You can now unsend messages on Facebook Messenger – here’s how to do it

We’ve all been there: you’ve accidentally sent a message and you wish you could take it back. Whether it's sending the message to the wrong person, or sending the right message at just the wrong time, there are fewer things more cringe-inducing.

It’s been possible to delete messages you’ve sent on WhatsApp for a while and now the unsend feature is coming to Facebook Messenger.

The new feature is rolling out from today to save you from ever having those awkward interactions.

But, there is a catch: you have to make sure you remove the message within 10 minutes.

Facebook says that people usually delete a message for themselves within a minute of sending it, probably once they’ve realised their mistake, so the 10-minute time limit should be enough time.

It also serves another purpose: the platform wants to ensure the unsend feature isn't abused, such as sending and revoking harmful messages in a way that still means someone is forced to read it.

In that instance, if you do receive a harmful message and the sender removes it, for a limited time you should still be able to report the conversation to Facebook to investigate, the same way it works for reporting any conversation in Messenger.

Here’s how to unsend messages on Facebook Messenger

1. Make sure to update the Facebook Messenger app on your phone to access the new feature.
   
2. Tap on the message you to want to remove in the chat and it will come up with two options: “Remove for Everyone” or “Remove for You”.
   
3. Click “Remove for Everyone” and the message will be gone – instead replaced by an alert that tells everyone a message was removed.
   
4. Remember, you only have 10 minutes to remove the message otherwise, it will be forced to stay in the chat forever.

It’s great that Facebook Messenger now allows you to unsend messages you don’t want to be live, but it is frustrating that it informs the other people in the chat that the message has been revoked.

It’s not exactly a subtle way to deal with something you didn’t want to be out in the open.

But, hey, at least it's better than nothing.