Delete A Conversation

Delete conversations from the recent chats list using the Android SDK

Quick Reference for AI Agents & Developers

// Delete user conversation
CometChat.deleteConversation("UID", CometChatConstants.RECEIVER_TYPE_USER,
    object : CallbackListener<String>() {
        override fun onSuccess(message: String) { }
        override fun onError(e: CometChatException) { }
    })

// Delete group conversation
CometChat.deleteConversation("GUID", CometChatConstants.RECEIVER_TYPE_GROUP, callback)

Note: This deletes the conversation only for the logged-in user. To delete for all users, use the REST API.

Available via: SDK | REST API | UI Kits

To delete a conversation, use the deleteConversation() method.

This method takes two parameters: the unique id (UID/GUID) of the conversation to be deleted and the type (user/group) of conversation to be deleted.

Java (User)

CometChat.deleteConversation(UID, CometChatConstants.RECEIVER_TYPE_USER, new CometChat.CallbackListener<String>() {
  @Override
  public void onSuccess(String s) {
    Log.d(TAG, s);
  }

  @Override
  public void onError(CometChatException e) {
    Log.d(TAG, e.getMessage());
  }
});

Java (Group)

CometChat.deleteConversation(GUID, CometChatConstants.RECEIVER_TYPE_GROUP, new CometChat.CallbackListener<String>() {
  @Override
    public void onSuccess(String s) {
    Log.d(TAG, s);
  }

  @Override
    public void onError(CometChatException e) {
    Log.d(TAG, e.getMessage());
  }
});

Kotlin (User)

CometChat.deleteConversation(UID, CometChatConstants.RECEIVER_TYPE_USER, object : CallbackListener<String?>() {
  override fun onSuccess(s: String?) {
    Log.d(TAG, s)
  }

  override fun onError(e: CometChatException) {
    Log.d(TAG, e.message)
  }
})

Kotlin (Group)

CometChat.deleteConversation(GUID, CometChatConstants.RECEIVER_TYPE_GROUP, object : CallbackListener<String?>() {
  override fun onSuccess(s: String?) {
    Log.d(TAG, s)
  }

  override fun onError(e: CometChatException) {
    Log.d(TAG, e.message)
  }
})

This method deletes the conversation only for the logged-in user. To delete a conversation for all the users of the conversation, please refer to our REST API documentation here.

The deleteConversation() method takes the following parameters:

Parameter	Description	Required
conversationWith	UID of the user or GUID of the group whose conversation you want to delete.	YES
conversationType	The type of conversation you want to delete . It can be either user or group.	YES

Best Practices

Confirm Before Deleting

Prompt users to confirm before deleting conversations, especially for important chats, as this action removes the conversation from their list.

Understand Local vs Global Delete

SDK deletion only removes the conversation for the logged-in user. Use REST API if you need to delete conversations for all participants.

Provide Archive Alternative

Consider offering an “archive” feature using conversation tags instead of deletion, allowing users to hide conversations without losing them permanently.

Update UI Immediately

Remove the conversation from your UI immediately after successful deletion to provide instant feedback to users.

Troubleshooting

Delete Failed - Conversation Not Found

Symptom: deleteConversation() fails with “Conversation not found” error.

Cause: The conversation doesn’t exist or has already been deleted.

Solution: Verify the UID/GUID is correct and the conversation exists by fetching it first using retrieve-conversations.

Delete Failed - Invalid Receiver Type

Symptom: Delete fails with “Invalid receiver type” error.

Cause: Receiver type doesn’t match the conversation type.

Solution: Use RECEIVER_TYPE_USER for user conversations and RECEIVER_TYPE_GROUP for group conversations. Check the conversation type before deleting.

Conversation Reappears After Delete

Symptom: Deleted conversation reappears when new messages arrive.

Cause: Deleting a conversation only removes it from the list. New messages create a new conversation entry.

Solution: This is expected behavior. If you want to prevent messages, consider blocking the user or leaving the group instead.

---

Next Steps

Retrieve Conversations

Fetch list of conversations

Block Users

Block users to prevent messages

Leave Group

Leave group conversations

Delete Messages

Delete individual messages