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How to Fix Unsend Messages Facebook Messenger

Can’t unsend a message on Messenger? [Here’s why!]

I once accidentally sent my boss an “I love you” via Facebook Messenger—a mistake that could have easily caused a ruckus in my personal and professional life. 

Good thing embarrassing messages made by mistake on Messenger are easy to correct. But what happens if such an unsend option is unavailable? What can you do? 

Well, you don’t have to be in a bind as we can look at the different reasons behind this issue showing us how it can be resolved quickly. 

If you can’t unsend a message on Messenger, it means the other person isn’t a friend or your account is on their block list. However, the unsend button may also be inaccessible due to Messenger app errors, bugs, and glitches.

If that didn’t work, don’t lose heart! In this post, we’ll show you nine things you can do when you can’t unsend messages on your Messenger. To start, we’re letting you have a look at the reasons why you could be in a messaging dilemma. 

Why can’t I unsend a message on Facebook Messenger?

Below are common reasons you can’t unsend a message on the Messenger app and website. Truly, determining the appropriate solution is a lot easier when you understand the root causes of the error.

1. The user has blocked you 

The most probable reason you can’t unsend a message on your Messenger app is that the person on the other end blocked your account. When this happens, your account is automatically unfriended, limiting your interactions with them.

The user has blocked you

As a result, you won’t see the “Unsend” or “Remove for everyone” option when deleting a message you sent that specific conversation. 

This usually happens when you don’t remove your message immediately, giving the other person time to block your account.

Thus, whenever you can’t unsend messages on Messenger, it’s reasonable to think you were blocked. Unfortunately, this option will only reappear for the specific conversation once the other user unblocks your account.

2. You aren’t friends on Facebook 

Not being friends with the person you’re chatting with also explains why you can’t unsend messages in your conversation. Facebook accounts that aren’t friends will have limited interaction options, so you can’t unsend your messages.

While you can still remove the message for you, it won’t disappear from the other person’s Messenger. It’s why you should be careful when chatting with people you aren’t friends with, so you don’t send messages you’ll regret.

However, it’s also likely for the other person to unfriend you before you can unsend the message. You can confirm this by visiting the person’s profile and checking for an “Add Friend” button.

You aren’t friends on Facebook

Note: The Add Friend button indicates you aren’t friends yet.

3. There’s a bug on Facebook

Believe it or not, bugs and glitches can prevent you from unsending Facebook messages. In this regard, constantly update your Facebook and Messenger apps to the latest version to ensure they receive patches for recurring problems.

Otherwise, you must update your web browser if you sign into Messenger via the Facebook website. Sometimes, things can be more complicated as you might need to wait for Facebook to release a hotfix to solve your problem.

4. You don’t have mobile data 

Since Messenger is an online messaging app, you must connect to the Internet before using its services. It’s true even when you’re only removing your sent messages since the app needs to communicate with the Messenger server.

Moreover, Messenger has to be connected with the other person’s account to remove your message on their end. 

Therefore, you can’t unsend messages on Messenger without a working mobile data connection unless you connect to a WiFi network.

You don’t have mobile data

It can also happen when you reach the data allocation limit of your monthly plan. Once you reach this data limit, you must renew or upgrade your data plan with your mobile network provider.

Why do I only see the option “Remove for You” on Messenger? 

If you only see the “Remove for you” option when trying to unsend your messages, your interaction options with the other users are limited. It happens when they block your Facebook account or remove you from their friend list.

As a result, you can only remove unwanted messages on your side of the Messenger app. Unfortunately, the other person can still view your messages.

Can’t Unsend a Message on Messenger: How to Fix the Issue

FIX 1. Check whether your friend blocked you

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix20 seconds
Things NeededA PC or smartphone
A working internet connection

When troubleshooting a problem, gathering information regarding the possible causes is essential. Therefore, you must confirm whether or not your Facebook friend blocked your account to limit your interactions on Messenger.

Doing so will prove why you can’t unsend a message on Messenger and help you decide how to troubleshoot this problem. Remember, this method’s result will affect what solution you should try next.

Step 1: Go to your Facebook account.


