Apple unveiled the groundbreaking feature of unsending and editing messages in iMessage with the release of iOS 16 in 2022. If you haven’t explored this functionality yet, now is the time to do so.
Apple has simplified the process of rectifying mistakes or messages that you wish you hadn’t sent. At times, upon reviewing your previously sent messages, you may realize that auto-correct has distorted the intended message. There have been some enhancements and minor adjustments to unsending and editing messages in iMessage since the introduction of iOS 16. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through these features.
Unsending a Message
One crucial aspect to remember about unsending a message is that you only have a two-minute window to do so. After this timeframe, you can still edit the message, but the opportunity to unsend it will be lost. Additionally, when you successfully unsend a message, it will vanish from the recipient’s device, albeit leaving a trace. Both the sender and recipient will receive a notification confirming the unsent message.
If you attempt to unsend a message to someone using an iOS version older than iOS 16, you’ll be informed that the recipient will still view your original message. It’s also worth noting that you cannot unsend an SMS, MMS, or RCS message. Therefore, if you’re communicating with an Android user, while the messaging experience has been enhanced with iOS 18 and the new capabilities of RCS in iMessage, you won’t be able to unsend messages to your Android counterpart.
To unsend a message, simply navigate to your Messages app, long-press on the message bubble, and then select Undo Send.
Editing a Message
You have a 15-minute window to edit a previously sent message, in contrast to the two-minute timeframe for unsending it. To edit a message, access your Messages app, open the conversation containing the message you wish to edit, long-press on the message, and then choose Edit.
If the recipient is not using iOS 16 or later, the sender can still edit a previously sent message. However, the recipient will receive a follow-up message indicating that the message was “Edited to,” followed by the new message enclosed in quotes. Similar to unsending messages, editing an SMS, MMS, or RCS message is not possible. There is an exception to this rule: if you’re engaged in a group conversation via SMS, MMS, or RCS, you can edit a message as long as at least one other participant in the group is using iMessage with iOS or a later version.
Mastering the art of unsending and editing messages is a valuable skill to possess. Everyone experiences those occasional “oops” moments. Thankfully, there’s a solution at hand. Given the time constraints (two minutes to unsend, 15 minutes to edit), it’s advisable to double-check sensitive or private messages before sending them, ensuring they are accurate and intended for the right recipient. When communicating with Android users, exercise extra caution by thoroughly reviewing your messages before dispatching them.
