> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cometchat-22654f5b-docs-skills-v5-temp.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Delete Message
> Delete CometChat messages in React Native apps by message ID and listen for real-time deletion events.
| Field | Value |
| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Package | `@cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native` |
| Import | `import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-react-native";` |
| Key Methods | `addMessageListener()`, `deleteMessage()` |
| Key Classes | `BaseMessage`, `CometChatException`, `MessageListener` |
| Prerequisites | SDK initialized via [`CometChat.init()`](/sdk/react-native/setup-sdk) and a logged-in user via [`CometChat.login()`](/sdk/react-native/authentication-overview) |
| Primary output | `Promise` — the message in its deleted state (a tombstone, not removal); rejects with `CometChatException` |
| Constraints | The message object survives with `getDeletedAt()` set — render a deleted-state bubble rather than dropping it from the list. Every `add*Listener()` needs a matching `remove*Listener()` with the same listener ID — unremoved listeners leak and fire after unmount. |
| Related | [Edit a Message](/sdk/react-native/edit-message) · [Send a Message](/sdk/react-native/send-message) · [Receive Messages](/sdk/react-native/receive-messages) |
| Full reference | [`BaseMessage`](/sdk/reference/messages#basemessage) · [`CometChatException`](/sdk/reference/auxiliary#cometchatexception) |
```javascript theme={null}
let messageId = "MESSAGE_ID";
// Delete a message
await CometChat.deleteMessage(messageId);
// Listen for real-time deletions
CometChat.addMessageListener("ID", new CometChat.MessageListener({
onMessageDeleted: (message) => {
console.log("Deleted:", message.getId(), message.getDeletedAt());
}
}));
```
**Who can delete:** Message sender, Group admin, Group moderator
**Deleted fields:** `deletedAt` (timestamp), `deletedBy` (user who deleted)
This operation is irreversible. Deleted messages cannot be recovered.
Deleting a message is straightforward. Receiving delete events has two parts:
1. Adding a listener for [real-time deletes](#real-time-message-delete-events) when your app is running
2. Fetching [missed deletes](#missed-message-delete-events) when your app was offline
## Delete a Message
Use `deleteMessage()` with the message ID.
```typescript theme={null}
let messageId: number = 1;
CometChat.deleteMessage(messageId).then(
(message: CometChat.BaseMessage) => {
console.log("Message deleted", message);
}, (error: CometChat.CometChatException) => {
console.log("Message delete failed with error:", error);
}
);
```
```javascript theme={null}
let messageId = "ID_OF_THE_MESSAGE_YOU_WANT_TO_DELETE";
CometChat.deleteMessage(messageId).then(
message => {
console.log("Message deleted", message);
}, error => {
console.log("Message delete failed with error:", error);
}
);
```
Alternatively, you can use the `async/await` syntax:
```javascript theme={null}
let messageId = "ID_OF_THE_MESSAGE_YOU_WANT_TO_DELETE";
try {
const message = await CometChat.deleteMessage(messageId);
console.log("Message deleted", message);
} catch (error) {
console.log("Message delete failed with error:", error);
}
```
The deleted message object is returned with `deletedAt` (timestamp) and `deletedBy` (UID of deleter) fields set.
The `deleteMessage()` method returns a [`BaseMessage`](/sdk/reference/messages#basemessage) object.
Relevant fields to access on the returned message:
| Field | Getter | Return Type | Description |
| --------- | ---------------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------- |
| deletedAt | `getDeletedAt()` | `number` | Timestamp when the message was deleted |
| deletedBy | `getDeletedBy()` | `string` | UID of the user who deleted the message |
Message deletion in CometChat is controlled by -
| User | Conversation Type | Deletion Capabilities |
| --------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Message Sender | One-on-One Conversation | Messages they have sent. |
| Message Sender | Group Conversation | Messages they have sent. |
| Group Admin | Group Conversation | All the messages in the group. |
| Group Moderator | Group Conversation | All the messages in the group. |
## Real-time Message Delete Events
Use `onMessageDeleted` in `MessageListener` to receive real-time delete events.
```typescript theme={null}
let listenerID: string = "UNIQUE_LISTENER_ID";
CometChat.addMessageListener(
listenerID,
new CometChat.MessageListener({
onMessageDeleted: (message: CometChat.BaseMessage) => {
console.log("Deleted Message", message);
}
})
);
```
```javascript theme={null}
let listenerID = "UNIQUE_LISTENER_ID";
CometChat.addMessageListener(
listenerID,
new CometChat.MessageListener({
onMessageDeleted: message => {
console.log("Deleted Message", message);
}
})
);
```
The `onMessageDeleted` callback receives a [`BaseMessage`](/sdk/reference/messages#basemessage) object with the `deletedAt` and `deletedBy` fields set.
Relevant fields to access on the returned message:
| Field | Getter | Return Type | Description |
| --------- | ---------------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------- |
| deletedAt | `getDeletedAt()` | `number` | Timestamp when the message was deleted |
| deletedBy | `getDeletedBy()` | `string` | UID of the user who deleted the message |
## Missed Message Delete Events
When fetching message history, deleted messages have `deletedAt` and `deletedBy` fields set. Additionally, an [`Action`](/sdk/reference/messages#action) message is created when a message is deleted.
The [`Action`](/sdk/reference/messages#action) object contains:
* `action` — `deleted`
* `actionOn` — Deleted message object
* `actionBy` — User who deleted the message
* `actionFor` — Receiver (User/Group)
You must be the message sender or a group admin/moderator to delete a message.
Always remove message listeners when they're no longer needed to prevent memory leaks.
***
## Next Steps
Edit sent messages in conversations
Send text, media, and custom messages
Listen for incoming messages in real-time
Report inappropriate messages