Note: You can sign into Facebook using their phone app
or official website via a PC web browser.
Step 2: Click Facebook’s search bar.

Step 3: Enter your Facebook friend’s name
and click Search.

Step 4: Check if your friend is in the search results.


Note: If they blocked you, you won’t find your friend’s account
in the search results. You must contact them using other means
and convince them to unblock your account, even if only
to unsend your messages.

FIX 2. Try adding the person as your friend again 

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix20 seconds
Things NeededA PC or smartphone
A working internet connection

If the other person removed you from their friend list, you must add them back to unlock more interaction options on the Messenger app. 

Try asking them politely since they may have removed your account accidentally or because they reached the friend limit.

If the removal was intentional, you can’t unsend your messages on the Messenger app unless they add you back as a friend. Unfortunately, this method’s success hinges on the other person’s decision.

Step 1: Go to your Facebook account and
click the search bar.

Step 2: Enter a person’s name you want to
find and click Search.

Step 3: Switch to the People tab to narrow
the search results.

Step 4: Select the person you’re looking for.

Step 5: Click the Add Friend button and wait for the
person to accept your request.

FIX 3. Use the Facebook website to unsend your messages 

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps7
Time to Perform Fix50 seconds
Things NeededA PC or smartphone
A working internet connection

Unsurprisingly, bug-related Facebook and Messenger errors are easier to fix since you don’t rely on another person’s mood. For instance, you can always try signing into the Facebook website if you can’t unsend messages on your Messenger app.

It’s the most straightforward solution whenever your smartphone Messenger app is acting up. Unfortunately, using the Facebook website is only an alternative as it doesn’t address the culprit behind your Messenger app’s bugs and glitches.

Step 1: Open any web browser and go to Facebook’s website.

Step 2: Enter your account details and click Log In.

Step 3: Go to Messenger.

Step 4: Select a conversation.

Step 5: Click the kebab menu beside the message you want unsent.

Step 6: Click Remove.

Step 7: Select “Unsend for everyone” and click Remove.

FIX 4. Restart your faulty Messenger app 

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps7
Time to Perform Fix40 seconds
Things NeededAny smartphone
A working internet connection

To address the culprits behind your faulty Messenger app, you must troubleshoot them. A simple way to do so is to restart the app by closing and re-opening it on your smartphone.

This action will stop Messenger’s processes and refresh its running instance. Doing so allows it to correct minor app errors caused by bugs and glitches in its software.

Since this solution deals with a faulty Messenger app, you can skip this part if you only sign in via the Facebook website.

Step 1: Click your smartphone’s recent
apps button.


Note: This button may have a different icon depending on
your smartphone’s brand. However, it’s usually at
the left of the home button. 
Step 2: Swipe the Messenger app
to close it.


Note: You might need to swipe the Messenger app
to the side to close it on other smartphones.
Step 3: Re-open the Messenger app.

Step 4: Select a conversation.

Step 5: Hold the message you want unsent
and click More.

Step 6: Click Remove.

Step 7: Click Unsend.

FIX 5. Clear Messenger’s cache 

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps7
Time to Perform Fix30 seconds
Things NeededAny smartphone

If you still can’t unsend messages on your Messenger app after the restart, it’s time to clear its cache. Remember that all apps store temporary data in their cache to help improve speed since they don’t have to re-download the same data every time.

Unfortunately, cached data may turn corrupt over time, causing performance issues and malfunctions instead. As such, clearing the cache is necessary because you can’t stop your smartphone from storing temporary app data. 

Step 1: Go to Settings.

Step 2: Go to Apps.


Note: The settings menu layout may differ depending
on your smartphone’s brand.
Step 3: Select Manage Apps.

Step 4: Scroll down and select Messenger.

Step 5: Click Clear Data.

Step 6: Select Clear Cache.

Step 7: Re-open your Messenger and follow the previous
instructions to unsend your messages.

FIX 6. Sign out and back into Messenger

Difficulty Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps10
Time to Perform Fix1 minute and 10 seconds
Things NeededA PC or smartphone
A working internet connection

Whether you sign into Facebook via the app or website, this solution should help if you can’t unsend messages on your Messenger. By signing out and in of your account, you can correct minor bugs and glitches on your app.

