This wikiHow teaches you how to delete both single messages and entire conversations in the Facebook Messenger app for iPhone and Android smartphones. Deleting a message or conversation from your Messenger app does not remove the message or conversation from the other recipient's (or recipients') Messenger app(s).
Further reading
Let’s face it, we’ve all said things online we wish we could take back, whether it be not-so-nice gossip or messages sent to the wrong recipient. Thanks to a recent Facebook Messenger update, the long-awaited ability to delete messages for both parties is finally available. While not fool-proof, quick action usually means your message won’t be seen on the other side of the conversation.
You can also archive and delete entire threads you no longer wish to look at. Deleting Facebook messages on your desktop or mobile device takes mere seconds, but deleting whole threads only applies to your own inbox, not your friends. Here’s how to do it:
Deleting messages on your desktop
Step 1: Log into Facebook like you normally would.
Step 2: Click the chat bubble in the upper-right corner, followed by See All in Messenger. The latter option is located in the bottom left.
Step 3: To delete an entire message thread, hover over the conversation and click the cog icon in the bottom-right corner. Afterward, hit Delete.
Step 4: You will then be presented with three options: Cancel, Delete, or Archive. Click Delete to continue.
Step 5: To delete a part of your conversation, click into the conversation and hover over the message you would like to delete. Then, click the three horizontal dots and press Remove.
Step 6: If it’s been less than 10 minutes since you’ve sent the message, you will then be given the option to remove the message for everyone or just for yourself. Once you’ve made your selection, press remove.
The person on the other end of the conversation will be able to see that you removed a message if you chose the for everyone option, but the content will no longer be available. If it’s been more than ten minutes, you’ll only be able to remove the message for yourself.
Deleting messages on your mobile device
Step 1: If you haven’t already, download the Messenger app for either iOS or Android, and log in as you normally would.
Step 2: If you want to delete an entire conversation, hold down the thread or swipe to the left and select the red trash can. You will be given the option to hide the chat or delete it permanently.
Hidden chats can still be found using the search bar at the top of the home page, but you won’t be able to see them in your lists of chats until you send another message.
Step 3: If you just want to delete a single message, go into the conversation, hold down the message you want to delete, and select Remove at the bottom.
If it’s been less than 10 minutes since you’ve sent the message, you will then be given the option to remove the message for everyone or just for yourself. Once you’ve made your selection, press remove. The person on the other end of the conversation will be able to see that you removed a message if you chose the for everyone option, but the content will no longer be available. If it’s been more than ten minutes, you’ll only be able to remove the message for yourself.
Editors' Recommendations
When seeking to clear your chat history on Facebook or Messenger, you must make a decision between one of two actions: removing a specific message or deleting the entire history of your conversations between you and another person on Facebook.
You may want to delete just one message (or a few) out of your entire history. Or you may want to clear your chat history to start a new conversation without the distraction of old text hovering above, or to hide the information from potentially prying eyes.
In either case, we'll show you what steps to take depending on whether you're working on a computer or a mobile device like your phone or tablet.
How to Permanently Delete Facebook Messages
One warning in advance, however: unlike some messaging apps, deleting Facebook messages or clearing your history does not remove the message from other people's history. If you've sent an embarrassing message to a friend and deleted that message from your chat history, your friend still has a copy. The best bet is to never say anything via a message — or anywhere online — that you would not want as part of the permanent record.
If you're deleting Facebook messages to clear out the conversation list, keep in mind that you can always use the archive feature for that. That way, the messages won't be permanently removed, but they will be cleared away from the main list of conversations.
Permanently Delete Facebook Chat History Using a Computer
- Clickthe Messages icon at the top right of the screen. It's the one between the buttons for friend requests and notifications.
- Click the message thread you want to permanently delete so that it pops up at the bottom of the screen.You can also open all the threads at once with the See All in Messengerlink at the bottom of the pop-up, but if you do that, skip down to item 2 below.
- Use the small gear icon next to that window's exit button (called Options if you hover your mouse over it) to open a new menu.
- When asked to Delete This Entire Conversation?, choose Delete Conversation.
- Use these steps to delete entire Facebook messages from Messenger.com or Facebook.com/messages/.
How to Permanently Delete Messenger.com Chat History
- Click the Delete option.
- If you're interested in removing only specific messages you've sent, or messages someone sent you, do this:
- Click Delete again when you're asked to confirm.
- The messages you selected are permanently deleted.
Remove Only Specific Facebook Messages
If you're interested in removing only specific messages you've sent, or messages someone sent you, do this:
- Locate the message you want to be deleted.
- Hover your mouse over it so that you can see a small menu show up. What you're looking for is a button that's made up of three small horizontal dots. If you're deleting a Facebook message that you sent them, the menu will show up to the left of the message. If you're wanting to remove something they sent you, look to the right.
- Click the small menu button and then hit Delete once, and then again if you're sure you want it deleted.
Use the Messenger App to Permanently Delete Facebook Chat History
Follow this first set of instructions to delete an entire message in Facebook Messenger:
- Open the Messenger app on your mobile device.
- Tap and hold on the conversation you want to be deleted.
- Choose Delete from the pop-up menu.
- Choose Delete from the pop-up menu.
- Confirm it with the Delete Conversation option.