Quick Answer
No, clearing a WhatsApp chat on your device does not clear the chat for the other person as well. When you clear a chat in WhatsApp, it only removes the messages from your view of the chat. The other person can still see the entire chat history on their device.
Explanation
WhatsApp chats are stored locally on each user’s device. When you send a message on WhatsApp, it is sent to the recipient’s device and stored there. Likewise, when you receive a message, it is stored locally in the chat history on your own device.
So when you clear a chat, you are only removing the local copy of the chat from your own device. The messages still exist on the other person’s device in their local WhatsApp storage.
This means that if you clear a chat, the other person will still have the entire chat history visible on their end. They can scroll up and see all the previous messages you may have deleted.
Clearing the chat does not sync across devices or delete the chat for anyone else. It simply removes the messages from your own view of the chat.
Does the other person get notified when you clear a chat?
No, WhatsApp does not notify the other person when you clear a chat. There is no indication given to the recipient that you have cleared the chat history on your end.
So if you clear a chat, the other person has no way of knowing unless they specifically check their own chat history. WhatsApp provides no messaging or notifications when someone clears a chat thread.
Is there any way to delete a WhatsApp chat for both people?
Since WhatsApp chats are stored locally on each device, the only way to truly delete a chat for both parties is to manually delete the messages from both devices.
There is no built-in WhatsApp feature that lets you remotely clear or delete the chat from the other person’s device. You would need physical access to their phone to open WhatsApp and delete the messages.
The closest available option is to uninstall WhatsApp, which deletes all local data. However, this would only remove the chat from your own device. The other person would still have the messages if they still have WhatsApp installed.
When does a WhatsApp chat get deleted for both people?
There are a couple scenarios in which a WhatsApp chat will be deleted for both you and the recipient:
- If either person uninstalls WhatsApp entirely, the local chat history is deleted. However, it is not removed from the other person’s device.
- If you delete your WhatsApp account, your chats will be deleted from WhatsApp servers after 30 days and can no longer be restored.
- If either device runs out of storage space, WhatsApp may automatically clear older chats that have not been backed up.
- Chats are deleted for both parties if you block a contact. This prevents further messaging but does not delete existing chats.
In summary, the only way a WhatsApp chat is permanently deleted for both people is if the app is uninstalled or the account is deleted. Simply clearing messages on one device does not remove them from the recipient’s chat history.
Can you recover cleared WhatsApp chats?
If you accidentally clear a WhatsApp chat, there are a few ways you may be able to recover the deleted messages:
Retrieving from a recent backup
WhatsApp automatically backs up chats at regular intervals. So you can restore cleared chats from your most recent backup. Just uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then restore from the backup during setup.
Using third-party data recovery apps
Some advanced data recovery apps for Android and iOS can retrieve residual WhatsApp chat data even after it’s been cleared from the app. They scan your phone’s storage for chat message traces.
Restoring from Google Drive or iCloud backup
WhatsApp chats are included in Android and iOS device backups to Google Drive and iCloud respectively. You may be able to restore deleted WhatsApp chats from further back by restoring one of these system-level device backups.
Retrieving from the notification log
If you have recently received notifications from the chat you cleared, you can long press on the notification to open the message options. This may allow you to retrieve some recently cleared messages.
Tips for clearing WhatsApp chats
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when clearing WhatsApp chats:
- Clear chats selectively – You can delete specific chats instead of clearing your entire message history.
- Back up chats first – Ensure your chat history is backed up so you can restore if needed.
- Turn off auto-backup – Temporarily disable auto-backup so cleared chats are not synced and stored.
- Delete media too – When clearing chats, look for the option to also delete attached media files.
- Erase from both devices – To fully delete a chat, clear messages from both your device and your recipient’s device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing a chat on WhatsApp delete it from the server?
No, clearing a chat only deletes it from your local storage. The messages still exist on WhatsApp servers until the account is deleted.
If I delete a chat, will the other person see that I deleted messages?
No, there is no indication if chats are cleared. The other person will not know you deleted messages unless they check their own chat history.
Can I selectively delete certain messages in a chat?
Yes, you can long press on specific messages to delete them instead of clearing the entire chat history. This removes only those messages you selected.
Is clearing chats the same as deleting chats?
Clearing and deleting chats have the same effect of removing messages from your local device storage. However, the chat still exists for the recipient until it is deleted from their device as well.
If I delete a chat, will the other person still see my profile photo?
Yes, clearing or deleting chats does not remove you as a contact. The recipient will still see your profile photo and be able to message you again.
Conclusion
Clearing a WhatsApp chat only deletes the messages from your local device storage. It does not remove them from the recipient’s chat history or notify them in any way. The only way to fully delete a chat for both parties is to uninstall WhatsApp or delete your account. Cleared chats may still be retrievable from device backups as well.