WhatsApp introduces Delete for Everyone feature

WhatsApp will now feature a delete or recall function that can be used to stop embarrassing and erroneous messages from reaching the intended recipient(s) that users might send occasionally. The chat app's new feature called Delete For everyone essentially also recall or deletion of a message after sending it.

Users have been eagerly looking forward for this feature which has been in the news for nearly a year now. After the release of the beta version for Window Phones, the feature from today is available for Android, iOS and Windows phone users.

It may be noted that the Delete For Everyone or in other words message recall will be available for Android and iPhone users. The feature will not work on phones with Symbian OS as WhatsApp has already ended the support for Nokia Symbian OS and BlackBerry OS. The feature will work only with the version of WhatsApp that will support the new feature. Also the sender and recipient need to be on the same version of WhatsApp, namely the beta versions of WhatsApp numbered: v2.17.399 and v2.17.400.

WhatsApp suggests the feature will work best when a message is recalled within 7 minutes of sending it. Once the message has been deleted a user will see "this message has been deleted" in place of the message.

WhatsApp informed its users saying "Deleting messages for everyone allows you to delete specific messages you have sent to either a group or an individual chat. This is particularly useful if you sent a message to the wrong chat or if the message you sent contains a mistake."

The feature is said to work with text, images, voice messages, locations, contacts and status updates. Recipients will see the message 'This message was deleted' in their chat. The message would be deleted for all chat participants.