WhatsApp's New Accidental Delete Feature Lets You Undo 'Delete For Me' So You Can 'Delete For All' Instead

WhatsApp has rolled out a new group chat feature that lets you undo the "Delete for Me" action, to avoid potentially embarrassing scenarios where you accidentally delete a message only for yourself instead of removing it from the conversation for everyone.

whatsapp accidental delete
Called "Accidental Delete," the new feature adds a five-second window to let users reverse an unintentional Delete for Me action and completely delete it from the group chat.

Previously, if you accidentally tapped Delete for Me, there was no way to undo it, leaving the message inaccessible to you but freely viewable to everyone else. By introducing a small time window to roll back the action, Accidental Delete aims to help users avoid such situations.

WhatsApp says the new feature is available to all users on Android and iOS.

WhatsApp introduced the ability to delete and revoke messages up to seven minutes after they've been sent in October 2017. WhatsApp later extended the time window in which users can delete a message they already sent to a person or group to over an hour.

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
vision pro video recording

WSJ: Some Apple Vision Pro Buyers 'Feel Total Regret'

Friday May 16, 2025 7:43 am PDT by
Apple's Vision Pro headset has left many early adopters expressing dissatisfaction over its weight, limited use cases, and sparse software ecosystem, according to a new article from The Wall Street Journal. In the year following the device's launch, user feedback suggests that it has failed to meet expectations for comfort, software support, and social acceptance. In interviews conducted by T...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Could Debut Advanced Silicon Battery Tech

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00 am PDT by
The upcoming all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air could become the first Apple smartphone to adopt advanced battery technology, with Japanese supplier TDK preparing to ship its new generation of silicon-anode batteries by the end of June. According to DigiTimes, TDK CEO Noboru Saito revealed in a recent interview that the Apple supplier has accelerated its production timeline, moving shipments...
iOS 18 Siri Personal Context

Apple Will Reportedly Be More Cautious About Announcing New Features Well in Advance

Sunday May 18, 2025 2:50 pm PDT by
Apple plans to mostly stop announcing new features more than a few months before they are ready to launch, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Drake Bennett. The pair of reporters revealed this noteworthy tidbit towards the bottom of a lengthy report about Apple's artificial intelligence shortcomings today. This alleged change in strategy comes after Apple was forced to delay its more...

Top Rated Comments

Shafa Avatar
32 months ago
I don't really see the point in 'delete for me' feature except to manufacture a complete fabricated chat history. Why not just delete for all or nothing?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
peneaux Avatar
32 months ago
I use Signal and try to stay away from WhatsApp. Unfortunately a lot of people use it. I had to use a burner phone to register because I don't want Facebook to know who I message and get my phone number from someone else's contacts. I use it without giving access to my contacts list.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Burger Thing Avatar
32 months ago
WhatsApp wipes the floor with iMessages. It is so far ahead in its feature set and usability, it makes me really sad. And no, I don't like Meta and yes, I wish iMessage was a viable alternative used worldwide.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mystery hill Avatar
32 months ago

I don't really see the point in 'delete for me' feature except to manufacture a complete fabricated chat history. Why not just delete for all or nothing?
Deleting videos and photos from WhatsApp chats when your phone is running low on space.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mystery hill Avatar
32 months ago

WhatsApp really needs the option to choose a different background colour for every chat. That reduces the likelihood to send a message to the wrong person.
WhatsApp already has an option to set a custom background for different chats. The setting can be found in the ‘Contact Info’ section.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sparky1499 Avatar
32 months ago
I just want an iPad app.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)