This solution is effective if you’re still friends with the other person and you only have no access to the unsend button due to an error. Errors like this occur when the Facebook and Messenger servers can’t communicate with your smartphone or PC.

Ultimately, this communication problem may prevent your account from receiving the necessary friendship status updates. 

Once you sign back in, Messenger should download and update the relevant data. With this, the server will confirm your friendship status so you can unsend the messages on your conversation.

Step 1: Go to your Facebook account and click
the hamburger menu.


Note: Click your profile on the upper-right corner if
you’re signing in using a PC web browser.
Step 2: Go to Settings or Settings & Privacy.

Step 3: Select Account Center.

Step 4: Go to Password and Security.

Step 5: Go to “Where you’re logged in.”

Step 6: Select your account.

Step 7: Click Select All.

Step 8: Scroll down and click Log Out.

Step 9: Click Log Out again to confirm.

Step 10: Sign back in and follow the previous steps
to unsend your messages.

FIX 7. Update your Messenger 

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps5
Time to Perform Fix40 seconds
Things NeededAny smartphone
A working internet connection

Updating your Messenger app allows you to receive bug fixes for recurring bugs and glitches. Plus, the new version may bring better optimization, improving its overall performance. 

Sometimes, the Messenger app may act up due to incompatibility issues with your Facebook app. So, this method is also a way to prevent previous recurring errors from occurring again so you can continue to use Messenger without issues.

Step 1: Open Play Store.

Step 2: Tap the app store’s search bar.

Step 3: Search for the Messenger app.

Step 4: Click Update to upgrade your Messenger
app to its latest version.

Step 5: Open your updated Messenger app and follow the previous
instructions to unsend your messages.

FIX 8. Reinstall your Messenger

Difficulty Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps11
Time to Perform Fix1 minute and 20 seconds
Things NeededAny smartphone
A working internet connection

Aside from bugs and glitches, the Messenger app may malfunction due to installation errors. If you can’t unsend messages on your newly installed Messenger app, you’ll know this is the case.

Therefore, the best action is to uninstall and reinstall the Messenger app from your phone’s built-in app store. This action will replace your faulty Messenger app with another version. 

Remember that uou must have a reliable internet connection to prevent corrupt data problems because of packet loss when downloading the app on your smartphone.

Step 1: Go to Settings.

Step 2: Go to Apps.

Step 3: Select Manage Apps.

Step 4: Scroll down and
select Messenger.

Step 5: Click Uninstall.

Step 6: Click OK to uninstall your
Messenger app.

Step 7: Open Play Store.

Step 8: Tap the app store’s search bar.

Step 9: Search for the Messenger app.

Step 10: Click Install to get the
Messenger app.

Step 11: Open your new Messenger app and follow the
previous instructions to unsend
your messages.

FIX 9. Contact Facebook’s support team for assistance 

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix20 seconds
Things NeededA PC or smartphone
A working internet connection

If none of the methods above could fix your faulty Messenger app or account, you must forward your concern to Facebook’s support team. You can email them at “[email protected]” for general concerns.

You can also visit Facebook’s help center to find solutions for the most common problems and issues.

FAQs about Facebook Messenger

Will the person receive a notification if I unsend old messages on Messenger? 


Messenger notifies everyone in the conversation when you unsend a message. It happens for all messages, whether old or new.

Why is there no “Remove for everyone” option on my Messenger? 


A block account or not being friends will make your Messenger app’s “Remove for everyone” option inaccessible. The other person must unblock or add you as a friend to regain this option.

Can you unsend a message on your Messenger after 10 minutes? 


You can unsend messages after the ten-minute mark. This time limit no longer restricts you from unsending old messages on your Messenger app.

How do I delete my messages on Messenger? 


On the Messenger app:

• Hold the message.
• Click More.
• Click Remove.
• Click Unsend.
• On the Facebook website:
• Click the kebab menu beside the message.
• Click More.
• Click Remove.
• Select Unsend for everyone.
• Click Remove.


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