Can You Unsend a Text? How To Edit Sent Text Messages

There are quite a few reasons you might want to unsend messages. Maybe you sent a message to the wrong person, made a typo, or more. The good news is that it’s now possible to edit text messages or unsend them entirely. The bad news is that it’s not available for all phones.

Let’s discuss the unsend feature and if you will be able to use it.

What Are the Requirements To Edit and Unsend Text Messages?

You essentially have two choices whenever you purchase a cell phone: Apple or Android. The two tech juggernauts have been battling for telecommunication superiority for a long time now. The battle will likely continue for a while as both options offer a ton of excellent features. However, the battle may have just shifted ever so slightly in favor of Apple.

For iPhone users, it’s helpful to know taht iOS 16 was officially launched on September 22, 2022. The latest generation came with an enhanced user experience centered around personalization features, deeper intelligence, and enhanced communication.

Perhaps the single most important improvement is that iOS 16 has given Apple users the ability to edit and unsend text messages via the “iMessages” app. (If you’re using your computer, you can use this new feature on Macs running Ventura.

Here is a list of all the iPhones that currently support iOS 16:

• iPhone 14 (14 Plus, Pro, Pro Max)
• iPhone 13 (13 Mini, Pro, and Pro Max)
• iPhone 12 (12 Mini, Pro, Pro Max)
• iPhone 11 (11 Pro, Pro Max)
• iPhone X
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS and XS Max
• iPhone 8 (8 Plus)
• iPhone SE (only the 2nd generation or later)

If you have one of the phones listed above, then here is how you can make sure that you’re using iOS 16:

1. Open the “Settings” app of your iPhone.
2. Tap the “General” option.
3. Select the “Software Update” option.
4. If the iOS 16 update is available, then click the “Download and Install” option to start the process.

What Are iMessages?

If you’re a long-time iPhone user, then you’re probably familiar with the concept of iMessages. This app is only available on Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. If you’ve ever wondered why some text messages are different colors, then it’s because you’re using iMessage. Traditional SMS text messages are color-coded green, while iMessages are color-coded blue. The coloring of these texts isn’t the only difference between iMessage and SMS texts.

For the most part, the two messages function in the same way. However, there are a few key differences that separate the two. For example, SMS texts use cellular signals and have a maximum of 160 characters.

An iMessage, on the other hand, uses Wi-Fi or data and allows for an unlimited amount of characters. It’s safe to say that iMessage has been superior to SMS text since its inception. The gap between the two is even larger with the launch of the new iOs, as iMessages can now be edited and unsent. Something that remains impossible with SMS text messages.

How Do You Edit an iMessage?

As long as you have iOS 16 installed, you'll have the ability to edit your iMessages. However, there are a few caveats that you need to know. For starters, you will only have up to 15 minutes to edit the sent message, and you can only edit a single message up to five times. Additionally, the person that you’re texting must also be using an Apple device.

If their device is using iOS 16, then the edited message will appear with an “Edited” notation underneath it. If they’re using iOS 15.6 or earlier, they’ll most likely see the original text along with a separate text that contains your edited message.

Here is how you can edit an iMessage:

1. In the “iMessage” app, select the conversation with the message that you want to edit.
2. Tap and hold the message bubble.
3. Click on the “Edit” option that appears on the pop-up menu.
4. Make any changes to the original text that you want. Tap the “Blue Check Mark” icon to resend it. If you don’t want to send the edited message, then hit the “X” icon to remove your changes.
5. Both you and the recipient of the edited iMessage will see a blue-colored notification of “Edited” underneath the text.

How Do You Unsend iMessages?

The same limitations that apply to editing an iMessage will also apply to unsending an iMessage. Both parties will need to be using an Apple device, and it will only work as intended if both devices are using iOS 16. If the recipient isn’t using iOS 16, then the original message will remain in the conversation. Unlike editing an iMessage, you have two minutes to unsend it before the action is no longer possible.

Here is how you can unsend an iMessage:

1. In the “iMessage” app, select the conversation with the message that you want to unsend.
2. Tap and hold the message bubble.
3. Click on the “Undo Send” option that appears on the pop-up menu.
4. Both you and the recipient of the unsent iMessage will see a notification stating that “you unsent a message.”

How Can You Edit or Unsend Texts With Android Phones?

As of this writing, Android users can’t currently edit or unsend text messages. However, there are a few apps that do provide this feature that you use instead. WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger are among the most popular mobile messenger apps in the world.

While none of them give you the ability to edit messages, you do have the option to unsend them. If you wanted to make any edits, then you could simply unsend the message and rewrite it with your edits included before you send it.

Here is how you can unsend a message if you’re using:

WhatsApp

1. Open the conversation with the message that you want to unsend.
2. Long press the message until a pop-up menu appears.
3. Select the “Delete” option.
4. You’ll now be asked if you want to “Delete For Me,” “Cancel,” or “Delete For Everyone.”
5. Click the “Delete For Everyone” to permanently remove the message.

Instagram

1. Open the conversation with the message that you want to unsend.
2. Long press the message until a pop-up menu appears.
3. Select the “Unsend” option.
4. You’ll now be asked, “Do you really want to unsend the message”?
5. Click “Unsend” a second time to permanently remove the message.

Facebook Messenger

1. Open the conversation with the message that you want to unsend.
2. Long press the message until a pop-up menu appears.
3. Select the “Unsend” option.
4. You’ll now be asked, “Who do you want to remove this message for”?
5. Click “Unsend For Everyone” to permanently remove the message.

Summary

Texting is one of the most popular forms of communication today and shows no signs of going away. It’s so popular that it’s even created its own unique language. Unfortunately, the ability to edit and unsend text messages have only recently become a reality. Even worse, that smart hack is only possible with extremely specific requirements.

Currently, the only way to do it is if you have an Apple device that uses iOS 16 and you recently sent an iMessage to another Apple device with iOS 16. In that case, you’ll have two minutes to unsend the text or 15 minutes to edit it. The only other way to unsend a message is by using one of the social media apps listed above.

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Sources:

Most popular messaging apps 2022 | Statista

Apple just released a major update for your iPhone — here's what's new and how to get it | CNBC

MacOS Ventura brings small but significant upgrades to your MacBook or Mac desktop | CNN