How to Delete Old Messages on Facebook Messenger From Both Sides

Quick Tips

• You can unsend messages, delete one or more messages, or delete all messages from both sides on Facebook Messenger.
• To unsend a message, long-press the message → Unsend → choose Unsend for everyone → OK.
• To delete an entire conversation, swipe left the chat → More → Delete.

Can You Permanently Delete Facebook Messages From Both Sides?

Unless you’re exchanging disappearing messages, the conversations on Facebook Messenger will stay forever. Thankfully, you can unsend or retract Facebook Messenger messages in a few steps.

And there are multiple ways to eliminate messages from your chat history. You can:

• Unsend messages: deleting them for both sides.
• Delete one or more messages: removing it from only your chat history.
• Delete all messages: clearing chat history from only your side.

Permanently Delete Facebook Messages From Both Sides

As said earlier, you can unsend all messages on Messenger. However, there are a few things to know first.

• When you delete an old message from Facebook Messenger chat, the receiver will be notified that you unsent a message.
• Additionally, the chat will show a ‘You unsent a message’ (in your chat) and ‘X unsent a message’ (in their chat) in the place of the deleted message.

• Even if you delete the message, Facebook can retrieve it if the conversation is reported within 14 days after being unsent.

Note: Initially, Facebook allowed you to delete old messages on Messenger from both sides within 10 minutes of sending the message. However, the platform now allows you to delete old messages on Facebook Messenger from both sides, even after years.

Unsend a Message From the Messenger Mobile App

Step 1: Open the Messenger app → go to the chat → tap and hold the sent message you want to delete

Step 2: Select Unsend or Remove from the contextual menu.

Step 4: Here, you’ll get two options. Select the preferred one.

• Unsend for everyone: Deletes messages from both sides.
• Unsend for you: Delete the message just for you.

Step 5: Tap OK to confirm the action.

Note: You can also delete a received message with the same method. However, it will only be deleted from your chat history. The original sender could still see the message unless they deleted it.

Use the Desktop Messenger App or Facebook Web

Step 1: Open the conversation > click the three-dot icon next to the conversation.

Step 2: Select Remove from the options.

Step 3: Now choose between the following options,

• Unsend for everyone.
• Remove for you.

Step 4: Click Remove.

If using the Messenger desktop app or via the web, you can also eliminate the ‘You unsent a message’ message. However, it will be erased from your chat history. The receiver can still see that you’ve unsent a message.

What’s great is that you can also delete old messages from Instagram messages. However, Instagram doesn’t notify the receiver or replace the message with an unsent message.

Note: To delete all sent messages on Messenger from both sides, select individual messages and repeat the step. You can’t select and delete all in one go, although you can delete the complete conversation.

Delete a Conversation From Facebook Messenger

It’s important to note that when you delete all messages on Messenger or the complete conversation, it isn’t deleted from both sides. It only deletes from your chat history.

Moreover, remember this is a permanent action; you can’t undo or retrieve the chats again. If you wish to hide the chat, archive it.

Erase a Chat Thread From the Facebook Mobile App

Step 1: Open the Messenger app > swipe left on the conversation you want to delete.

Step 2: Tap More > Delete or Delete chat.

Step 3: Select Delete again to confirm.

Delete Conversations From the Desktop App or Web

Step 1: Open Messenger > click the three-dot icon next to the conversation you want to delete.

Step 2: Hit Delete Chat.

Step 3: Select Delete chat again to confirm the action.

FAQs