With the release of the latest iOS 16, Apple has one much-needed feature which is the topic of discussion at present- unsending iMessages. If you have sent a message that you regret or made a type or sent it to the wrong person, then you can now unsend your iMessages effectively. Now you know how to unsend iMessage with this latest feature available with iOS 16.
Can You Really Unsend an iMessage?
Yes. If you are using version iOS 16 or later, you will have the ability to unsend an iMessage that you have already sent to someone. You now know about unsending iMessage and undo your messages. This enables you to get a sigh of relief even if you have made some mistakes.
But there are some limitations that you need to think off. The first limitation is that there is a time window for unsending your iMessages. The second limitation is the particular requirements for both receiver and sender devices.
Key Requirements to Unsend an iMessage
Before you know about unsending iMessage, there are some key requirements that you need to meet to be able to unsend an iMessage. Both the receiver and sender must meet this particular criteria.
Devices of Both Receiver and Sender must have iOS 16 or Later
The feature of unsending a text is only available on devices that have iOS 16 or later versions. This is why both the sender and receiver of the message must have iPhones runing on iOS 16 or later versions. In case the device of the recipient has an older version of iOS, then they might be able to read the message even if the sender unsends it.
Time Limit
Once you send an iMessage, you have exactly two minutes within which you have to delete the message if you want. Once this 2 minute is passed, the message you will delivered to the recipient, and you will not be able to unsend it anymore. You must remember this thing while sending texts from your iPhone. Now you know about unsending iMessage.
iMessage Only
This feature of unsending messages is only applicable to iMesages only. It is Apple’s exclusive messaging system which is different from other texting systems. Hence, you will not get this feature while sending messages through MMS or SMS.
How to Unsend iMessage on iPhones?
It is quite simple and easy to unsend an iMessage on an iPhone. Your phone only needs to run on iOS 16 or later versions of iOS. Here are the step-by-step procedures that you need to follow to unsend an iMessage:
Open Your iMessage App
Open the iMessage app available on your iPhone, which runs on iOS 16 or later versions.
Choose the Text that You Wish to Unsend
Now you should find the specific iMessage that you want to unsend. But it is important to ensure that it has not been longer than 2 minutes since you have sent the message.
Long Press on the Specific Text
Now tap and hold on to the text that you need to unsend.
Tap on ‘Undo Send’
There will be a pop-up menu with the option ‘Undo Send.’ Choose this option.
Message Removed
The moment you tap on ‘Undo Send’, the message gets removed from the chat of both you and the recipient.
You just need to follow the step-by-step instructions, and you will be able to delete the messages. But it is important for you to delete the message within 2 minutes of sending it.
Tips to Consider Before Unsending iMessages
Before you proceed to unsend an iMessage on your iPhone, here are some essential tips that you must consider.
Ensure the Compatibility
The first thing that you need to do is ensure that your iPhone runs on iOS 16 or later version. The receiver’s iPhone should also run on iOS 16 or later versions. Once these two criteria are met, then you can think of unsending an iMessage.
Check the time frame for How to Unsend iMessage
There is a two-minute time frame since the time you sent the message. Within this window, you have to unsend the iMessage, else the text will get delivered to the recipient. This is why as soon as realize the mistake, you should proceed to unsend the message without wasting even a moment.
Long-Press the Message for How to Unsend iMessage
Find the message and long-press on it. Doing this will give you a contextual menu with various options.
Choose ‘Undo Send for How to Unsend iMessage
From the several given menu options, you are required to choose the ‘Undo Send’. This is the most important step to follow. Upon doing this, your sent iMessage will be unsent.
Confirmation
Once the message is unsent, you will get a small note confirming the same. This will be quite similar to ‘Read’ or ‘Delivered’ status but with the indication that the text has been successfully unsent.
Limitations of This Feature
There are certain limitations to using this feature of unsending iMessages. You must be well aware of these limitations before proceeding to unsend messages.
2-Minute Timeframe
Once you send an iMessage, you have two minutes at hand to unsend the message at your will. If 2 minute passed, then you will not be able to unsend the message anymore, as it will be delivered to the recipient. When knowing about unsending iMessage, this is an important consideration to think of.
Device Compatibility
The iPhones of both the recipient and sender must run iOS 16 or later versions.
iMessage Only
This feature of unsending text is only available with iMessage (blue bubbles). You cannot use this feature when messages are sent via MMS or SMS (green bubbles).
No Notification Removal
In case the recipient of your iMessage has enabled the notifications, even if you delete the message, it might still appear in their notification. But once they click on the notification, they will not be able to access it as you have unsented the message. This is a limitation as the recipient might still read your text through notification.
Troubleshooting Issues with Unsending iMessages
If you are facing some problems while trying to unsend an iMessage, there might be an issue with your device that you must resolve. Here are troubleshooting tips that you should follow:
Update iPhone – How to Unsend iMessage
If your iPhone is running on a phone in older iOS versions, then it won’t have this feature of unsending a message. To do this, navigate to Settings> General>Software Update.
Check the iPhone of the Recipient.
It would also be useful for you to check the iPhone of the recipient because it also might need to be updated to iOS 16 or later versions.
Act within 2 Min
It is important for you to act as soon as possible once you think of unsending the message. You only have 2 minutes at hand to unsend the message, or else the message will be delivered to the recipient.
Confirm the iMessage Status
You need to ensure that you have sent the text via iMessage (blue bubble), not normal SMS or MMS (green bubble). Only then will you be able to unsend the message.
Is This Feature Available on Older iPhones?
No. This feature only applies to iOS 16 or later versions, and older iPhones do not run on these latest iOS versions. This is why you would not be able to enjoy this feature and unsend an iMessage there.
How to Unsend an iMessage in Group Chats?
If you are thinking about unsending iMessage in group chat, then do not worry, as the process is exactly the same in this case, too. But there are some conditions that need to be met:
- All the members of the groups must be using iPhones that run on iOS 16 or later versions.
- You need to unsend the message within 2 minutes.
Conclusion
You must know how to unsend iMessage because it is a valuable feature. This could save a lot of embarrasement at times while you are communicating with people digitally. All you need to do is remember the two conditions and do the needful whenever you wish to unsend an iMessage.
Following the above-described tips and tricks would prove to be beneficial for you when unsending iMessages. This is one of the best features available in iOS 16 or later versions. Now you know how can you unsend an iMessage.
FAQs
How to Unsend a Text on iPhone?
Ans: If you are using an iPhone that runs on iOS 16 or later versions, then you should know how do you unsend a message on iPhone. All you need to do is long-tap on the message and you will have the option of unsending the message.
Can You Unsend a Text on iPhone?
Ans: Yes, you can unsend a sent text on iMessage, provided the iPhone runs on iOS 16 or later versions.
Tips to Consider to Unsend Message iPhone?
Ans: You have to ensure both your and the recipient’s iPhones run on iOS 16 or later versions.
Should You Know How to Unsend a Message on iMessage?
Ans: If you are interested to know about how to unsend a message, then it would be better for you to do some prior research on this.
How to Unsend an iMessage?
Ans: You need to select the message and long-tap on it and you will get the option to unsend it.
