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Everyone knows the sinking feeling of hitting the send button a bit too hastily, only to realize that the message was full of embarrassing errors, or even worse, sent to the wrong recipient. Fortunately, technology has evolved to offer a solution to this widespread issue. The latest version of Apple’s operating system, iOS 16, brings a much-anticipated feature to the table: the ability to unsend iMessages.
The Prerequisites for Unsending iMessages
Before you can start unsending messages, there are a few requirements to meet. Both you, the sender, and the recipient need to be using the latest versions of Apple’s operating systems: iOS 16 on iPhone, iPadOS 16 on iPad, or macOS Ventura on Mac.
How to Undo an iMessage on iPhone or iPad
The process of unsending an iMessage on an iPhone or iPad is straightforward. Begin by opening the Messages app and navigating to the conversation containing the message you wish to unsend. Press and hold the message, and then tap ‘Undo Send’. The message will instantly vanish from both your device and the recipient’s.
Retracting an iMessage on Mac
Unsending an iMessage on macOS Ventura is just as simple. Open the Messages app on your Mac, go to the conversation, and place the pointer over the message you want to unsend. Control-click or right-click, then click ‘Undo Send’. The message will be immediately erased from both ends.
Understanding the Limitations
It’s important to be aware of a few limitations to the unsend feature. If you don’t see the ‘Undo Send’ button in your Messages app, it could be because your device hasn’t been updated to the required OS version, or because you’re trying to unsend the message after two minutes have elapsed.
What Happens if the Receiver’s Device isn’t Updated?
If the recipient’s device isn’t running the required OS, the unsent message won’t be deleted from their device, even though it will disappear from yours. Furthermore, if the recipient uses iMessage on two devices, the unsent message will only be erased from the device running the compatible software.
The Time Limit for Unsending an iMessage
You have a brief window of just two minutes to unsend a message. However, you can still unsend a message after the recipient has read it. If the recipient hasn’t read your message and it’s still in their Notification Center, the notification will also disappear.
What Kind of Content Can Be Unsent?
The ‘Undo Send’ feature extends to all content that can be sent via iMessage. This includes text-based messages, photos, videos, voice notes, stickers, Memoji, GIFs, and Digital Touch messages.
Will the Recipient Know a Message Was Unsent?
Yes, when you unsend a message, the recipient will see a sentence that says, “Your name/email/phone unsent a message.” This is a common practice in other apps like WhatsApp, which also inform the receiver that the sender has deleted a message for everyone.
Can SMS Texts Be Unsent on iPhone?
Unfortunately, no. Text messages are sent via your carrier, and once they leave your iPhone, Apple doesn’t have the ability to unsend them. The ‘Undo Send’ feature only works for iMessage, Apple’s encrypted messaging service that operates using Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Editing Messages Instead of Unsending
Besides deleting messages, Apple also allows you to edit them. So, if there’s a minor mistake or typo, you can simply edit the message instead of deleting it. This is a handy feature for quick fixes and minor alterations.
In Conclusion
The ‘Undo Send’ feature is a godsend for anyone who’s ever wished they could take back a hastily sent message. By understanding how to use it and what its limitations are, you can save yourself from potential embarrassment or misunderstanding. So, the next time you hit ‘Send’ too quickly, remember—you have a two-minute lifeline.
What are the requirements to unsend iMessages?
Both the sender and the recipient need to be using the latest versions of Apple’s operating systems: iOS 16 on iPhone, iPadOS 16 on iPad, or macOS Ventura on Mac.
How do you unsend an iMessage on an iPhone or iPad?
Open the Messages app, navigate to the conversation containing the message you wish to unsend, press and hold the message, then tap ‘Undo Send’. The message will instantly vanish from both your device and the recipient’s.
Is it possible to unsend SMS texts on an iPhone?
No, text messages are sent via your carrier, and once they leave your iPhone, Apple doesn’t have the ability to unsend them. The ‘Undo Send’ feature only works for iMessage, Apple’s encrypted messaging service that operates using Wi-Fi or cellular data.