Whether on a mobile device or a desktop computer, you have the option to delete the photos you have sent via Messenger. However, keep in mind that you won't be able to delete the photos from the entire conversation (they will disappear on your side, but not on the side of the person you sent them to). Sometimes they even stay in the "Shared Photos" section of the conversation. In this case, you will need to delete the message that contains the photos in order to be able to delete them.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Delete a photo on a mobile device
Step 1. Open Facebook Messenger
Tap the blue bubble icon with a white lightning bolt on it. If you are signed in to your account, Messenger will open on the list of recent conversations.
If you haven't yet signed in to Messenger, enter your phone number and password before continuing
Step 2. Tap a conversation
Find the conversation that contains the photo you want to delete and tap it to open it.
- If Messenger opens on a page that does not have a conversation, first tap Home at the bottom left of the screen (if you're using an iPhone) or at the top left of the screen (if you're using an Android).
- If Messenger opens to another conversation, first return to the home page by tapping the back button at the top left of the screen.
Step 3. Find the photo
Scroll through the conversation to the photo you want to delete.
You can do the same for videos
Step 4. Long press the photo
A menu will appear at the bottom of the screen (if you are using an iPhone) or in the middle (if you are using an Android).
Step 5. Select Remove
This option is in the menu.
Step 6. Press Remove when prompted
The photo will be deleted from your side of the conversation, but it will still be visible on the side of the person you sent it to as long as they haven't deleted it.
Step 7. Check in the shared content
Deleting a photo in a conversation also removes it from the section Shared photos conversation settings. However, you can check to make sure.
- Tap the person's name at the top of the conversation (if you're using an iPhone) or tap the ⓘ at the top right of the screen (if you are using an Android).
- Scroll down to the section Shared photos.
- Find the photo you want to delete.
- If the photo is still visible in the section Shared photos, close and then relaunch the application to see if it disappears. If not, you will need to delete the entire conversation.
Method 2 of 4: Delete a photo on a desktop
Step 1. Log in to Facebook Messenger
Open this page in your web browser. If you're already signed in to Facebook, Messenger will display the last conversation you had.
- If you are not yet logged in, enter your email address (or phone number) and click Log in.
Step 2. Click on a conversation
Find the conversation that contains the photo you want to delete and click on it to open it.
Step 3. Find the photo
Scroll through the conversation to the photo you want to delete.
The process will be the same for videos
Step 4. Select ⋯
This button is located next to the photo and opens a menu.
If you sent the photo, this icon will be to the left of the photo in question. If someone else sent it to you, the icon will be on the right
Step 5. Click Remove
This option can be found in the menu that has just appeared.
Step 6. Select Remove when prompted
The photo will be deleted from your side of the conversation, but the other person will still be able to see it until they delete it.
Step 7. Check the shared photos
Deleting a photo also removes it from the section Shared photos conversation settings, but you can check to make sure.
- The section Shared photos is to the right of the conversation window (you may have to scroll the pane on the right to find it).
- Find the photo you just deleted.
- If the photo is still there, try closing and relaunching your browser, but if that doesn't solve the problem, you'll need to delete the conversation.
Method 3 of 4: Delete a mobile conversation
Step 1. Open Facebook Messenger
To open Messenger, tap the blue chat bubble icon with a white lightning bolt on it. If you're already signed in to Messenger, the app will open with a list of your recent conversations.
If you have not yet signed in to Messenger, enter your phone number and then your password before proceeding to the next step
Step 2. Find the conversation you want to delete
This is the conversation that contains the photos that you cannot delete.
If Messenger opens with a conversation, tap the back button at the top left of the screen
Step 3. Long press on the conversation
A context menu should open after a few seconds.
If you are using an iPhone 6S or a newer version of iPhone, do not press the conversation too hard so as not to activate 3D Touch
Step 4. Select Delete Conversation
This option is found in the context menu.
Step 5. Tap Delete Conversation when prompted
The conversation and all the pictures it contains will be deleted from the Facebook Messenger app.
The person you are talking to will still have access to the conversation and the photos until they are deleted
Method 4 of 4: Delete a conversation on a desktop
Step 1. Log in to Facebook Messenger
Open this page on your web browser. If you are already logged in to Facebook, you will come across the last conversation you had.
- If you are not yet logged in, enter your email address (or phone number) and password then click on Log in.
Step 2. Choose a conversation
Find the conversation that contains the photos you want to delete, then hover your mouse over it. A gray star wheel icon should appear.
Step 3. Click on the gray cogwheel icon
A drop-down menu should appear.
Step 4. Select Remove
The option To delete can be found in the drop-down menu.
Step 5. Choose Remove when prompted
The conversation and all the images in it will be deleted on your end.
The person will still have access to the conversation and photos, unless they decide to delete them from their end
Advice
- Whether on the mobile or desktop version, you may need to close and relaunch Facebook Messenger before the deleted photo disappears from the section. Shared photos of the application.
