Delete your Hangout message history

What happens when you delete your Hangout history

When you delete your message history for a specific Hangout, that history will be deleted from your Gmail as well as from the Hangouts windows on all of your devices. However, other people in the Hangout can still view the message history. 
 Gmail users: Your saved message history for a single Hangout may be saved as several email threads. Deleting your message history will delete all email threads associated with that Hangout. Deleted messages will not be stored in your “Trash” folder.

 

Move messages to the Trash in Gmail:
Your Hangout may be stored as a series of email threads within Gmail. Selecting those email threads and moving them to the trash, will only remove them from your Gmail mailbox, it won’t delete the messages from within the Hangout window or on the Hangouts mobile app.

Delete history for a Hangout with one other person

If you’re in a Hangout with one other person, you can delete the message history by clicking the gear icon  at the top right of the Hangout window, selecting Delete Hangout and then clicking Delete.

History for a group Hangout

Currently, there’s no way to delete the Hangout history for a group Hangout and still remain in the Hangout. If you want to clear the Hangout history, you’ll have to leave the Hangout entirely. When you leave the Hangout, your message history will be deleted for you only -- others in the Hangout will still see your message history. Also, you’ll no longer receive new message notifications. If you want to leave the Hangout, click the gear icon  at the top right of the Hangout window and select Leave Hangout.

Retrieve deleted history

Group Hangouts: Once you leave the Hangout, you cannot access the Hangout history unless someone who is still in the Hangout adds you back to the Hangout. 
Hangouts with one other person: You cannot retrieve deleted messages from a 1:1 Hangout. 

Move messages to the Trash in Gmail:

Your Hangout may be stored as a series of email threads within Gmail. Selecting those email threads and moving them to the trash, will only remove them from your Gmail mailbox, it won’t delete the messages from within the Hangout window or on the Hangouts mobile app.