Deleting an iMessage on your device does not delete it on the other person's device. The message will only disappear from your view, but the recipient will still have access to the entire conversation as it originally occurred. However, there is a feature called "Undo Send" available on iOS 16 or newer, which allows you to delete a sent message from both your device and the recipient's device—but only if you act within two minutes of sending the message. After this short time window, you cannot delete the message from the other person's phone. In summary:
- Deleting an iMessage normally removes it only from your device.
- The other person will still see the message unless you use "Undo Send" within two minutes of sending.
- "Undo Send" requires both users to be on iOS 16 or newer.
- After two minutes, deletion affects only your own device.
This means that for most deletions after the message has been sent and viewed, the other person retains their copy of the message.
