Sending messages has become an integral part of our daily lives, especially with the use of smartphones. But sometimes, we send messages that we wish we hadn’t. Whether it was a message sent in the heat of the moment or one sent to the wrong person, it can be embarrassing or even harmful.
Thankfully, iPhones come with a feature that allows users to unsend messages from both sides. This feature is available in iMessage, which is Apple’s messaging service. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to unsend messages on iPhone from both sides:
Read Also: How to UnSend Accident Emails in Gmail
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How Long do you have to Unsend Messages on iPhone
The time limit for unsending messages on an iPhone is relatively short. Once a message has been sent, you have only a few minutes to unsend it before it becomes too late. This is because iMessage on iPhone uses a feature called “Send with Effect,” which causes the message to be sent quickly and can’t be stopped once it has been initiated.
The exact time limit for unsending messages on an iPhone is 2 minutes. This means that you have only a brief window of opportunity to unsend a message before it becomes impossible to do so. Therefore, it’s crucial to act quickly if you want to take advantage of this feature.
Read Also: How to Create a Group Chat on your iPhone or iPad (iMessage)
How to Unsend Messages on iPhone from Both Sides
1. Go to the Messages app on your iPhone and select a particular conversation whose messages you would like to unsend.
2. Find the message that you want to unsend then, touch and hold the message bubble.
3. From the pop-up menu, tap on “Undo Send.” If the Unsend option is not available, that means that you have exceeded the 2 minutes expiry.
4. A note confirming that you unsent the message appears will appear in both conversation transcripts: yours and your recipient’s.
What Happens After Unsendin Messages?
In case the device of the individual you are communicating with has iOS 16 or a newer version, iPadOS 16 or higher, or macOS Ventura, unsending the message will erase it from their device. However, if the person is using a device with an older version, namely iOS 15.6 or earlier, iPadOS 15.6 or earlier, macOS 12 or earlier, or is using SMS, the initial message will remain in the conversation. After unsending a message, you will be informed that the recipient may still access the original message in the message transcript.