When you delete a text message on your phone, it typically removes the message from your device but not necessarily from the recipient’s device. The reason for this is that text messages are transmitted using the Short Message Service (SMS) protocol, which is designed to deliver messages reliably but not to provide end-to-end encryption or message deletion functionality.
When you send a text message, it is transmitted to the recipient’s device through the cellular network or the internet, depending on the messaging app you are using. Once the message reaches the recipient’s device, it is stored on their device and can be accessed by them unless it is deleted.
If you delete a text message on your phone, it only removes the message from your device’s memory. The message may still be available on the recipient’s device, either in their messaging app or in their device’s message log. This means that the recipient may still be able to read the message even if you have deleted it from your device.
However, some messaging apps do offer a feature that allows you to delete a message on both ends. For example, WhatsApp and Signal have a “delete for everyone” feature that removes a message from both the sender’s and the recipient’s devices. This feature works by sending a message to the recipient’s device requesting that the message be deleted from their device as well. If the recipient’s device is online and connected to the internet, and the recipient hasn’t already read the message, the message will be deleted from their device as well.
It is important to note that even with the “delete for everyone” feature, there is no guarantee that the recipient will not be able to access the message. If the recipient has already read the message, they may have taken a screenshot or otherwise saved a copy of the message before it was deleted. Additionally, the feature only works within a certain time frame after the message is sent, usually a few minutes, so if the recipient doesn’t see the message before it is deleted, they may never know that a message was sent.
In summary, deleting a text message on your device does not necessarily delete it from the recipient’s device. However, some messaging apps do offer a feature that allows you to delete a message on both ends, but even with this feature, there is no guarantee that the message will not be accessible to the recipient. If you need to communicate sensitive information, it is best to use a messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption and message deletion functionality.