There's an Easy Way to See All the Unsent Messages in Your iMessage Conversations (2024)

While you can quickly see the edit history of a modified iMessage in the Messages app, there's no way to view an iMessage that somebody in the conversation deleted unless you happened to see it before it disappeared. But that's only true if you didn't implement these security measures on your iPhone.

When somebody deletes an iMessage, they could be trying to cover up a harmless error or undo something they accidentally meant to send to someone else. But they could also be trying to take back something they wrote in haste, something they're hoping you didn't get a chance to glance at before it disappeared. Whatever was deleted could be important, for better or worse.

If your curiosity gets the best of you, there's a way to find out what gets deleted in all your iMessage chats, but only if you prep ahead of time. Technically, there isn't a way to see deleted iMessages on iOS 16, nor iPadOS 16.1 and macOS 13 Ventura, for that matter. But you can still get around that limitation.

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Option 1: Use a Device with an Older Operating System

This is probably the easiest and most discrete option, making the most sense if you have an extra Apple device that you don't use very often. Any device running one of the following software versions will be able to see original messages untouched by edits or deletions.

  • iOS 15 or lower (for iPhone, iPod touch)
  • iPadOS 15 or lower (for iPad)
  • macOS 12 Monterey or lower (for Mac)

When a contact unsends an iMessage they sent you, you'll see "[Contact Name] unsent a message" instead of the original message on iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, or macOS 13 Ventura (middle screenshot below).

However, the message stays put on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or macOS 12 (right screenshot below). The sender will get an alert saying, "[Your Name] may still see the message on devices where the software hasn't been updated" (left screenshot below), which may dissuade them from trying to delete anything in the future.

There's an Easy Way to See All the Unsent Messages in Your iMessage Conversations (1)
There's an Easy Way to See All the Unsent Messages in Your iMessage Conversations (2)
There's an Easy Way to See All the Unsent Messages in Your iMessage Conversations (3)

So if you have an old iPhone that you haven't traded in, an iPad you only use sometimes, or a Mac that you can't upgrade to Ventura, it may be a good idea to keep them around with iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or macOS 12 Monterey installed so you can always see changes in iMessage conversations — even if it's not until later when you can access the device.

Note that for this to work, you'll need to make sure that "Messages" is enabled for iCloud so that all of your messages sync between your iCloud-connected devices. According to Apple, you also need iCloud Keychain turned on and two-factor authentication on your Apple ID to enable Messages in iCloud.

Option 2: Disable iMessage and Use SMS Only

This is the most inconvenient option since all of the iMessage features you've come to love will be useless to you. If you're willing to give up various iMessage features like screen effects and rich collaboration to see green bubbles instead of blue, it's worth a try at least.

To turn off iMessage on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings –> Messages, then toggle off the "iMessage" switch. Doing so won't remove your past iMessage conversations, but all future messages you send and receive will be SMS or MMS messages.

There's an Easy Way to See All the Unsent Messages in Your iMessage Conversations (4)
There's an Easy Way to See All the Unsent Messages in Your iMessage Conversations (5)

On your Mac, open the Messages app, then use the Command-, keyboard shortcut or click "Messages" in the menu bar and choose "Preferences." Then, select "Settings" under the "iMessage" tab and "Sign Out" completely. You could also just uncheck your phone number to stop receiving iMessages on your Mac and pick an email address from which to start new iMessage chats, but signing out is probably easier.

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With iMessage disabled on all your devices, any iMessage somebody sends you will be received as an SMS or MMS message using your cellular network. They will count against your text allowance if you have one. Since it becomes an SMS or MMS, it will show up as such on the sender's device. Text messages are not editable and can't be unsent like iMessage, so you won't ever have to worry about the new "Edit" and "Undo Send" features in iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, or macOS 13 Ventura.

Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new features for Podcasts, News, Books, and TV, as well as important security improvements and fresh wallpapers. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.5 update.

Cover photo and screenshots by Daniel Hipskind/Gadget Hacks
There's an Easy Way to See All the Unsent Messages in Your iMessage Conversations (2024)

FAQs

Is there a way to see unsent messages on iMessage? ›

The bad news is that you can't see an unsent message if you're using an iPhone running iOS 16 or higher (or an iPad operating iPadOS 16.1 or higher or a Mac computer with macOS 13 Ventura or higher). That would defeat the purpose of being able to unsend a message, after all, so it makes sense that Apple prevents this.

