We’ve all had those moments—maybe you sent a message on Instagram a little too quickly, or to the wrong person, or maybe you just changed your mind. Thankfully, Instagram gives you the option to unsend a message. But here’s the part that gets people wondering: Does Instagram notify when you unsend a message?
Let’s break down exactly what happens when you unsend something, if the other person can still see it, and what to keep in mind before hitting that “unsend” button.
What Happens When You Unsend a Message on Instagram
When you unsend a message on Instagram, you’re essentially removing it from the conversation for both you and the other person. It disappears as if it were never there in the first place.
How to Unsend a Message on Instagram?
Unsending a message on Instagram is simple. Just following up with the steps below:
- Go to your Instagram DMs.
- Open the chat where the message lives.
- Tap and hold the message you want to delete.
- Hit “Unsend.”
For step-by-step instructions, you can also check Instagram’s official help guide.
Does Instagram Send a Notification When You Unsend a Message
No, Instagram doesn’t currently send any notifications.
Instagram doesn’t alert the other person when you unsend a message. There’s no notification, pop-up, or message that says “So-and-so unsent something.” The app just quietly removes it from the thread.
Why Doesn’t Instagram Notify Users?
It’s likely by design. Instagram knows that people make mistakes, and sometimes you just need to take something back without drawing attention to it. Whether it was an accidental message or a sudden change of heart, the unsend feature is meant to give you control—without the drama.
Can the Other Person Still See the Message?
Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. While Instagram won’t notify the other person, there are a couple of ways your message might still be seen, even after you unsend it.
If They Read It Before You Unsend It
If the person saw your message before you had a chance to unsend it, there’s not much you can do. Unsending removes the message from the chat, but it doesn’t erase it from their memory. And if they took a screenshot, well… that message might live on forever.
If Push Notifications Delivered the Message
Even if they weren’t actively on Instagram, there’s a chance your message showed up as a push notification on their phone, especially if they have message previews turned on.
Depending on their phone settings, that notification might include part (or all) of your message. And if they saw it there, unsending it afterward doesn’t take the notification back.
So, while the message disappears from the chat, it might not be completely unseen.
Conclusion
Instagram doesn’t notify users when you unsend a message. It’s removed from the conversation, and unless the person saw it beforehand—either in the app or as a push notification—they may never know it existed.
But it’s not foolproof. If they read it before you deleted it, or if their phone previewed it in a notification, there’s always a chance they caught it.
FAQs
Can I unsend multiple messages at once?
No, you must manually unsend each message one by one. Unfortunately, there is no option to bulk delete messages on Instagram.
Can I recover a message after unsending it?
No. Once you unsend something, it’s gone permanently and can’t be restored—even by Instagram.
Is there a time limit for unsending messages on Instagram?
Yes, there is. You can only unsend a message within 10 minutes of sending it. After that, the message becomes permanent in the chat unless both parties manually delete it.