Editing Text Messages in iOS 16 Messages: How to

Eliminate typos by editing text messages on iPhone.

If you know how to edit a text message in iOS 16 Messages, you'll have mastered one of the most significant additions to Apple's iPhone messaging app. You could also save yourself some embarrassment.

Who hasn't sent out what we thought was the perfect text message to friends or family, only to discover an embarrassing typo staring us down? Worse yet, a misplaced word or phrase is confusing the recipients of your text message.

Previous versions of iOS required you to send a quick correction, but iOS 16 eliminates the need for that by allowing you to edit a text message in Messages. It's now just a matter of replacing the misspelt or confusing word or phrase with what you had in mind.

Editing a text message in iOS 16 Messages is fairly simple, but there are some limitations. To begin, you have a 15-minute window after sending the text to make any changes; otherwise, your typo-ridden text is saved in perpetuity. Only iOS 16 users will see the edited text (along with a note indicating that it has been edited); anyone using an earlier version of the iOS software will see a second text with the corrections in place. And, of course, Android users will see no corrections at all.

If you don't mind these constraints, here's how to edit a text message in iOS 16 Messages.

Editing a Text Message in iOS 16 Messages

1. Tap and hold on the text message you want to edit in Messages. Remember that you must complete this within 15 minutes of sending the text.

2. Select Edit from the resulting pop-up menu.

3. Make any necessary changes and then tap the blue check mark to the right of the message when you're finished. If you decide not to edit the message, exit by tapping the grey X to the left.

Your revised message will now appear in the thread, along with a notation that it has been edited.

The ability to edit a text message in iOS 16 Messages is likely the most significant change to Apple's messaging app, but it isn't the only new feature. You can also unsend text messages entirely (again, within that 15-minute window after sending the message in the first place).

Furthermore, you can now collaborate with others in Messages by sharing spreadsheets, slide presentations, documents, and files. Finally, in Messages, you can now launch a SharePlay session to watch videos, listen to music, and share other content without having to initiate a FaceTime call.