iMessage gives you a short window to pull back a message or edit it after sending. Undo Send is for messages you want removed; Edit is for typos or wording fixes where the message should remain visible.
These features require iOS 16 or later and work over iMessage with compatible Apple devices.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you sent a message too fast, chose the wrong person, or noticed a typo right after sending.
Undo Send a Message
- Open the conversation in Messages.
- Find the message you just sent.
- Touch and hold the message bubble.
- Tap Undo Send.
- Confirm if prompted. The message disappears and a note shows that a message was unsent.
Undo Send is available for about 2 minutes after sending. After that, the option disappears.
Edit a Message Instead
- Touch and hold the message bubble.
- Tap Edit.
- Change the text.
- Tap the checkmark to save.
You can edit a message up to five times within about 15 minutes. The message shows an Edited label, and recipients can review previous versions.
Important Limits
iMessage Only
Undo Send and Edit require blue-bubble iMessage. Green SMS or MMS messages cannot be pulled back or edited this way.
Compatible Devices
The other person needs a compatible Apple device, such as iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Ventura, or later. Older devices may still show the original message.
Not Invisible
The recipient may briefly see the original message, and the conversation shows that you unsent or edited something.
Groups
Group iMessages support the same features only when everyone is on compatible Apple software. Mixed or older-device groups may not fully honor changes.
Sources
- Apple Support: Unsend or edit a message on iPhone
- Apple Support: Use Messages on iPhone
- Apple Newsroom: iOS 16 Messages features overview