WhatsApp changes to let users edit messages within 15 minutes

Wish you could reword that snarky text message you just sent?

WhatsApp is allowing users to do just that, for up to 15 minutes after they send a message. The popular chat app announced in a blog post that users can correct misspellings, add more details or otherwise change what they have sent to friends, family and colleagues.

The ability to edit messages has started rolling out worldwide and will be available to all users in coming weeks, according to US technology giant Meta, which owns Facebook.

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To fix a text, press and hold the sent message and pick “edit”. After the changes, it will then display “edited,” but those receiving the message won’t be able to see the edit history, WhatsApp says.

Apple last year revealed the ability to edit and unsend iMessages between iPhones in a system upgrade. Those on the receiving end see that a message was unsent and the edit history, the company said.

WhatsApp’s announcement comes after the feature was offered by messaging services Telegram and Signal.

The edit function was introduced by Facebook almost a decade ago.

Around that time, Facebook revealed that more than half its users accessed the site on mobile phones, which are more prone to typing errors.

On Facebook, updates that are modified are marked as edited. A History of the edits is also available for users to view.