The latest major operating system update for the iPhone, iOS 16, introduced several upgrades to Apple's Messages app, such as the ability to edit and unsend iMessages. That functionality first became available to test over the summer, thanks to the public and developer betas, but now it's available to all iPhone users running iOS 16. Here's what you need to know.

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How to unsend iMessages

The ability to unsend iMessages is only available to those running iOS 16.

  1. While running iOS 16 on iPhone, open the Messages app.
  2. Find the specific text message you want to unsend.
  3. Long-press on the message.
  4. Tap Undo Send.
    • You can only do this within two minutes after sending a message.
  5. When you tap Undo Send, you'll see a little animation, and then it'll disappear.
  6. The person who received the original message will get an alert in the thread that a message was unsent.

Apple warned that, when you try to unsend an iMessage sent to someone running iOS 15 or earlier, they may still be able to see the message. The same goes if the recipient isn't using a device running iOS 16, in fact. You should also keep in mind that anyone you send an iMessage to might accidentally see it before you unsend it - especially if they preview the text message or catch a notification about it. 

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How to edit iMessages

The ability to edit iMessages is only available to those running iOS 16.

  1. While running iOS 16 on iPhone, open the Messages app.
  2. Find the specific text message you want to edit.
  3. Long-press on the message.
  4. Choose Edit.
    • You can only do this within 15 minutes after sending a message.
    • You are also limited to five edits only.
  5. Type your changes and tap the checkmark.
  6. You’ll now see the edited text marked with "Edited" next to the read receipt.

Want to know more?

Check out Pocket-lint's in-depth guide on iOS 16 for more details about the operating system update, including whether your iPhone is eligible to run it.