How to Permanently Delete Facebook Messages

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This wikiHow teaches you how to delete Facebook messages from both the Facebook Messenger app and the Facebook website.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using an iPhone

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    It's a white app with a blue message bubble and white lightning bolt inside.
    • If you aren't signed into Messenger, type in your phone number, tap Continue , and enter your password.
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    It's the house-shaped icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
    • If Messenger opens to a conversation, tap the Back button in the top-left corner of the screen first.
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    If it's an old conversation, you may have to scroll down several times.
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    Doing so will bring up a row of options on the right side of the conversation box.
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    It's the red button on the far-right side of the screen.
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    This option is at the top of the pop-up window that appears after tapping Delete . Doing so will permanently remove the conversation from your message history.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Android

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    It's a white app with a blue message bubble and white lightning bolt inside.
    • If you aren't signed into Messenger, type in your phone number, tap Continue , and enter your password.
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    It's the house-shaped icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
    • If Messenger opens to a conversation, tap the Back button in the top-left corner of the screen first.
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    After a second or so, a window with the heading "Conversation" will pop up.
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    It's the option at the top of the "Conversation" window.
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    Doing so will remove the conversation from your Facebook messages history.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using the Desktop Site

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    Open the Facebook website . If you're logged into Facebook, doing so will open your News Feed.
    • If you aren't logged into Facebook, enter your email address (or phone number) into the top-right corner of the screen and click Log In .
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    It looks like a message bubble with a lightning bolt inside, in the row of options located in the top-right side of the Facebook page.
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    This link is at the bottom of the Messenger drop-down menu. Clicking it will open the Messenger utility.
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    Your conversations are stored on the left side of this page.
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    You should see a small gear icon appear in the bottom-right corner of the selected message.
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    Doing so will open a drop-down menu with several options.
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    It's near the middle of the drop-down menu.
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    You should see this option on the pop-up "Delete Conversation" window. Clicking it will permanently remove your selected conversation from your messages history.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Is it possible to delete the message to prevent the recipient from reading it?
    Community Answer
    No. Once you send a message, you can only delete it from your end. The other person will still be able to open and read your message.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 84 Helpful 65
  • Question
    How do I delete unsolicited group messages from people I do not know?
    Community Answer
    These can sometimes come from a mutual friend. If it really bothers you, look at these people's accounts to see their friends, and un-friend your mutual friend.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Is it possible to recover a deleted message?
    Community Answer
    You cannot recover a deleted message once you have confirmed you want it to be deleted. If the recipient has not yet deleted the conversation on their computer, they are able to read the message and copy/paste it to you manually.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Warnings

      • Make sure you absolutely want to delete a Facebook message before doing so--you won't be able to retrieve it once it's gone.
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