Is there a way to find out what an unsent message said? ›

For Android
  1. Launch the Settings app on your Android phone.
  2. Select the Apps & Notifications option.
  3. Then, click on Notification History.
  4. If you have turned on history, you will see your notification log include the notification of the unsent messages.

Can people still see unsent Imessages? ›

The recipient can read your message before you unsend it. If you unsend a message, it will disappear from the recipient's screen, but they'll be notified that you unsent it. Now that you know how it works, here's how to unsend a message: While in an iMessage conversation, tap and hold the message you want to unsend.

How long do unsent messages stay on iMessage? ›

The iMessage will disappear from your thread, on both your end and the recipient's. A message will appear on your thread, stating that your message has been unsent, but that the recipient may have already seen it. You only have 2 minutes to unsend an iMessage.

Can you see deleted messages on an iPhone? ›

You can restore messages you deleted for up to 30 days. Open the Messages app on your iPhone. In the Messages conversation list, do one of the following: Tap Edit in the top-left corner, then tap Show Recently Deleted.

How to view unsent messages on iPhone mail? ›

Check the Outbox for unsent email

In Mail, go to your list of mailboxes. Tap Outbox. If you don't see an Outbox, then your email was sent. Tap an email in the Outbox.

How do you see someone's unsent DM? ›

Unsent messages are deleted from both devices. If you or the other person unsend a message, it means neither of you can access it. In this case, you can try viewing the message from your notifications or notification history, if you cleared them.

How to view unsent messages on Messenger iOS? ›

Step 1) On your iPhone, open the Messenger app. Step 2) Look in the 'Outbox' folder and check if the message was sent but not delivered before being unsent, it might still be there. Step 3) If you find any messages in the Outbox, you can open them to see unsent messages on Messenger.

How to see unsent messages on Messenger 2024? ›

Here are the steps you need to follow:
  1. Open Settings on your Android device.
  2. Now, tap on the Notifications option.
  3. Tap on the Advanced Settings or Manage Notifications (This option might vary based on the Android model you're using).
  4. Locate the Notification History option.
  5. Enable the Notification History option.
Feb 6, 2024

Can another person see deleted messages on iPhone? ›

In the Messages app , you can delete messages, attachments, and entire conversations from your iPhone anytime, without affecting what your recipients see. Tip: Use Undo send to retract (within 2 minutes) a message you sent accidentally, deleting it from both your phone and your recipient's phone.

How do I get back deleted messages? ›

  1. Open the Messages app on your phone,
  2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner,
  3. Open the Recycle bin,
  4. Check your deleted text messages,
  5. Long tap the message you want to retrieve,
  6. elect Restore at the bottom,
  7. Now check if the message is restored in your inbox.
Mar 20, 2024

Can someone see if you delete a conversation on iMessage? ›

No, deleting a conversation from iMessage on your iPhone does not notify the other person, and their side of the conversation will still be visible to them. When you delete a conversation, it only removes it from your device, and the other person retains their copy of the messages.

How to see unsent messages in iMessage? ›

And no, there's no way to retrieve that unsent message. Once you unsend it, it's gone.

Do unsent messages disappear on iPhone? ›

The message disappears and a notification that says "You unsent a message" appears. You can unsend an iMessage for up to two minutes after you send it.

Are deleted messages on iMessage gone forever? ›

You can only recover messages and conversations that you deleted within the last 30 to 40 days. If you delete a message before you update to iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or later, you can't recover that message.

Can you still see unsent messages on Messenger on iPhone? ›

You can view unsent messages on Facebook Messenger using an app that syncs your notifications. The Messenger app on iPhone includes an optimized Outbox feature that enables users to view unsent messages.

What app can see old unsent messages on Messenger? ›

You can use several methods to see unsent messages on Facebook Messenger including using third-party apps like mSpy, Notisave, Unseen Messenger, and Filterbox AI Notification Manager. You can also use notification history on Android and iPhone, Outbox of iPhone, and email notifications on your phone.

How does iMessage Unsend work? ›

No. Although Apple continues to improve iMessage, you can only edit or unsend messages to other Apple users. While there was early speculation Apple may support RCS or create an iMessage app for Android users, Apple's latest software updates, macOS Sonoma, iOS 17, and iPadOS 17, shipped without it.

References

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