How to Unsend iMessage on iPhone and Its Limitations

Hansel Arief

How to Unsend an iMessage

If you’ve ever sent the wrong message to the wrong person, or had instant regret, you can unsend an iMessage - but only under specific conditions. Apple introduced this feature with iOS 16, and while it’s useful, it’s not foolproof.

Steps to unsend an iMessage

1. Tap and hold the message bubble you want to delete.
2. Select Undo Send from the options.
3. The message will instantly disappear from your screen and hopefully, theirs too.

What Happens If You Unsend a Photo or Video?

Yes, photos, videos, and audio messages can also be unsent using the same “Undo Send” feature. But here’s the catch:

• If the recipient has already opened or auto-downloaded the media, they may still have a local copy, even if you unsend it.
• Some messaging settings allow iPhones to automatically save media to the camera roll.
• If the recipient screenshotted or forwarded the content before you deleted it, unsending it won’t reverse that.

In other words, unsending messages or files does not guarantee that they'd be gone for good.

How to Tell If a Message Was Successfully Unsent

There’s no success banner or undo confirmation. But if the message vanishes from your screen after you tap Undo Send, then Apple has processed the request. That said, it only disappears from the recipient’s device if:

• They’re using iOS 16 or newer
• The message was sent via iMessage (blue bubble)
• You acted within 2 minutes

If the other person is on an older iOS version, or if you sent it as an SMS (green bubble), the message won’t be removed on their end.

Can Someone Still See a Message You Unsent?

Yes, they can under certain conditions.

• Push notifications show a message preview before it gets deleted. They usually show between 120 - 200 characters, depending on the recipient's screen and font size and whether it’s on the Lock Screen, Notification Center, or a banner
• Screenshots, screen recording, or simply reading the message quickly before you hit Undo will void the effectiveness of unsending an iMessage.
• Even if you unsend a video or voice note, auto-download or background activity may store it on recipient's local storage.

Basically, unsend is not a guarantee of invisibility. Think of it more like a "polite retraction" than a failsafe delete button.

Can You Edit a Message Instead?

Yes. Alongside Undo Send, Apple also introduced Edit Message, but it only works for iMessages, and only within 15 minutes.

To edit a message:

1. Tap and hold the message.
2. Select Edit, then make your changes.
3. Hit the blue checkmark to send the revised version.

The recipient will see the “Edited” label next to the message, and they can tap it to view the edit history.

If you're fixing a typo or changing tone, editing is less suspicious than retracting the whole message.

Limitations of Undo Send

This feature is helpful, but only within tight guardrails. Here’s what you can’t do:

• Unsend SMS (green bubbles), only iMessages are supported.
• Unsend after 2 minutes as the window is locked.
• Erase media already saved by the other party because Apple doesn’t pull content from a recipient’s storage.
• Remove messages from older devices. It only works if they’re on iOS 16 or later.

Don’t Let Bad Signal Ruin a Needed Unsend

If you’re traveling or switching networks, a weak connection can delay message delivery, making it harder to unsend in time. Eskimo helps prevent that with instant, reliable mobile data in over 130 countries. No roaming fees, no local SIM swaps, and no stress.

And right now, new users get global data to use in 80+ countries free, ideal if you want fast, stable internet wherever you go. Especially handy when every second counts.

FAQs

Can I unsend a message after 2 minutes?

No. Apple’s time limit for “Undo Send” is strictly 2 minutes. After that, your only option is to delete it from your side.

Can I unsend a message on Mac?

Yes, but only on macOS Ventura or later. Right-click the message and choose Undo Send within the 2-minute window.

Can I unsend group iMessages?

Yes, but the same rules apply: everyone in the group must be on iOS 16 or later, and it must be an iMessage.

What about deleted messages, can Apple recover them?

No. Once you unsend a message, Apple doesn’t keep a copy. However, if the recipient downloaded or saved the content, they still have it.

Hansel Arief

I've been the Digital Lead for Eskimo eSIM since 2021. My favorite thing to do while travelling is to find lessser-known hidden gems and try authentic, local cuisines.