How to Edit and Unsend iMessages on iPhone

Difficulty
Beginner
Tested on
iOS 18.4 - iPhone 15 Pro
You will need
iPhone running iOS 16 or later, active iMessage account

Step by step

  1. 15 sec

    Open the conversation thread

    Launch the Messages app from your Home Screen or App Library. Select the conversation thread containing the iMessage you wish to modify or remove.

  2. 15 sec

    Access the context menu

    Locate the specific iMessage within the bubble. Long-press on the message bubble to reveal the hidden options menu.

    Note: You have a 15-minute window to edit or unsend a message after it is delivered.
  3. 1 min

    Modify the message content

    Tap Edit from the list of options. The message bubble will transform into an input field where you can correct or rewrite your text.

    Note: The recipient will see an 'Edited' tag next to the message bubble.
  4. 10 sec

    Commit the changes

    Tap the blue checkmark button to the right of the text field to save your changes. Tap the 'X' button to discard edits and revert to the original message.

  5. 30 sec

    Retract the message

    To delete a message entirely, long-press the bubble and select Undo Send. The message will disappear from both your device and the recipient's device.

    Note: If the recipient is on an older version of iOS, they may still see the original message.