What To Know
- Maybe it was a picture that wasn’t quite ready for the public eye, or a caption that was a little too spicy.
- Whatever the reason, knowing how to delete a Messenger story is a valuable skill.
- Sometimes, you might want to delete the actual image or video from your phone’s gallery, even if the story itself is still visible on Messenger.
Do you ever feel like you’re living in a constant state of “oops, I did it again”? Sometimes, that “again” involves posting a story on Facebook Messenger that you wish you hadn’t. Maybe it was a picture that wasn’t quite ready for the public eye, or a caption that was a little too spicy. Whatever the reason, knowing how to delete a Messenger story is a valuable skill.
This guide is your one-stop shop for understanding how to delete Messenger stories, whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or computer. We’ll cover various scenarios, from deleting a story you just posted to removing older stories from your archive. Let’s dive in!
Deleting a Freshly Posted Messenger Story
If you just posted a story and realized it’s a major “oops,” don’t panic! You have a short window of time to undo your mistake. Here’s how:
1. Open the Facebook Messenger app.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner.
3. Select “Your Story” from the list of options.
4. Tap on the story you want to delete.
5. Look for the three dots icon in the bottom right corner of the story.
6. Tap on the three dots and choose “Delete.”
That’s it! Your story will disappear from your profile and won’t be visible to your friends.
Deleting a Story from Your Archive
Stories don’t just vanish into the ether after 24 hours. They get tucked away in your Messenger archive, ready to be revisited. But what if you want to permanently remove a story from your archive?
Here’s how to delete a story from your archive:
1. Open the Facebook Messenger app.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner.
3. Select “Your Story” from the list of options.
4. Tap on the “Archive” tab at the top of the screen.
5. Locate the story you want to delete.
6. Tap on the three dots icon in the bottom right corner of the story.
7. Choose “Delete” from the menu.
Your story will be gone forever, so make sure you’re certain before you hit that delete button!
Deleting a Story from Your Phone’s Gallery
Sometimes, you might want to delete the actual image or video from your phone’s gallery, even if the story itself is still visible on Messenger. This is especially useful if you’re running low on storage space.
Follow these steps:
1. Open your phone’s gallery app.
2. Find the image or video that you want to delete.
3. Tap on the image or video to open it.
4. Look for the trash can icon or “delete” button.
5. Tap on the delete icon to remove the media from your gallery.
Remember, this will only delete the image or video from your device, not from your Messenger story itself.
Deleting a Story on the Facebook Messenger Website
While Messenger is primarily a mobile app, you can also access it through the Facebook website. If you need to delete a story from your computer, here’s how:
1. Go to the Facebook website and log in to your account.
2. Click on the Messenger icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Click on your profile picture in the left sidebar.
4. Select “Your Story” from the list of options.
5. Click on the story you want to delete.
6. Click on the three dots icon in the bottom right corner of the story.
7. Choose “Delete” from the menu.
Deleting a Story Posted by Someone Else
You can’t delete a story posted by someone else, but you can report it if it violates Facebook‘s Community Standards. This will allow Facebook to review the story and take appropriate action.
Here’s how to report a story:
1. Open the Facebook Messenger app.
2. Tap on the story you want to report.
3. Tap on the three dots icon in the bottom right corner of the story.
4. Choose “Report” from the menu.
5. Select the reason for reporting the story.
6. Tap on “Submit” to send your report.
Why You Can’t Delete Stories Posted by Others
You might be wondering why you can’t delete stories posted by other people. The answer is simple: it’s about respecting individual privacy and autonomy. Everyone has the right to share their own stories, and it wouldn’t be fair to allow others to delete them without their permission.
Deleting a Story Before It’s Posted
If you’re in the middle of creating a story and realize you don’t want to post it, you can easily cancel it before it goes live. Here’s how:
1. Open the Facebook Messenger app.
2. Tap on the “Your Story” icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select the image or video you want to use for your story.
4. Add any text or effects you want.
5. Before tapping on the “Share” button, tap on the “X” button in the top left corner of the screen.
This will cancel the story creation process and prevent it from being posted.
A Few Tips for Avoiding Story Mishaps
Now that you know how to delete Messenger stories, let’s talk about how to avoid making mistakes in the first place. Here are a few tips:
- Preview your story before posting: Take a moment to review your story before hitting “Share.” Make sure everything looks right and that you’re happy with the content.
- Think before you post: Ask yourself, “Would I be comfortable with my boss, my parents, or my future in-laws seeing this?” If the answer is no, it’s probably best to keep it private.
- Use the “Close Friends” list: If you want to share a story with a smaller group of people, use the “Close Friends” list feature. This way, you can avoid sharing potentially embarrassing content with your entire network.
Wrapping Up: Your Messenger Story Power
Knowing how to delete Messenger stories gives you control over your online presence. Whether you’re a seasoned social media pro or just starting out, these tips and tricks will help you avoid embarrassing blunders and ensure your stories are always on point.
What People Want to Know
Q: Can I delete a story that I posted to a group chat?
A: Yes, you can delete a story from a group chat. Follow the same steps as deleting a story from your profile, but make sure you’re looking at the story within the group chat.
Q: What happens to my story after it’s deleted?
A: Once you delete a story, it’s gone for good. It will no longer be visible to you or anyone else.
Q: Can I recover a deleted story?
A: Unfortunately, there’s no way to recover a deleted story. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Q: What if I accidentally deleted a story I wanted to keep?
A: If you’re certain you deleted a story by mistake, you can contact Facebook‘s support team for assistance. However, there’s no guarantee they will be able to recover your story.
