Learn how to delete Microsoft Teams chat history using eDiscovery, retention policies, or user settings. Covers 1:1, group, and meeting chats.
Microsoft Teams chat data can live in multiple places – user chat lists, Microsoft 365 back-end services, and compliance storage. Because of this, deleting Teams chat history isn’t a one-size-fits-all action. The process depends on whether you’re a regular user, an admin, or handling compliance and legal requirements.
This guide explains all supported ways to delete Microsoft Teams chat history, including eDiscovery, user-level deletion, and retention policies, while clearly outlining what actually gets removed – and what doesn’t.
Deleting Microsoft Teams Chat History Using eDiscovery (Admin Method)
If your requirement involves permanent deletion, legal compliance, or organization-wide cleanup, Microsoft requires you to use eDiscovery tools in the Microsoft Purview compliance portal.
Step 1: Create an eDiscovery Case
Start by creating a new case in Microsoft Purview eDiscovery. This case acts as a secure workspace to manage searches, reviews, and deletions.
Step 2: Search for Teams Chat Messages
Once the case is created:
- Run a content search targeting Microsoft Teams chat data
- Select the correct data source based on chat type:
- One-on-one chats
- Group chats
- Meeting chats
- Channel messages (if applicable)
Accuracy at this stage is critical.
Step 3: Review and Verify Results
Before deleting anything:
- Review search results carefully
- Confirm only the intended messages are included
This step helps prevent irreversible data loss.
Step 4: Delete the Messages
After validation, execute the purge action to permanently delete the identified chat messages.
Important:
Once deleted through eDiscovery, the data cannot be recovered. You must also have the appropriate compliance and admin permissions to perform these actions.
Here is a step by step Guide to Perform Microsoft Teams eDiscovery
Deleting Teams Chats as a User (Microsoft Teams Free & Business)
Users can delete chats directly from the Teams Chat tab, but this only affects their own view, not other participants.
How to Delete a Chat in Teams
- Open the Chat tab
- Find the chat you want to delete (1:1, group, or meeting chat)
- Hover over the chat and select More options
- Select Delete chat
- Confirm by choosing Yes, delete
Once deleted, you’ll automatically leave the group or meeting chat.
What Happens When You Delete a Group or Meeting Chat
- The chat is removed from your chat list only
- Other participants still have full access
- Others will see that you’ve left the chat, not that you deleted it
- Deleted chats:
- Are removed from all your devices
- Are not searchable
- Stay deleted even after signing out and back in
Additional Notes
- Exported Teams data will not include deleted chats
- Files, links, and messages remain accessible to others if permissions allow
- Shared calendar items may still exist and must be deleted manually
- If you’re re-added to the same chat later, the entire history reappears
Here’s Why and How to Fix It - Microsoft Teams Hidden Chats Keep Reappearing
What Happens When You Delete a One-on-One Chat
- The chat disappears only from your view
- The other person keeps the full conversation history
- The other user is not notified
- Deleted chats:
- Are removed from all your devices
- They are no longer searchable
- Stay deleted after signing out and back in
Important Considerations
- Shared files remain accessible to the other participant
- Calendar items are not automatically deleted
- Starting a new chat creates a new thread for you, while the other person still sees the old history
Deleting Individual Messages in Teams
If you only need to remove a specific message:
- Use the Edit or Delete Sent Message option directly in the chat thread
- This applies only to messages you sent, subject to your organization’s policies
Hiding One-on-One Chats in Teams
If you don’t want to delete a chat but want it out of sight:
- Go to the chat list
- Select More options
- Choose Hide
Hidden chats can be restored simply by searching for the participant again.
How to Fix Microsoft Teams Chat History Missing or Disappear
Removing Chat History from One-on-One Chats
Teams also allows you to remove chat history from your view:
- Open the chat
- Select More options
- Choose Remove chat history
Key Notes
- This action applies only to you
- The other participant still sees everything
- You can no longer access or search the chat
- Hidden chats can be recovered; removed chat history cannot
Deleting Teams Chat Messages Using Retention Policies (Recommended for Admins)
For ongoing or automated cleanup, retention policies are the most effective solution.
How to Create a Retention Policy for Teams Chats
- Go to Microsoft Purview Compliance Portal
- Navigate to Data lifecycle management > Retention Policies
- Select New retention policy
- Choose Static and select Teams chats
- Specify the user(s) to include
- Configure the policy to delete content permanently
- Review and save the policy
Once active, the policy will automatically delete Teams chat messages according to your configuration—without manual intervention.
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Final Thoughts
Deleting Microsoft Teams chat history depends on who you are and what level of deletion you need:
- Users can delete or hide chats for personal cleanup
- Admins can use eDiscovery for targeted, permanent deletion
- Organizations can enforce automated cleanup with retention policies
Understanding these differences ensures compliance, avoids data loss, and keeps your Teams environment clean and manageable.
For official guidance, always refer to Microsoft’s documentation on Retention policies for Teams locations.