WeChat’s “Regret Button”? Deleted Chats May Come Back。。。

Source: OT-Team(G), 海峡导报

Recently, the WeChat team released the Android 8.0.63 beta version, marking an important update following the iOS rollout. While the update may appear minor, it introduces several practical and interesting new features that have quickly drawn user attention.

One much-discussed addition is the option to "delete a contact while simultaneously clearing chat history"—a feature some users jokingly said "saved clumsy fingers."

1. Undo Chat Deletion: WeChat's "Regret Button"

First introduced in iOS version 8.0.61, the "undo chat deletion" feature has now arrived on Android. When users swipe left to delete a conversation on the WeChat home page, a notification immediately appears at the bottom: "Chat with [contact] deleted."

If the user taps the "Undo" button within five seconds, the conversation will be restored.

Another update expands this idea: when deleting a contact, WeChat now offers a checkbox to "delete the contact while also clearing chat history" (unchecked by default). If left unchecked, the chat history remains intact even after the contact is removed.

Deleted contacts are not notified. Users can still send them messages, which will be received as usual. If someone wants to re-add a deleted contact, they can simply tap the "This person is not your friend" banner at the top of the chat to add them back—no additional verification required, with all chat history preserved.

This proves useful for those who accidentally remove friends, wish to reconcile after a dispute, or simply want to tidy up their contact list without losing past conversations.

2. Dormant Accounts May Be Reclaimed After One Year

WeChat also announced that accounts left inactive for extended periods—typically over one year—may be automatically reclaimed by the system. The exact timeframe depends on usage patterns.

Once reclaimed, all associated data—including Moments, chats, profile photos, and WeChat IDs—will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

WeChat recommends that users:

(1)Log in regularly (at least once a year) to keep accounts active;

(2)Back up important chat files and images locally on their phone or computer;

(3)Bind their account to a phone number or email to avoid potential lockouts.

3. Updates to "Official Accounts" Page

The "Official Accounts" page has been refined with two new filters: "Recent Updates" and "Recently Followed." Accounts marked with a star are now pinned to the top, making it easier for users to access their preferred Official Accounts.

Most of these features are still undergoing phased rollout, meaning not all users will have immediate access. Those who haven't seen the changes yet are advised to wait for WeChat's gradual deployment.