How to Delete Messages on Viber Permanently

With cyber threats and data breaches on the rise—74% of data leaks in 2023 were attributed to human error or external attacks, according to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report—controlling your digital communications is more important than ever. Viber’s end-to-end encryption ensures messages are secure during transmission, but users may still want to delete messages to minimize their digital footprint, protect sensitive information, or declutter their chat history. Permanently deleting messages ensures they are unrecoverable, offering peace of mind for personal users, professionals, and those in high-risk environments like journalism or activism.

This guide will walk you through the process of permanently deleting messages on Viber across mobile and desktop platforms, highlight practical use cases, and address common challenges. For a broader understanding of Viber’s privacy features, check out how to adjust Viber privacy settings to complement your message deletion efforts. Let’s dive into the steps to ensure your Viber messages are gone for good.

Step-by-Step Guide to Permanently Deleting Messages on Viber

Viber allows users to delete messages from individual chats, group chats, or entire conversations, with options to remove messages for yourself or all participants. Below are detailed instructions for permanently deleting messages on Viber, based on the latest 2025 version available on Viber’s official website.

Step 1: Deleting Individual Messages in a Chat

To delete specific messages within a conversation:

1. Open Viber: Launch the Viber app on your mobile device (iOS, Android, or Huawei) or desktop.
2. Navigate to the Chat: Open the individual or group chat containing the message(s) you want to delete.
3. Select the Message: Long-press (mobile) or right-click (desktop) the message you wish to delete.
4. Choose Delete Option:
   • Delete for Myself: Removes the message from your device only. Select this to clear the message from your view without affecting others.
   • Delete for Everyone: Available for messages you sent, this removes the message from all participants’ devices in the chat. Note: This option is only available within a limited time (typically a few hours) after sending the message.
5. Confirm Deletion: Tap or click “Delete” to confirm. The message will be replaced with a “Message deleted” placeholder for others if you chose “Delete for Everyone.”

Note: “Delete for Everyone” is ideal for retracting sensitive messages, but it requires a stable internet connection and must be done promptly. Deleted messages are not stored in Viber’s servers due to E2EE, ensuring permanent removal.

Step 2: Deleting Entire Conversations

To permanently remove an entire chat, including all messages:

1. Go to Chats: Open Viber and navigate to the “Chats” tab.
2. Select the Conversation: Long-press (mobile) or right-click (desktop) the conversation you want to delete.
3. Choose “Delete Chat”: Select “Delete” from the menu.
4. Confirm Deletion: Confirm the action. This removes the entire conversation from your device, including all messages, media, and call history.

Important: Deleting a conversation only removes it from your device. Other participants will still retain their copy unless you deleted individual messages for everyone beforehand.

Step 3: Clearing Group Chats

For group chats, you can delete messages or leave the group entirely:

1. Delete Specific Messages: Follow the same steps as individual message deletion (Step 1) within the group chat.
2. Leave and Delete Group:
   • Open the group chat > Tap the group name (mobile) or click “Info” (desktop).
   • Select “Leave and Delete” to exit the group and remove all its messages from your device.
3. Admin Actions: If you’re a group admin, you can delete messages sent by others for all members, provided the action is taken within the time limit.

Note: Leaving a group does not delete messages for other members. Use “Delete for Everyone” for sensitive messages before leaving.

Step 4: Managing Hidden Chats

Viber’s hidden chats feature allows users to secure sensitive conversations with a PIN. To delete messages in hidden chats:

1. Access Hidden Chats: Go to the “Chats” tab, tap the search bar, and enter your 4-digit PIN to view hidden chats.
2. Delete Messages: Follow the same steps as above to delete individual messages or the entire hidden chat.
3. Permanent Removal: Hidden chats are stored locally, so deleting them ensures they are not recoverable unless backed up (see Step 5).

Step 5: Disabling Backups to Ensure Permanent Deletion

Viber offers encrypted backups to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iOS), which may retain deleted messages unless disabled:

1. Check Backup Settings:
   • Go to Settings > Account > Backup.
   • Verify if backups are enabled and connected to Google Drive or iCloud.
2. Disable Backups:
   • Toggle off “Auto Backup” to prevent future message storage.
   • Delete existing backups from Google Drive or iCloud manually.
3. Clear Local Data:
   • Go to Settings > General > Clear App Data to remove local Viber data (this deletes all chats and requires re-login).

Warning: Disabling backups ensures deleted messages are not recoverable but may prevent restoring chats if you switch devices. Always back up non-sensitive data before clearing.

Step 6: Verifying Permanent Deletion

To confirm messages are permanently deleted:

• Check the chat to ensure the message or conversation is gone.
• If you used “Delete for Everyone,” verify the “Message deleted” placeholder appears for other participants.
• Confirm backups are disabled or cleared to prevent recovery from cloud storage.
• For ultimate security, enable Viber’s two-step verification (2FA) to protect your account from unauthorized access.

Practical Applications of Permanently Deleting Viber Messages

Permanently deleting messages on Viber has practical benefits across various scenarios:

• Personal Privacy: Remove sensitive personal messages, such as financial details or private photos, to prevent access if your device is lost or shared.
• Professional Use: Businesses can delete client-related messages to comply with data retention policies or protect trade secrets. For example, a consultant can retract a mistakenly sent contract draft using “Delete for Everyone.”
• High-Risk Environments: Journalists or activists can use hidden chats and permanent deletion to secure communications with sources, minimizing risks in surveillance-heavy regions.
• Decluttering: Clear old group chats or promotional messages to keep your Viber interface organized, improving app performance.

For instance, a project manager can delete outdated group chat messages about a completed project to avoid confusion, while a parent can delete temporary messages (e.g., pickup times) to protect family privacy.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

Below are common questions and solutions for permanently deleting messages on Viber, based on user feedback and official documentation:

Practical Tips for Permanent Message Deletion

To maximize the effectiveness of deleting messages on Viber:

1. Act Quickly: Use “Delete for Everyone” immediately after sending a message to ensure it’s removed from all devices.
2. Disable Backups: Regularly check and disable cloud backups to prevent unintended message retention.
3. Secure Your Account: Enable two-step verification (2FA) to protect your Viber account from unauthorized access, enhancing overall privacy.
4. Use Hidden Chats for Sensitive Content: Store sensitive messages in hidden chats before deletion to add an extra layer of security.
5. Update Regularly: Keep Viber updated to access the latest deletion and privacy features.

Mastering Permanent Message Deletion on Viber

Permanently deleting messages on Viber is a powerful way to protect your privacy, comply with regulations, and manage your digital footprint. By following the steps outlined—deleting individual messages, clearing entire conversations, managing hidden chats, and disabling backups—you can ensure sensitive information is unrecoverable. Viber’s end-to-end encryption, intuitive deletion options, and alignment with 2025 privacy trends make it a reliable choice for secure communication.

Whether you’re a casual user, a professional, or someone in a high-risk environment, mastering Viber’s deletion features empowers you to take control of your data. Take charge of your Viber messages today and communicate with confidence!