What Happens When You Delete a Chat on Instagram
Want to delete an Instagram chat with your ex but not sure if it’ll be completely deleted or stay on their phone? How to delete the chat so it just disappears? Let’s clear the air: here’s what happens when you delete an entire chat on Instagram.
Table of Contents
Deleting Instagram Messages: Unsend vs. Delete Chat
Instagram currently offers two ways to delete your messages. Here’s what they mean:
a) Unsend a Message
Unsending a message removes it from the chat history for you and the recipient. It even disappears from their notification, meaning they won’t see it as long as they haven’t seen it before you unsend it.
Thankfully, Instagram doesn’t have a time limit for unsending direct messages. You can remove messages sent weeks, months, or even years ago. The message is removed from the chat history as if it was never sent.
To unsend a message:Open the chat, long-press on the message, and tapUnsend.
Tip:If you want to preserve important messages, consider using email. On Instagram, the other party can unsend their message, even if you quoted it in your reply (since the entire message thread disappears).
b)Delete a Chat
Deleting a chat on Instagram removes the entire conversation from your Instagram inbox only. The chat and its messages remain untouched for the other person involved. They won’t be notified and can still see the complete chat history.
To delete a chat:Open your Instagram inbox. If you’re using an iPhone, swipe left on the chat. On Android phones, long-press on the chat. Then, chooseDeleteand confirm when prompted.
In Short, Here’s What Happens When You Delete a Chat
When you delete an entire chat on Instagram (instead of unsending messages):
Options Beyond Deleting and Unsending
While deleting and unsending messages are handy options, here are other ways to manage your Instagram messages effectively.
Can You Unsend an Entire Instagram Chat?
Instagram doesn’t currently offer a way to unsend an entire chat. This means you may’t magically make all those messages disappear from the other person’s phone (unless you have their phone or unsend each message individually).
There are third-party services and scripts (likeInstagram Mass UnsenderorInstagram Helper) that claim to bulk-unsend Instagram messages but we’ll advise caution when trying them. These often violate theterms of useand could potentially compromise your account’s security.
Ritik Singh
With over 7 years of experience in tech, Ritik currently heads content at Techwiser.com. His journey started by sharing knowledge and helping others in online communities. That passion soon turned into a career in tech journalism, backed by a formal education in Electronic Media. He’s held editorial roles at GadgetsToUse and PC-Tablet, and has contributed to popular publications like HowToGeek and TheWindowsClub. With over 2,000 how-tos, reviews, and in-depth guides under his belt, Ritik has helped millions of readers get more out of their tech—from smartphones to smart homes.
Is New Camera Coach Feature on Pixel 10 Worth The…
What’s Coming and Leaving Hulu Soon (August 2025)
What’s Coming to Apple TV+ in August 2025
Today’s Jumble Answers (June 28, 2025)
Longest Snapchat Streak (August 2025) – And How to Keep…
Samsung One UI Status Bar Icons and Symbols Meaning
Safari Icons and Symbols Meaning – Complete Guide
What Do Icons and Symbols Mean on Slack? Complete Guide
Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) Icons and Symbols Meaning? Complete Guide
What Do Icons and Symbols Mean on OkCupid? Complete Guide
You must belogged into post a comment.
