View and manage unsent messages on your iPhone

Have you ever composed a message on your iPhone just to change your mind and never send it? These unsent messages on your iPhone may accumulate over time, leaving your Messages app a mess and could create confusion. This article will, therefore, take you through the steps on how to view and handle your unsent messages, clean your inbox, and avoid sending messages by mistake.

Is there a way to see an unsent message on iPhone?

Yes, it is possible to view unsent messages on an iPhone.

Over the years, iPhone customers the world over have asked themselves whether it is possible to read or recover undelivered messages on their gadgets.

This often happens when you have perhaps deleted a draft unknowingly or have begun a message but never sent it and are wondering how you can retrieve it.

Here are the main methods to view these drafts:

Open the Messages app:

1. Open the Messages app, which is available on your iPhone’s home screen.

2. Find any conversation with a label that says “Draft” next to the conversation.

3. If you want to see the unsent message of the selected conversation, tap on the conversation.

Use the search function:

1. In the Messages app, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the search bar.

2. In the search bar, type in “draft.”

3. This will show all conversations containing draft messages.

Check individual conversations:

1. open a specific conversation in the Messages app.

2. At the bottom of the page, if there is an unsent message, it will show the label ‘Draft.’

3. Click on this label to read the draft and also make any necessary changes to the content.

Use the “Cancel” method:

1. Go ahead and begin to type out a new message.

2. Use the back arrow button or drag down to cancel to close the composition window.

3. Select the “Save Draft” option when asked.

4. That message will be saved as a draft of the particular conversation.

Using the above techniques, you should be able to search and sort out the iPhone’s unsent messages.

Can you unsent SMS text messages on your iPhone?

Unlike some other applications, the standard Messages application on the iPhone does not allow for a message to be recalled once it has been delivered.

Once a message has been delivered the message cannot be erased or retrieved from the recipient’s device as it has been received.

However, there are a few related options and considerations:

1. Cancel before sending. If you notice immediately after sending the message, you should be able to switch the iOS device to Airplane Mode to stop the message from being sent.

2. Delete for yourself. When a message is sent, you can delete it from your personal device, although this will not remove it from the receiver’s equipment.

3. Third-party apps. For instance, some of the messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram allow users to unsend the messages but this doesn’t apply to the default Messages app.

4. Communicate with the recipient. If you have sent a message in error, the best thing to do is to try to reach out with an apology or clarification.

One should also ensure that what was typed is what was intended to be typed to minimize cases of wrong messages being sent.

How to unsend an iMessage on your iPhone?

Although there was a time when one could not delete the message once it was sent through iMessage, Apple has made it possible to recall sent messages for some time.

This functionality has been a nice bonus for many iPhone users who have been in situations where they immediately regret sending a message.

You can unsend a message on iPhone, but with some limitations:

1. Time limit: As soon as you have sent a message, there is a fifteen-minute window to cancel the message you have just sent out.

2. iMessage only: This feature is for the iMessage (blue bubble), not the standard text (green bubble).

3. Both parties need iOS 16 or later: To unsend the message, you and the recipient must be using an iPhone with the latest version of iOS 16.

Let’s go through the steps to unsend an iMessage on your iPhone:

1. Go to the iMessage app on iPhone.

2. Navigate to the conversation that holds the message you wish to unsending.

3. Find the message you want to unsend. Remember that you can only recall messages sent within the last fifteen minutes.

4. To unsend a message, first tap and hold the message bubble that you wish to delete.

5. A menu will appear. Select “Undo Send” option.

6. You will be asked to confirm the action and do so if required.

7. The message sent will no longer be visible in the chat for either you or the recipient.

However, you must know that even if you can delete or undo an iMessage, the other person might see an alert that you have undone it.

How to edit a sent message?

There are five times you can edit a message that you’ve sent in the last 15 minutes.

To edit a sent message, here’s how to do:

1. Tap and open the Message app on your iPhone .

2. Select a conversation and find the message you desire to edit.

3. Tap and hold the message and select the Edit option from the menu.

4. Make changes to the messages and then tap the blue checkmark button to resend the messages. If you don’t want to change, tap the grey cancel option.

Once you have resend the message, you will see a word ‘Edited‘ under the message.

When you tap ‘Edited‘ under the message, you will see the original message above the new message you sent. To remove the original message, tap the Hide Edits.

How to see your kid’s messages on your phone?

Monitoring your child’s digital life is crucial during your efforts to ensure they stay safe online. Though it might sound like a good idea to directly get the phone and check, then report, it is crucial to be patient, respect their privacy, and encourage them to talk.

A better and more honorable approach is to use parental control applications such as FlashGet Kids. FlashGet Kids is one of the most advanced parental control applications, capable of helping you control your kid’s internet usage without interfering with his/her privacy.

Using features such as notification tracking, app usage, and screen time, you will receive notifications and safeguard your child.

Steps to Use FlashGet Kids Notification Tracker:

• Download and install the FlashGet Kids app for parents on your phone from their official website, App Store, and Play Store.
• Register a FlashGet account to sign up and use the app. If you already have an account, please sign in to continue.
• Next, download and install the FlashGet Kids app for kids on your child’s phone.
• Bind the FlashGet Kids parental control app on your phone to the kid’s version on their phone. You’ll dial a 9-digit code from the parental control app onto your kid’s phone.
• Follow the prompts on your kid’s phone to allow the app to access other phone features.
• To enable the Notification feature, go to the FlashGet Kid’s dashboard and then select “Notice.” Click “Notification” to see your kid’s phone notification.
• Scroll down through the notifications to see the messages they get.

Therefore, FlashGet Kids allows you to be aware of your child’s messaging activity without the need to check your phone regularly.

When you incorporate technology with proper parenting, you will be in a position to influence your child’s healthy exposure to the digital world.

Conclusion

Though retrieving unsent messages on an iPhone might be difficult, it is nevertheless important to know how to work with drafts and avoid accidentally deleting messages.

Fortunately, by adhering to the ideas pointed out in this guide, one can raise the possibility of getting back unsent messages and prevent the loss of crucial data.

However, prevention is better than cure, so always carefully review your messages before sending them, or turn on the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode until you are ready to send.

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