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.
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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 tap Unsend.
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, choose Delete and 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):
- On your end: The entire conversation disappears.
- On their end: The chat and messages remain unchanged. They won’t be notified and will still see the full conversation history.
Options Beyond Deleting and Unsending
While deleting and unsending messages are handy options, here are other ways to manage your Instagram messages effectively.
- Edit Messages: You can edit messages you’ve sent within 15 minutes of sending them. This allows you to fix typos or make minor changes.
- Disappearing Photos and Videos: Send photos and videos that disappear after being viewed by the recipient. This can be a good option for sharing sensitive content.
- Vanish Mode: Use Vanish Mode for chats that disappear entirely once you and the other person close the chat window.
Can You Unsend an Entire Instagram Chat?
Instagram doesn’t currently offer a way to unsend an entire chat. This means you can’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 (like Instagram Mass Unsender or Instagram Helper) that claim to bulk-unsend Instagram messages but we’ll advise caution when trying them. These often violate the terms of use and could potentially compromise your account’s security.
