To recall a text message on Android, use the "Delete for everyone" feature in Google Messages. This lets you unsend a message you've just sent, removing it from both your chat and the recipient's view.
Requirements for unsending a message
Three critical prerequisites must be met for the "Delete for everyone" feature to work. First, both you and the recipient must be using the latest version of the Google Messages app. Second, RCS chats must be enabled for both parties, this is the modern chat protocol that powers the recall function. Third, you must act within the time limit, which is generally around 15 minutes after sending the message. If the recall window has passed, you may still be able to recover deleted messages on messenger from a local backup.
Step-by-step guide to delete a message for everyone
Follow these exact steps to unsend a message in Google Messages:
- Open the RCS conversation containing the message you want to recall.
- Long-press the sent message you wish to delete.
- Tap the three-dot menu or the "Delete" icon that appears.
- From the resulting pop-up menu, explicitly choose the "Delete for everyone" option and confirm by tapping "Delete."
What happens after you recall a message
When a message is successfully deleted for everyone, a "message deleted" notification will appear in the chat for both you and the recipient. The original text is replaced by this placeholder. If you do not see the "Delete for everyone" option, it means the requirements are not met, likely because RCS is not active on one side, or the 15-minute window has already passed. If you need to share a message you still have, you can forward text message on Samsung Galaxy to another contact instead.
Limitations and why a recall might fail
Several scenarios can prevent the recall from working. If the recipient is offline when you attempt the deletion, they might still see the message once they reconnect. Similarly, if the recipient is using an older version of the app without RCS enabled, the recall will fail. The 15-minute time limit is another common reason, once that window closes, the message cannot be unsent. Additionally, the "Delete for everyone" feature was rolled out gradually, so it may not be available for all conversations even if RCS is enabled. If a message you sent over iMessage can't be recalled, you can still see iMessage history on verizon bill to confirm exactly what was delivered.
