How to Delete Instagram Messages (2024 Guide)

Jul. 9, 2024

Sent a risky little message to someone on Instagram that you already regret? Or, are just trying to write a better message? Well, you can actually delete Instagram messages rather easily. The good thing is that Instagram offers the freedom to do so across all platforms. So, whether you are on an Android or iOS device or just the web, here’s how to delete Instagram messages right away!

Can You Delete Instagram Messages from Both Sides

Sadly, Instagram doesn’t offer any option to delete messages from both sides in a chat. You can only unsend a message that you’ve sent and ask the other person to do so. Other than that, there is no option to delete Instagram messages that others have sent you. You can bulk-delete messages that you’ve sent but the feature is only available in Android, and not on iOS.

Unsending a message on Instagram removes all traces of it like it was never sent in the first place. Moreover, this deletes the message from both sides of the chat. This is definitely theeasiest way to delete an Instagram message.

The way to go about it is slightly different on the mobile and web versions. If you want more clarity, take a look at our dedicated guide onhow to unsend a message on Instagram.

However, if it’s something as simple as a typo, you don’t have to unsend the message. Instead, you can simplyedit Instagram messages. We have interlinked our dedicated guide for the same if you want to take a look.

In addition to unsending messages, Android users can also enjoy the ability to delete multiple messages at once. However, do note that it doesn’tunsendthem. Instead, the messages that you have shared with the user (both your messages and the users’) are cleared fromyourside of the chat. With that out of the way, here’s how to go about it:

Instagram’s Vanish Mode feature for chats works much like Facebook’s Disappearing Messages. When enabled,Vanish Mode deletes message(s) automaticallyonce the recipient reads the message. In addition, messages are also deleted automatically when the recipient leaves the chat.

This is a great feature if you want to add an extra layer of protection to your messages, especially since it also notifies you of screenshots. Moreover, it gets rid of the hassle of having to manually delete messages. If you’re wonderinghow to turn on Vanish Mode on Instagram, take a look at our dedicated guide for the same.

During our testing, we found out that there is no option to delete Instagram messages that the other person has sent you from the chat. Instead, what you can do is delete the entire chat to get rid of the messages from both sides. Here is how to do it:

However, note thatdeleting messages or chats on Instagram is a permanent actionand can’t be reversed. So, before you do so, we recommend double-checking always so as not to delete the wrong message by mistake.

Now, if you have any further queries, do drop them in the comments down below!

Sagnik is a tech aficionado who can never say “no” to dipping his toes into unknown waters of tech or reviewing the latest gadgets. He is also a hardcore gamer, having played everything from Snake Xenzia to Dead Space Remake.