Android is rolling out support for deleting sent text messages, giving users the ability to unsend messages after they’ve already been delivered. The feature, spotted earlier this year in testing, is now becoming widely available through Google Messages.
The process is straightforward: highlight a message you’ve sent, tap the trashcan icon, and choose whether to delete it only from your own device or remove it for everyone in the chat. The latter option effectively lets users “unsend” a text, preventing recipients from seeing it.
For Android users, this marks a long-awaited update to one of the most basic messaging functions. Apple introduced a similar capability in iOS some time ago, allowing users to both edit and unsend iMessages. Now, Google is catching up by bringing comparable controls to its own platform, though functionality may vary depending on the recipient’s device and messaging app.
While the update will likely be most useful in everyday scenarios—like recalling an accidental message to the wrong person or fixing a moment of regret—it also addresses broader concerns about user control in messaging apps. Competing platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram have long allowed message deletion, making Google Messages one of the last major holdouts.
The ability to delete or unsend texts should help reduce awkward situations, though users should note that there may still be limits on how long after sending a message the option remains available. As always, the safest approach is to think twice before sending—but the new option provides a welcome safety net.
The update is rolling out now to Android devices, so users should check that they’re running the latest version of Google Messages to access the feature.
