How to Unsend or Edit an iMessage on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

We’ve all been there—you send a message, and the moment you hit "send," you realize there's a typo, or worse, you’ve sent it to the wrong person. Luckily, Apple has introduced features that let you unsend or edit iMessages on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Here's how you can use these life-saving features.

Unsend an iMessage

How It Works

When you unsend an iMessage, it’s removed from both your device and the recipient's device, as long as they haven’t seen it yet. This feature only works within 2 minutes of sending the message. After that, the message is permanent.

On iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Messages App: Tap on the conversation where you sent the message.

2. Find the Message: Locate the message you want to unsend.

3. Press and Hold the Message: A menu will appear.

4. Select "Undo Send": The message will disappear from the conversation.

On Mac

1. Open the Messages App: Navigate to the conversation.

2. Right-Click the Message: If you're using a trackpad, two-finger click on the message.

3. Select "Undo Send": The message will be removed from the chat.

Note: The recipient will be notified that a message was unsent, but they won’t see its content. Also, this feature only works if both you and the recipient are using iMessage with the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS.

Also Read - What Is System Data Storage on an iPhone or iPad?

Edit an iMessage

How It Works

The ability to edit an iMessage is a great way to fix errors without having to unsend and rewrite your message. Just like unsending, you have a 15-minute window to make your changes. After editing, the message will show that it was edited.

On iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Messages App: Go to the conversation where the message was sent.

2. Press and Hold the Message: A menu will pop up.

3. Select "Edit": You can now edit the text.

4. Tap the Blue Checkmark: This saves your edits and sends the updated message.

On Mac

1. Open the Messages App: Go to the conversation.

2. Right-Click the Message: Or two-finger click if using a trackpad.

3. Select "Edit": You can now modify the message.

4. Press Return: This saves the edited message.

Note: The recipient will see a small label that indicates the message was edited. If they’re using an older version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, they’ll receive the edited message as a new message.

Also Read - How to Enable Developer Mode on iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide

Important Things to Remember

• Time Limits: You can unsend a message within 2 minutes and edit a message within 15 minutes.
• Recipient Notifications: While you can remove or change the message content, the recipient will know you’ve done so.
• Compatibility: These features are only available if both you and the recipient are using iMessage on updated Apple devices.

Also Read - Unlock Hidden iPhone Accessibility Features: Enhance Usability

Conclusion

The ability to unsend or edit iMessages gives you peace of mind when texting. Whether you’ve sent something to the wrong person or made a typo, these features help you correct your mistakes quickly. Just remember the time limits and that the recipient will be aware of any changes you make. Happy texting!