What should you know before deleting your WhatsApp account?
Deleting your WhatsApp account is an important action that has permanent consequences. Here's what happens when you delete your account.
You lose everything with no possible return:
- All your conversations disappear
- Your profile is deleted
- Your groups are deleted
- Your WhatsApp contacts are lost
- Backups become unusable
WhatsApp does not keep a copy of your data. Once deleted, it is impossible to recover your messages, even by contacting support. Your profile also disappears from your friends' contact lists.
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A piece of advice : If some conversations are important, back up before deleting your account. It is the only way to keep track of your exchanges. This decision is final. Take time to think and save what matters to you before doing the cleaning.
Go below if you want to see the procedure for Android
Method to delete WhatsApp account on Android
If you're using WhatsApp on an Android device, the steps to delete your account are pretty easy.
Here's how to delete your WhatsApp account:
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- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Press the menu button (the three vertical dots) at the top right of the screen.
- In the dropdown menu, press”
Settings
“and press”Account
“. - In the account menu, you will see the “Delete my account” option at the very bottom. Press it.
- You will then have to enter your phone number in the international format and press”
DELETE MY ACCOUNT
“. - WhatsApp will then ask you to say why you want to delete your account in your case.
- Select the reason from the dropdown menu and press”
DELETE MY ACCOUNT
“. - Last time WhatsApp will ask you to confirm that you want to delete your account. Press “DELETE MY ACCOUNT” to confirm.
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Method to delete WhatsApp account on iPhone
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For iPhone users, the steps are slightly different.
Here's how to delete your account:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Press the icon”
Settings
“ - In the settings menu, press”
Account
“. - In the account menu, you will see the option”
Clear my account
“. - Press it.
- You will then have to enter your phone number in the international format and press”
Delete my account
“. - WhatsApp will then ask you to say why you want to delete your account for your case.
- Select the reason from the dropdown menu and press”
DELETE MY ACCOUNT
“. - WhatsApp will ask you one last time to confirm that you want to delete your account. Press”
DELETE MY ACCOUNT
“to confirm.
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What should I do after deleting WhatsApp?
1. How to get your messages back
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Did you make a backup before deleting WhatsApp? Great! You will be able to find your conversations again. It's like making a photocopy of your messages before deleting them.
To retrieve them, here is where to look according to your phone:
- On android : look in Google Drive
- On iPhone : check in iCloud
- On Windows Phone : search in OneDrive
Don't be afraid, it's simple: when you reinstall WhatsApp, the application offers to restore your messages. One click is enough!
2. Other apps to chat
WhatsApp is not the only application for talking to your loved ones. Here are the best tested and approved alternatives:
- Signal : perfect if you value your privacy
- Telegram : lots of fun options like stickers
- Messenger : handy if you use Facebook
- Session : ideal for remaining anonymous
- Discord : great for groups of friends
The most important thing? Choose the one your friends and family are already using.
3. Go back to WhatsApp
Do you want to go back to WhatsApp? No problem! You can create a new account using your old phone number. But beware, a few important points: What is changing:
- Your old messages don't come back by themselves
- Your friends don't know you're back
- You have to join all your groups again
- All your settings are reset to zero
A practical tip: send a text message to your loved ones to let them know that you are back on WhatsApp. They will be happy to know!
In conclusion, after deleting its services, several options are available to you.
You can recover your information if you have saved each chat on Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, use any other messaging application, or create a new account.
Conclusion
Deleting WhatsApp has definitive consequences. Your chats, photos, and contacts will be lost forever. A return to the past will be impossible.
The key things to do before deleting:
- Keep a copy of your important email conversations
- Note the contacts that you use often
- Tell your loved ones How else to reach you
WhatsApp takes time to delete everything: 90 days to completely empty their servers. Sent messages stay on your contacts' phones - impossible to delete them remotely.
WhatsApp support helps if needed, but can't recover a deleted account.
It is better to be well prepared and have a plan for communicating differently. Deleting is technically simple, but the consequences are permanent.