Have you ever been writing a message on Instagram, only to realize seconds before pressing send that it shouldn’t go out? We’ve all been there.
Thankfully, the app has come to our rescue with the new un-send button. But after using this feature, should you worry that the message will still appear on your recipient’s end?
This blog post will cover the specifics of the Instagram un-send function and explain whether there is any risk of your messages still being seen.
We’ll also look at some other ways you can adjust your DM settings for a safer experience on Instagram. So if you’ve ever sent something that you wished never arrived in another person’s inbox, keep reading!
What Is The Instagram Unsend Feature?
Have you ever sent someone a message on Instagram and immediately regretted it? Or maybe you typed it too quickly and made an error. Well, if you have, the good news is that Instagram allows you to un-send direct messages (DMs).
The Instagram Unsend feature is super easy to use. All you need to do is open your DM, find the message that you want to un-send, and press on the three dots next to the message. Then select ‘Unsend’. Once the unsent message disappears from your conversation, it’s gone for good!
So when it comes to sending DMs on Instagram, always keep in mind that un-sending is an option – and that can give us all a much-needed safety net!
| Instagram Unsend Explained | Description |
|---|---|
| What is Instagram Unsend Feature? | The ability to un-send or delete a direct message on Instagram after it has been sent. |
| Can the recipient see it? | If you un-send a message before the recipient has seen it, they will not be able to see it. However, if they have seen it, they will still receive a notification that the message was unsent. |
| How to un-send a message? | Tap and hold the message you want to un-send, select “Unsend,” and confirm the action. |
| Are there limitations? | You can only un-send messages that you have sent, and you have to un-send them within a certain period before the recipient sees them. The feature is not available for group messages. |
How to Unsend A Message?
Once you’ve made the mistake of sending a message that you want to take back, don’t panic. Thankfully, Instagram allows us to un-send messages too. Here’s how:
- Head over to the conversation with the person you’ve sent the message to.
- Tap on the message and select “Unsend Message”.
- Once you do that, a pop-up will appear asking you to confirm your decision simply click “Unsend” if you’re sure about it.
Will They Get The Unsend Message Notification?
So now that you know how to un-send messages, here’s something that’s important: can the person see it before it gets deleted? The answer is both yes and no.
On deleting a message, only the sender would be able to see it the receiver will simply get a notification saying that “This message was deleted”.
However, because notifications travel faster than messages do, there is a possibility that someone might have already seen your message before it gets aborted from its journey!
How Long Do You Have to Unsend A DM?
So the big question is, how long do you have to un-send a direct message once you’ve sent it?
You can un-send your message within 10 minutes of sending it. After that, the message will remain saved in the recipient’s inbox as normal. The only thing that’ll disappear is the notification.
Once your recipient sees the DM, they can go back and read the message at any time. This means that if they open it after 10 minutes, and then decide to delete it, you will still have seen the notification and know that they’ve opened your DM even after they delete it.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re using Instagram on a desktop or laptop computer, this feature won’t work so make sure to double-check before sending any potentially regrettable messages!
Can They See The Unsent Message?
So is there such a thing as un-sending a private message on Instagram?
Yes, but you need to be careful because it’s not foolproof.
The message won’t appear in your conversation anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone forever the person who received the message will still get a notification that someone messaged them, which can be confusing if they don’t know what’s going on.
It also may not be completely deleted off their mobile phone depending on the system and how fast they act making it possible for them to still see the original text.
Tips to Help Lessen The Chances of Someone Seeing An Un-sent Message
To increase your chances of success when it comes to un-sending embarrassing or inappropriate messages, experts recommend the following:
- Make sure to delete any screenshots or copies of the message before you try to un-send.
- Don’t wait too long after sending the message it needs to be done within 10 minutes for optimal results.
- Ask the recipient not to open and/or share the message before you have a chance to delete it.
- If all else fails, apologize for any confusion caused and try explaining why you sent (and then deleted) that particular message in the first place.
But what if you don’t want to delete the message, or want an answer from them? Are there any alternatives?
Yes! Luckily, Instagram gives users a few options when it comes to sending messages. In addition to deleting the message before it’s seen, you can also…
Send a voice note
No need for typing out those lengthy messages. Thanks to DMs on Instagram, you can now record and send voice notes directly in chats.
Just be sure to use your best judgment when recording anything that could potentially be awkward or embarrassing. After all, you never know who might be listening!
Use the disappearing message feature
Need something to really disappear without a trace? This feature lets users send messages that self-destruct after they’re viewed by their recipients.
All recipients will get a notification letting them know that their messages have been deleted and cannot be retrieved again. So if you need something gone—for good this is one of the best options you have.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, Instagram’s un-send feature allows users to delete messages that they have sent in direct messages.
- If the recipient has not seen the message, they will not be able to see it after it has been unsent.
- However, if the recipient has already viewed the message, they will still receive a notification that the message has been unsent.
- It is important to note that there are limitations to the un-send feature, such as the time limit for un-sending a message and the inability to un-send messages in group conversations.
- Overall, the un-send feature can be a useful tool for correcting mistakes or removing unwanted messages, but it is not a foolproof way to guarantee that a message will not be seen by the recipient.