Shh! How to Delete Text Messages

We all know the sting of regret. Sometimes it’s for something minor—like leaving behind that perfect pair of jeans at the thrift store—and sometimes it’s for something major. Have you ever said something you can’t take back? Something hurtful to a friend or made a joke in poor taste? Once you’ve verbalised something, there’s no putting the words back in your mouth.

There was once a time that the same could be said about the written word. You can’t unsend a letter but, fortunately, thanks to technology, you can unsend a text. What a time to be alive. 

Here’s how to delete text messages from a variety of devices and apps. 

iMessage

A tricky little set-up, when you delete an iMessage, it only vanishes from your own device. Unfortunately, it stays on the phone of the recipient. No, deleting the message on one end won’t erase it from the other—but newer phone users are in luck. On devices with iOS 16 or later, users have the ability to unsend or even edit iMessages.

How to Delete Text Messages from iMessage by Unsending

1. Open the conversation on your iOS device.
2. Scroll to the message that you would like to delete. 
3. Tap and hold the message in question.
4. From the menu of options that appears, select “Undo Send.”

The message will disappear from the conversation, but be mindful: if the recipient is using an older version of iOS, they might still see it in the chat. 

How to Edit iMessages

1. Open the conversation on your iOS device. 
2. Scroll to find the message that requires editing. 
3. Tap and hold the message. 
4. From the menu that appears, select “Edit.”
5. Modify the message as needed. 

The other person (or people) in the chat will see a note underneath indicating that the message was edited.

Can People Tell? Unfortunately, yes. In both of the above cases, all members of the chat will be able to see if a message has been edited or unsent, with a note appearing before the unsent message vanishes.

Standard Texts (SMS)

The sad news for anyone looking to undo something that shouldn’t have been said is that removing a text message from your device doesn’t actually erase it from the other person’s phone. If you’re simply looking to free up some storage, this option works fine. 

How to Delete Text Messages sent as SMS

1. Open the messaging app on your mobile device.
2. Select the conversation with the message(s) to be deleted.
3. Tap and hold the message you would like to remove to save space on your device.
4. Select “Delete” from the menu.

Hushed

Hushed is a platform specially designed for private conversations. While deleting a message in Hushed removes it from your device, like with other messaging apps, it won’t remove the message from the devices of the other members of the chat.

How to Delete Text Messages in Hushed

1. Open the Hushed app.
2. Find the conversation with the message(s) you want to edit.
3. Tap and hold the message.
4. Select “Delete.”

Hushed also offers an extra layer of privacy, by keeping your messages separate from your regular texts. For anyone concerned about others viewing private messages, Hushed provides a secure environment to quickly and easily delete messages. It also allows users to keep all private conversations in one discreet app, eliminating the risk of mixing them up with everyday texts and chats.