Have you ever sent a message only to regret it right away? It happens to everyone. Whether it’s a typo, a wrong recipient, or just a mistake, it’s something most people face. The good news is that your iPhone now lets you undo those messages.
You can not only unsend a message but also edit it if you catch a mistake. These features give you a chance to fix your messages without stress. Want to know how to unsend message? Let’s walk through the simple steps to help you take control of your messages and avoid those texting regrets.
Important Message Unsend Tips
There are a few important things to keep in mind when learning how to unsend an iMessage. This feature is only available on iPhones running iOS 16 or later, iPads with iPadOS 16 or later, and Macs with Ventura. If the person you’re messaging uses an older operating system, they may still see the original message along with a notification that you unsent it.
Knowing how to unsend an iMessage is helpful if you accidentally message the wrong person or regret what you said.
Pro tip: To avoid future embarrassment, consider turning off read receipts. This gives you more time to respond thoughtfully without the other person knowing when you have read their message.
How to Unsend Messages on iPhone or iPad
- Go to the Messages app and select the conversation.
- Press and hold the message you wish to unsend in the conversation.
- Tap Undo Send, and the message will be removed from both your device and the recipient’s device.
Keep in mind that after you unsent messages, a small banner will appear on both your device and the recipient’s. On your device, it will say, “You unsent a message,” while on the recipient’s, it will say, “Your name unsent a message.” Unfortunately, this banner cannot be disabled, as a result the recipient will know that the message was removed.
Undo Send Messages on Mac
- Firstly, open the Messages app and choose the conversation.
- Hover over the message you wish to unsend, then right-click or control-click.
- Select Undo Send, and the message will be removed from both devices.
Both you and the recipient will see a notification confirming the message was unsent.
Can You Edit a Message on iPhone?
Just like learning how to unsend messages on an iPhone, editing texts is simple as long as you are using the latest operating system. Older operating systems don’t support this feature. If the recipient doesn’t have the latest update, they’ll receive a new message with your edited text but will still see the original message.
This editing feature can be a real lifesaver if you make a typo, misspell someone’s name, or send a message before realizing autocorrect changed a word. As long as you catch the mistake within 15 minutes, you can edit the message up to five times by following the steps below.
How to Edit a Message on iPhone or iPad
- Open the Messages app and open the conversation containing the message you want to change.
- Find the message you want to edit and tap and hold it.
- A menu will pop up. In that menu, select Edit.
- Make your changes, then hit the blue checkmark to send the updated message.
- If you change your mind, just tap the X to cancel.
It’s that simple. You’ll see an edited label appear under your message, so both you and the recipient know the text was updated.
How to Edit a Message on Your Mac
- Open the Messages app and go to the conversation with the message you want to update.
- Control-click the message you want to change.
- From the menu, choose Edit.
- Make your edits and press Return to send the updated message.
You and your recipient will see a blue edited label below the edited message. If the recipient is using the latest operating system, they’ll only see the edited version. However, if they have an older version, they might still see both the original and the updated message.
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Things to Keep in Mind for Non-iMessage Recipients
If the recipient of your message uses SMS or an Android smartphone rather than iMessage, there are a few crucial constraints to consider:
- Unsend feature not available: The unsend function depends on iMessage technology, which means it won’t work if the recipient is not using iMessage. If you try to unsend a message to someone using SMS or an Android device, they will still receive and see the original message.
- Edited messages won’t update: Any changes you make to a message after sending it will not be reflected on the recipient’s device if they are not using iMessage. They will receive the original message, and they will not be able to see the updated version.
Keep these limitations in mind when texting across different platforms to avoid any confusion or frustration.
How to Ensure Smooth Messaging Across Devices
To make your messaging experience seamless, it’s important to understand the compatibility of features across different devices. While iMessage offers convenient tools like unsending and editing messages, these features are only available for users on compatible iOS or macOS devices.
When communicating with someone using SMS or an Android device, be aware that these options won’t be available. To avoid frustration, consider checking if the person you’re texting is using iMessage or a compatible operating system. Additionally, if you rely on these features often, it may be helpful to keep your device’s software up to date.
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Wrapping it Up
Managing messages on your iPhone is simple, with the option to unsend or edit texts. If you’ve sent something by mistake or need to fix an error, learning how to unsend a message on iPhone is a great way to stay in control.
Just follow the steps above, and remember, these features work only on the latest iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. If you’re messaging someone who is using iMessage, you won’t be able to unsend or edit your messages. Keep these tips in mind to avoid any texting mistakes.
