How To Unsend A Message On An Apple iPhone (Easy Steps)

Sometimes we mistakenly send messages from our iPhones that we shouldn’t send. So how do you unsend a message on an Apple iPhone?

Paul Taylor

Updated

March 16, 2023

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Sometimes we mistakenly send messages from our iPhones that we shouldn’t send. So how do you unsend a message on an Apple iPhone?

Later this year, Apple is coming up with a new feature as part of iOS 16. This feature allows you to edit and unsend messages that have been sent. Sometimes, we send accidental emojis to people at work or forward messages to the person we were just gossiping about, leading to some awkward situations. With iOS 16, all of that is about to change.

It’s a series of simple steps to follow if you want to unsend messages on your iPhone. All you have to do is to press and hold a specific message. Then, you have to tap “undo,” and there you have it. The chosen messages will be removed from the thread.

In some cases, the messages that need to be unsent aren’t necessarily awkward or embarrassing. However, these messages might contain insufficient or too much information (less or more than necessary, anyway). In these cases, you don’t have to unsend your messages, and simple editing can save the day for you. With iOS 16, all of this is possible.

As iPhone enthusiasts (all the way from the iPhone 3G), we’ve been waiting for these features to come to iOS. Now that these features are here, we’ve put together this guide to teach you how to unsend messages on your iPhone.

Table of Contents

‍How to Unsend Messages on an iPhone

There are a few ways to unsend messages on an iPhone, depending on which version of iOS you're using. If you're running iOS 13 or later, you can simply shake your iPhone to bring up the option to undo your last action. This will give you the chance to either delete the message you just sent or cancel the action altogether.

If you're using iOS 16 or later, there's an even simpler way to unsend messages. Just long-press on the sent message and tap the 'unsend' option that appears. This will instantly delete the message from both devices - yours and the recipient's.

If you accidentally unsend a message, don't worry - you can always resend it by tapping the 'unsent' icon that appears in its place.

How to Edit Messages on an iPhone

With iOS 16, and presumably all versions after 16, you will be able to edit your messages without having to delete them and start over. Here's a step by step guide on how to do it:

Open the Messages app and find the conversation containing the message you want to edit
Tap and hold on the message until a pop-up menu appears
Select "Edit Message" from the pop-up menu
Make your changes to the message and then tap "Done" when you're finished
The edited message will now appear in the conversation. Note that you can only edit messages that you've sent; you cannot edit messages from other people in the conversation

Why You Might Want to Unsend Messages on an iPhone

With the release of iOS 16, iPhone users now have the ability to edit and unsend messages. This feature can be useful in a variety of situations, from correcting typos to recalling sensitive information. Here are four reasons to unsend messages on iPhone:

1. To Correct Typos or Mistakes

We've all been there - you send a message and immediately spot a typo or mistake. With unsend, you can fix your mistake before the recipient ever sees it.

2. To Recall Sensitive Information

Sometimes you send a message and then realize that it contains sensitive information that you shouldn't have shared. With unsend, you can recall the message before it falls into the wrong hands.

3. To Save Yourself from Embarrassment

We've all said things we regret in the heat of the moment. If you realize that what you said was inappropriate or embarrassing, you can unsend the message before it causes any damage.

4. To Avoid Confusing or Frustrating Your Recipient

Have you ever sent a message and then realized that it was unclear or would likely confuse your recipient? With unsend, you can clear up any confusion before it leads to frustration or misunderstanding.

Reasons to Edit Messages on iPhone

Here are 5 reasons why you should take advantage of this feature:

You can fix typos without having to delete the entire message
You can add new information to a message without having to start from scratch
You can edit messages that you have already sent, which is perfect for when you need to make a correction or clarification
You can edit messages that you receive after copying it, which is helpful if you want to add your own comments or thoughts
You can even edit group messages, which is perfect for when you need to change the subject or add new participants

Everything You Must Know About iOS 16

The evolution of iOS is an ongoing story, one that has seen the platform grow from a simple mobile operating system to a complex and feature-rich ecosystem.

With each new release, Apple has added new capabilities and refinement to iOS, and the upcoming release of iOS 16 is no different. Here's a look at some of the key features that will be coming to iPhone and iPad users with iOS 16.

Widget Support

One of the most anticipated additions in iOS 16 is support for Widgets. For the first time, users will be able to add widgets to their home screen, providing quick access to information and functionality without having to launch an app. Widgets can be customized to display different information, and they can be resized to fit your needs.

Picture-in-Picture

Another welcome addition is Picture in Picture mode for video playback. This will allow users to continue watching a video even while using another app, making it easier to multitask.

Miscellaneous Updates

There are also several improvements coming to existing features in iOS 16. Safari is getting an update that will make it easier to find and manage tabs, and Maps is getting new features like turn-by-turn directions and electric vehicle routing.

The process of unsending a message on an iPhone is relatively simple. If you have iOS 16, all you need to do is open the message, tap and hold it, then select the “Unsend” option from the menu that pops up.

If you don’t have iOS 16, there are still ways to unsend a message, but they involve more steps. However, when unsending a message, you need to be quick. If you take more than 15 minutes to do so, it will already be too late. Not only will the recipient have likely seen the message, but after this time, iOS will not allow you to delete your message.

So if you want to make sure your embarrassing messages never see the light of day, it’s best to upgrade to the latest version of iOS as soon as possible and follow the instructions mentioned here.