The unsend message feature on WhatsApp works differently. You cannot unsend messages on WhatsApp like you do on most other messaging platforms. You can edit or delete the message after you send it. WhatsApp notifies the recipient about the changes made to the message. In this guide, you will learn different ways to recall messages on WhatsApp.
Table of Contents
2 ways to unsend messages on WhatsApp
Delete Messages on WhatsApp
The delete message feature on WhatsApp is similar to the unsend feature. You can delete the accidentally sent messages in the chats or groups. This works for text messages, media, and even voice messages.
WhatsApp offers two types of delete message features. Delete for Me removes the message from the sender’s device but remains visible to the recipients. Delete for Everyone allows you to remove a message from your device and the recipients’ devices.
But it comes with downsides, too. Firstly, the other person or group to whom you sent the message will know that you have deleted the message. The recipients will see a text saying, “This message was deleted.” However, they won’t know the content of the deleted message. And if the other person is using third-party tools, they can still read your deleted messages on WhatsApp.
Previously, the message deletion feature was limited to 7 minutes after the message was sent, but with a new update, you can delete the message two days after it was sent. If you are a group administrator, you can also delete messages sent by other group members.
How to delete a WhatsApp Message
- Step 1: Go to the message you want to delete. Remember you can only delete the message before 48 hours after sending it. This method works for both Android and iPhone.
Left: iPhone | Right: Android - Step 2: Long press on the message and click on the Delete option on iPhone and the Delete icon on Android.
Left: iPhone | Right: Android - Step 3: Click Delete for Everyone to remove messages for sender and receiver.
Left: iPhone | Right: Android - Step 4: The recipient will see a message: This message was deleted.
Left: iPhone | Right: Android
Edit Messages on the WhatsApp
Edit messages is another way to recall messages on WhatsApp. If you have accidentally sent messages with errors, you can edit the message and make the desired changes instead of deleting it.
Editing allows you to change the content of the message without deleting it. You can edit it within 15 minutes of sending it. Editing messages only works for text messages. When you edit messages, WhatsApp adds the tag Edited to the message you’re editing.
You can edit a message multiple times within the time frame. The edited message doesn’t contain the history of changes. The recipient will only see the final version, not the original one.
How to edit messages on WhatsApp
- Step 1: Open Whatsapp. This method works on both Android and iPhone. Make sure that you are using the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Step 2: Go to the message you want to edit. Remember, you can only edit the message within 15 minutes after sending it.
- Step 3: Long press on the message and click on the Edit option on iPhone, click on the three-dot menu, and click on the Edit on Android.
- Step 4: The recipient will see an Edited Message.
Whether you’ve sent a message to the wrong person, made a typo or regret saying something, you can use these two methods to delete or edit the message both in your chat and with the recipient.
Unlike other messaging platforms like iMessage or Telegram, which delete traces of messages, WhatsApp notifies the recipient of the changes made to the message, whether deleted or edited.
Although this can increase privacy, it can also arouse the recipient’s curiosity as to what has been deleted or edited. Currently, this is the only way to delete messages on WhatsApp. If you want to delete messages automatically, you can enable disappearing messages. If disappearing messages are activated, the messages will be deleted automatically after the time you have set.
FAQs on Ways to Unsend Messages on WhatsApp
1. Can I unsend a message after the time limit has passed?
No, You cannot recall the messages on WhatsApp after the time limit is reached. Delete for everyone is available for 48 hours after messages are sent, and the edit feature is available within 15 minutes of the message being sent.
2. Will the recipient know if I unsend a message?
Yes, When you delete a message for everyone on WhatsApp, The recipients will see a placeholder text indicating, “This message was deleted.” However, they won’t know the content of the deleted message. In the same way, WhatsApp will add an edited tag if the sender edits the message. You can see this tag under the Edited message.
3. How do unending messages impact chat backups?
Whatsapp will not back the deleted messages. However, the edited messages will be backed up like the default ones. The messages still have edited tags after being backed up. Deleted and edited messages are also reflected in the exported chats. When you export the chat, WhatsApp adds this message is deleted, or you delete the message tags, and this message is edited for the edited messages. You can delete the placeholder texts if you don’t want to see this in the chat backup or exported chats.
4. Is there a way to disable the unsend feature for specific chats?
No, WhatsApp deletion for every message is available for all users using the latest version of WhatsApp. In some cases, if the user is using the old version of WhatsApp, he might not have these features. Whatsapp displays a text stating this feature is not supported on your device when it doesn’t support deleted messages.
5. Can I unsend a message sent to a WhatsApp Business account?
Yes, the unsend feature works the same way for messages sent to WhatsApp Business accounts.
6. Can I unsend a message quoted in a reply?
Yes, you can unsend the original message, but the quoted text in the reply will remain visible in the chat for the sender and receiver.
