You can delete your own messages, but Reddit keeps a record
When you delete a message on Reddit, it disappears from your inbox and from the recipient's view. However, Reddit's servers retain a copy of the deleted message. If you delete a message, the other person will see "[deleted]" in place of your text, and moderators or Reddit staff can still see what you wrote if they investigate your account.
The deletion is permanent on your end — you cannot undo it once you confirm. Reddit does not restore deleted messages, even if you change your mind minutes later. If you need to correct something you said, you have to send a new message explaining the correction.
You cannot delete messages sent to you by other people. You can only delete messages you wrote yourself. If someone sends you a message you want gone, your only option is to block that person or report the message to Reddit moderators if it violates the rules.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a message removes it from view but leaves a "[deleted]" marker that shows a message was there.
- You can only delete messages you sent yourself, not messages other people sent to you.
- The deletion is instant and cannot be undone, so check your message before you confirm.
- Blocking a user stops them from sending you new messages and hides their old ones from your inbox.
How to delete a message you sent
On Reddit's website, open your inbox and find the message you want to delete. Hover over the message or click the three-dot menu icon next to it. Select "Delete" from the menu that appears. A confirmation box will ask if you are sure — click "Delete" again to confirm.
On the Reddit mobile app, swipe left on the message (iPhone) or long-press it (Android). A delete option will appear. Tap it and confirm when prompted. The message will vanish from both your inbox and the recipient's inbox within seconds.
After you delete a message, the recipient will see "[deleted]" where your text was. They will know you sent something and then removed it, but they will not see what you wrote. If the message was part of a longer conversation, the context of the thread remains visible.
What happens when you delete a message
The person who received your message will see "[deleted]" instead of your words. If they had already read your message before you deleted it, they may remember what you said, but they cannot see it in Reddit anymore. If they took a screenshot before you deleted it, they still have that image.
Reddit moderators and site staff can see deleted messages if they look at your account history or investigate a report. Deletion is not the same as anonymity. If you sent something that violates Reddit's rules, deleting it does not prevent moderators from taking action against your account.
Your message does not reappear if you change your mind. There is no "undo delete" button. If you want to correct something you said, send a follow-up message explaining the correction.
Blocking someone instead of deleting messages
If someone is sending you unwanted messages, blocking them is often more useful than deleting individual messages. When you block a user, they cannot send you new messages, and their old messages disappear from your inbox. You will not see their posts or comments in your feed either.
To block someone on the website, open their profile and click the three-dot menu. Select "Block User." On the mobile app, go to their profile, tap the three-dot menu, and choose "Block." The block takes effect immediately.
The blocked person does not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they will notice if they try to message you — they will get an error saying they cannot contact you. You can unblock someone at any time by visiting your blocked users list in your account settings.
Deleting messages in group chats
Reddit's chat feature (used in some communities and group conversations) works differently from direct messages. In a chat, you can delete your own messages by clicking the three-dot menu next to your message and selecting "Delete." The message will show as "[deleted]" to everyone in the chat.
Chat deletions are also permanent and cannot be undone. Other people in the chat will see that a message was deleted but not what it said. If you delete a message by accident, you will need to send a new message to explain what you meant.
Why you might want to delete messages
People delete messages for different reasons. You might delete a message if you made a typo and want to send a corrected version. You might delete something you said in anger and later regretted. You might delete personal information you accidentally shared, like a phone number or address.
Keep in mind that deletion does not may provide privacy. If someone has already read your message or taken a screenshot, they have a record of what you said. If you are sharing sensitive information on Reddit, consider whether you should be sharing it at all, rather than relying on deletion to protect it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a message after the other person has read it?
Yes. Deleting a message works the same way whether the recipient has read it or not. They will see "[deleted]" instead of your text. However, if they read it before you deleted it, they already know what you said.
What if I delete a message and then want to send it again?
You will have to type it out again. Reddit does not save a copy of deleted messages that you can retrieve. If you frequently delete and resend messages, consider using a notes app to draft messages before sending them on Reddit.
Can a moderator see messages I deleted?
Yes. Moderators and Reddit staff can view deleted messages if they investigate your account or respond to a report. Deletion removes the message from public view but not from Reddit's records.
Does the other person get notified when I delete a message?
They do not get a notification, but if they look at the conversation, they will see "[deleted]" where your message was. If they were actively reading the chat when you deleted it, they might notice the message disappear.
Can I delete all my messages at once?
Reddit does not have a bulk delete feature for messages. You have to delete each message individually. If you want to clear your inbox, you can archive messages instead, which hides them without deleting them.