How to edit or remove an iMessage in iOS 16

We’ve all done it before: texted and immediately regretted it. Whether it was a text message to your parents with a misspelled saying they would never let you down, a message with a wrong word in it (“I don’t want to come to the party!” instead of “I want to come to the party!”), or this sudden realization that you sent your message to the wrong person – this can be at the very least embarrassing and at worst disastrous.

While messaging apps like Signal, WhatsApp, and Viber all have a version of “Delete for everyone,” previously there was nothing you could do about iMessage other than follow a “I didn’t mean that!” Message.

In iOS 16, Apple is introducing a feature in its iMessage chat app that lets you edit a message or unsend it — as long as you do it within 15 minutes of sending it and The recipient is also using iOS 16, iPadOS 16 or macOS Ventura.

Additionally, it fails inelegantly if the other person is using an earlier version (so don’t rely on this feature during public beta). And there may be some other issues that you should be aware of while using this feature.

Nevertheless, it can be very useful. How to use it in iOS 16 beta:

To change the message

• Long press the message.
• From the drop-down menu, tap To edit.
• Edit your message and tap the check mark to the right of the message to send the correction. (Or tap the “x” to the left of the message if you’ve changed your mind about changing the text).

To delete the message

• Long press the message.
• From the drop-down menu, tap Undo Send.
• The message immediately disappears (in a rather pretty “puff!”).

If you long-press your message after 15 minutes, the Undo Send and To edit Options are no longer in the menu.