> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cometchat-22654f5b-docs-agent-in-group-react-v6.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Delete Message
> Delete sent messages in one-on-one or group conversations with the CometChat iOS SDK and handle deletion events.
```swift theme={null}
// Delete a message
CometChat.delete(messageId: 12345, onSuccess: { msg in
print("Deleted:", msg.id, msg.deletedAt)
}, onError: { err in })
// Listen for real-time deletions
extension VC: CometChatMessageDelegate {
func onMessageDeleted(message: BaseMessage) {
print("Deleted:", message.id, message.deletedAt)
}
}
```
**Who can delete:** Message sender, Group admin, Group moderator
**Deleted fields:** `deletedAt` (timestamp), `deletedBy` (user who deleted)
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 `CometChat.delete(messageId:)` with the message ID.
```swift theme={null}
CometChat.delete(messageId: 12345, onSuccess: { (message) in
print("Message deleted: \(message)")
}, onError: { (error) in
print("Error: \(error.errorDescription)")
})
```
The deleted message object is returned with `deletedAt` (timestamp) and `deletedBy` (UID of deleter) fields set.
The `delete()` method returns a [`BaseMessage`](/sdk/reference/messages#basemessage) object.
This is a soft delete — message content is still available on the object. Check `deletedAt > 0` to identify deleted messages.
| User | Conversation Type | Deletion Capabilities |
| --------------- | ----------------- | --------------------- |
| Message Sender | One-on-one | Own messages only |
| Message Sender | Group | Own messages only |
| Group Admin | Group | All messages |
| Group Moderator | Group | All messages |
## Real-time Message Delete Events
The `onMessageDeleted` callback receives a [`BaseMessage`](/sdk/reference/messages#basemessage) object with the `deletedAt` and `deletedBy` fields set.
```swift theme={null}
extension YourViewController: CometChatMessageDelegate {
func onMessageDeleted(message: BaseMessage) {
print("Message deleted: \(message.id)")
print("Deleted at: \(message.deletedAt)")
print("Deleted by: \(message.deletedBy ?? "")")
}
}
// Register the delegate:
CometChat.messagedelegate = self
```
## 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 added to history indicating the deletion.
The [`Action`](/sdk/reference/messages#action) object contains:
* `action` — `deleted`
* `actionOn` — The deleted message object
* `actionBy` — User who deleted the message
* `actionFor` — Receiver (User or Group)
```swift theme={null}
for message in messages {
if message.deletedAt > 0 {
print("Message \(message.id) was deleted at \(message.deletedAt)")
}
if let actionMessage = message as? ActionMessage {
if actionMessage.action == .messageDeleted {
print("Delete action detected")
}
}
}
```
You must be the message sender or a group admin/moderator to delete a message.
***
## Next Steps
Edit sent messages in conversations
Send text, media, and custom messages
Listen for incoming messages in real-time
Report inappropriate messages