Editing and Unsending Messages in iOS 18

Apple introduced the ability to unsend and edit messages using iMessage with iOS 16 back in 2022. If you’re not taking advantage of this feature, you should definitely start.

Apple makes it easy to correct mistakes or messages you regret sending. Sometimes, as you reread your previously sent messages, you realize auto-correct botched the gist of what you were trying to communicate. There are some caveats to unsending and editing messages in iMessage and minor tweaks since iOS 16. Here’s what you need to know.

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Unsending a Message

The first thing you need to know about unsending a message is you only have two minutes to do it. After two minutes, you can still edit the message, but you’ll have lost the opportunity to unsend it. Also, when you unsend a message successfully, it will disappear from the recipient’s device, but not without a trace. A note confirming the unsent message will appear in both the sender’s and recipient’s conversation.

If you unsend a message to someone stuck in time on an iOS version earlier than iOS 16, you’ll be notified that the recipient will still see your original message. You also can’t unsend an SMS, MMS, or RCS message. So, if you’re messaging with someone using an Android phone, the overall experience has improved with iOS 18 and the new capabilities RCS brings to iMessage, but you can’t unsend anything with your Android pal.

To unsend a message, go to your Messages app, long-press on your message bubble, and then tap Undo Send.

Editing a Message

You have 15 minutes to edit a previously sent message instead of the two minutes you have to unsend it. To edit a message, go to your Messages app, select the conversation with the message you want to edit, long-press on the message, and then tap Edit.

If the recipient isn’t using iOS 16 or later, the sender can still edit a previously sent message. However, the recipient will receive a follow-up message indicating a message was “Edited to” and the new message in quotes. Like unsending messages, you can’t edit an SMS, MMS, or RCS message. There is one exception. If you’re in a group conversation using SMS, MMS, or RCS, you can edit a message as long as at least one other person in the group is using iMessage with iOS or later.

Unsending and editing messages is a feature you want to understand how to use. Everyone has one of those “oops” moments. Fortunately, there’s a remedy. It’s also a race against time (two minutes to unsend, 15 minutes to edit), so if you’re sending anything sensitive or private, make sure it’s sent correctly and to the intended recipient. Also, take extra caution to reread your messages before sending them when messaging with Android users.