Can You Delete iMessages for Everyone?

Have you ever tapped Send and felt your stomach drop because that message went to the wrong person, or maybe to the right person but with the wrong tone? 

I’ve been there too, and the first thing I wondered was, “Can I just wipe it off both phones before they read it?” 

If you’re asking the same question, you’re in the right place. In this post I’ll break down exactly what Apple lets you do (and, more importantly, what it still doesn’t).

I’ll even show you the fastest recall tricks in iOS 18, and point you toward other iOS‑friendly messaging apps that do offer true “delete for everyone” power.

Can You Delete iMessages for Everyone - The Short Answer

No, you can’t delete an old iMessage from the other person’s phone once the two‑minute recall window closes.

You can, however, pull back or edit a brand‑new iMessage, only if you move fast.

But if true two‑sided deletion matters, apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal give you a longer grace period.

Can You Delete iMessages for Everyone - The Long Answer

Apple’s philosophy is simple: you own the copy on your device, your recipient owns theirs. 

That means any delete action you take after two minutes is strictly local; it never reaches their phone.

Apple’s own support docs lay it out bluntly; delete any time you like, but it “does not affect what your recipients see.”

The Two‑Minute Safety Net (Undo Send)

iMessage gives you a two-minute window to unsend a message after it’s been delivered. 

Just tap and hold the message bubble, then select Undo Send. If you're within that time frame, the message will disappear from both devices, showing a “Message Unsent” notice. 

But once two minutes pass, there’s no going back as it stays on the recipient’s phone.

The 15‑Minute Mulligan (Edit)

If you catch a typo or want to rephrase something, iMessage gives you 15 minutes to edit a sent message. Just press and hold the bubble, tap Edit, make your changes, and hit ✔️.

The updated message shows an “Edited” tag, and the recipient can still view the original versions if they choose.

Recently Deleted Folder

Anything you delete on your end goes into a 30‑day holding pen called Recently Deleted. It’s a lifesaver for those moments where you accidentally delete the wrong message, but only for your copy of the chat.

Limitations Apple Doesn’t Talk About

While iMessage now lets you unsend or edit messages, there are a couple of things that are often overlooked. 

For example, if the other person is on iOS 15 or earlier, your deleted message still shows on their device. And if your message is sent as SMS (green bubble), it can’t be unsent at all.

You also can’t delete an entire thread from both phones like you can on Telegram. Despite rumors, Apple hasn’t expanded these features in iOS 17 or 18, so for now, that short window is all you get.

Messaging Apps for iOS That Do Let You Delete for Everyone

WhatsApp: 48‑Hour Grace Period

WhatsApp currently gives you two days to erase a message for everyone: long‑press, tap the trash can, and pick Delete for Everyone. Both devices must run a recent version of WhatsApp, and recipients may still have media saved to Photos.

Pros: Cross‑platform, end‑to‑end encryption, generous recall window.
Cons: Metadata may still live on backups; deleted messages leave a “You deleted this message” stub.

Telegram: No Time Limit Deletion

Telegram lets you wipe any message you sent or received years later, and it disappears without a trace for both sides. The developers explicitly market this as “complete control of any private conversation.”

Pros: Unlimited window, optional global auto‑delete timers, can clear entire chats in two taps.
Cons: Cloud‑based encryption (except Secret Chats) means Telegram technically holds keys; privacy purists may prefer Signal.

Signal: 24‑Hour “Delete for Everyone”

In Signal you get 24 hours to retract a sent message: tap‑and‑hold > 🗑 > Delete for Everyone. After a day, it’s locked in. The app also supports disappearing‑message timers for ongoing privacy hygiene.

Pros: Open‑source, nonprofit, best‑in‑class privacy.
Cons: Shorter recall window than WhatsApp; if the other party screenshots, the text can live forever.

Facebook Messenger: 10‑Minute Unsend

Messenger’s unsend window is a mere 10 minutes. Hold the bubble > Remove > Unsend. The recipient sees a notice that something vanished.

Pros: Everyone already has it; works on the web.
Cons: Tiny window, creates a conspicuous “You removed a message” banner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off Messages in iCloud help me delete for everyone?

Sadly, no. Syncing only affects your devices. It has zero impact on your friend’s copies.

If I delete a message from Recently Deleted, can forensic tools still recover it?

For typical users, once it’s purged from Recently Deleted it’s gone. Forensics can sometimes recover fragments from local backups, but the recipient’s copy is the bigger threat.

Can I legally force someone to delete a message?

Barring a court order, you’d need their consent. Message ownership on their device is their legal territory.

The Bottom Line

Right now, iMessage gives you convenience and tight Apple integration, but it only offers a two‑minute parachute. 

If you routinely need to pull messages back after you’ve slept on them, or if you’re handling data that just shouldn’t persist, consider adding another messaging app to your iPhone. 

WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal each trade convenience for varying levels of control and privacy. Pick the one that matches how long you want to be able to say, “Oops, let me fix that.”

Until Apple expands the recall window, the smartest move is prevention: think twice, type once. And if that fails, move faster than the timer.

Also Read: Are Text Messages Stored on Your Phone?