working in the tech industry since 2021, including time spent leading a team focused on mobile news, reviews and product rankings. As an ambassador for the productivity app Notion, he runs training workshops and creates advanced templates to help people stay organised and productive.