Deleting an entire Messenger conversation can be useful for clearing out old chats or conversations you no longer need. Here are the steps to delete an entire conversation on both desktop and mobile.
Deleting a conversation on desktop
Deleting a conversation from the Facebook Messenger website is straightforward:
- Open Messenger in your browser and select the conversation you want to delete.
- Click on the name of the person or group at the top of the chat window.
- Scroll down and click on “Delete Conversation”.
- Confirm that you want to delete the conversation.
Once you delete the conversation, it will be removed from your message inbox. Keep in mind other participants in the conversation will still have access to the chat history from their account.
Deleting a conversation on mobile
To delete a Messenger conversation from the mobile app:
- Open the Messenger app and select the conversation you want to delete.
- Tap on the name of the person or group at the top of the chat.
- Scroll down and tap “Delete Conversation”.
- Confirm that you want to delete the chat.
The conversation will be deleted from your Messages list. As on desktop, other people involved in the chat will still have access to the conversation.
Permanently deleting a conversation
When you delete a Messenger conversation, it is removed from your message inbox but the chat history still exists in Facebook’s database. If you want to permanently delete a conversation so that it is erased from Facebook’s servers, that is possible but a bit more complex.
Here is how to permanently delete a Messenger conversation:
- Delete the conversation from your Messages using the steps above.
- Go to your Facebook settings and select “Your Facebook Information”.
- Under “Download Your Information”, click “View”.
- Select “Messages” and click “Create File”.
- Wait for Facebook to compile your message data into a downloadable file.
- When ready, download your messages file from Facebook.
- Open the file and find the conversation you want to delete.
- Permanently delete the conversation content from the file on your device.
- Upload and replace the modified file back to Facebook.
This will overwrite your existing message data in Facebook’s system and remove the unwanted conversation for good. Do keep in mind that if any other participants downloaded their message history, they may still have records of the conversation on their end.
Deleting messages on E2EE chats
On Messenger chats that use end-to-end encryption (E2EE), deleting messages is a bit different. E2EE chats have enhanced security such that only you and the recipients have access to the conversation.
To delete messages in an E2EE chat:
- Open the individual or group E2EE chat.
- Tap and hold on the message you want to delete.
- Select “Remove for Everyone” to permanently delete the message.
The message will be deleted for all participants in the E2EE chat. This is more secure than deleting regular Messenger messages, which can still be recovered from Facebook’s server.
Limitations of deleting Facebook messages
While it is possible to delete Messenger conversations and messages, keep in mind that Facebook may still retain some data:
- Deleted conversations remain on Facebook’s servers until overwritten.
- Messages you delete could have already been seen by recipients.
- Other participants may have backups or records of the chat.
- Facebook may use conversation data in an anonymized way even after deletion.
For the best assurance nothing you want to delete will not be accessed again, avoid sending it over Messenger in the first place. Use a more secure and ephemeral messaging platform if you require messages to truly disappear after sending.
FAQs about deleting Messenger chats
Can you recover a deleted Facebook message?
If you delete a Messenger conversation or message by accident, it may be possible to recover it. Deleted conversations and messages can remain on Facebook’s servers for up to 90 days. You can attempt to restore conversations from your Messenger trash folder. For messages, you may be able to find a transcript in your downloaded Facebook data. However, there is no guarantee you can retrieve deleted Messenger content.
How long do deleted Messenger messages stay on server?
When you delete a Messenger conversation or message, it sticks around on Facebook’s servers for up to 90 days. This gives you a window to potentially recover deleted chats and messages. However, Facebook may delete conversation data at any time within the 90 day period. So don’t count on deleted Messenger content staying on the server.
Can you permanently delete Facebook messages?
Yes, it is possible to permanently delete Messenger conversations and messages from Facebook’s server so they cannot be recovered. You need to delete the conversation from your inbox, download your Facebook information, delete the conversation from the messages file, and re-upload the modified data. This overwrites the data on Facebook’s end and erases it for good.
Do all participants have to agree to delete a Messenger chat?
No, you can delete a Messenger conversation just from your own inbox without other participants agreeing or being notified. However, the chat will still exist and remain visible to the other people involved. To fully remove a conversation such that no one has access, every participant would need to individually delete it from their accounts.
Can you delete Messenger messages after 60 days?
Yes, Messenger allows you to delete conversations and messages older than 60 days. While Facebook may retain data for up to 90 days after deletion, you are able to actively delete Messenger content regardless of how old it is, as long as the conversation still exists in your inbox.
Conclusion
Deleting Messenger conversations and messages can be done from your inbox or through your downloaded Facebook data, but limitations exist. While you can remove chats from view and overwrite Facebook’s records, other participants may still have the conversation saved. For more permanent removal of sensitive information, consider not sending it through Messenger to begin with.