Facebook has finally realized humans are fallible. As a result, the social network will now let you delete messages sent through Messenger. You will still have to be quick about it, but at least this means the most egregious typos can be erased from existence.
The Mystery of Mark Zuckerberg’s Deleted Messages
This feature hasn’t just appeared out of nowhere. Instead, it has been in the works for months after TechCrunch revealed Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg had the power to delete messages he had sent people. Not that Facebook ever admitted as much.
Facebook claimed Zuckerberg’s messages disappeared for security reasons. Regardless, the social network then promised to develop an Unsend button for everyone. That Unsend button has been undergoing testing for the last few months, and is now ready to roll out.
How to Delete Your Facebook Messenger Messages
As detailed on the Facebook Messenger Blog, from now on you’ll be able to remove a message from Messenger, whether it has been sent to just one person or a group of people. The only caveat being you only have 10 minutes after you have sent it.
Have you ever wanted to remove a message from a chat on Messenger? Starting today, you can easily with just a few taps. Learn more here: https://t.co/ncNG4EXuwb pic.twitter.com/xwTK90GLPT
— Messenger (@messenger) February 5, 2019
If you want to remove a message sent on Messenger just tap on it and select the option to “Remove for Everyone”. The message will disappear, and be replaced by a message telling everyone in the conversation you have deleted it. So you can’t delete it secretly.
Facebook previously let you delete messages from your side of the conversation, and that option remains. Just tap on the message you want to delete and select “Remove for You”. The option to “Remove for Everyone” is rolling out now on Android and iOS.
Facebook: Saving People From Regret Since 2019
Messenger’s new Unsend button isn’t going to change the world, but it may just save you the embarrassment of making a major faux pas. Whether it’s a typo or something more serious. After all, haven’t we all said something in the moment we’ve later come to regret?
Facebook is catching up with the competition here. You have been able to delete messages sent on WhatsApp since 2017, and you have been able to delete messages sent on Snapchat since 2018. Still, it’s better late than never.
Read the full article: You Can Now Delete Messages From Facebook Messenger
