How to See Unsent Messages on Messenger Using iOS and Android?

| Updated on March 4, 2024 |
Fact checked by Manpreet Kaur Sandhu

Have you ever sent a message, only to regret sending it later? Well, many of us have been in that condition, once at least. However, with the unsent messages feature of Messenger, many don’t have to live with the guilt and regret of sending a message that they shouldn’t have.

Even though the feature is helpful at times, there is still a question revolving around it that needs to be answered, how to see the unsent messages on Messenger? In this article, we are going to talk briefly about how you can see them using pretty easy ways.

Quick Answer
There is no official way to see unsent messages on Facebook Messenger. However, you can consider using alternative ways that include some methods like enabling notification history, and by using third-party apps.

What are Unsent Messages on Messenger?

An unsending message means deleting a text that you have already sent. Sometimes there is a mistake you make while typing, or you send something to your friend/any person, and you regret it after sending it.

Unsent a message

For such cases, all social media applications provide some sort of feature for deleting messages. This feature of removing the sent message is called unsend in the messenger application. For example, you delete the message on WhatsApp, similarly, you can unsend the message on Messenger.

Can you See Unsent Messages on Messenger?

Even though you get notified when a certain someone unsends the message that they had sent, there isn’t any direct way to see the content of the unsent messages.

Hence, seeing unsent messages on Messenger using your Android or iOS devices is impossible. Once it is deleted it is gone forever, you cannot retrieve it from the messenger. But, some methods can help you to retrieve old messages and unsent messages on Messenger. However, it is worth noting some easy and quick fixes for Facebook Messenger notifications

How to Read Unsent Messages on Messenger? Methods to Consider

To learn how to read unsent messages on Messenger, below are some ways for both Android and iOS users. However, you can consider using these methods to recover secret conversations on Facebook Messenger

Enable Notification History

To your knowledge, the Android mobile interface provides a feature to enable notification history without downloading any third-party apps. To view unsent messages, you must first turn on it. Here’s how to do that:

  • Tap on the Settings of your Android device.
  • Next, tap on the Notifications.
    Tap on notifications
  • Navigate to Advanced settings.
    Navigate to Advances settings
  • Find the option, that says Notification history.
    Tap on Notification history
  • Toggle on the button.
    Toggle on the button

Notes

Depending on the model of your Android device, the steps may slightly differ. 

You might wonder, how to see unsent messages on Messenger on iPhone. Unfortunately, you cannot enable notification history in iOS devices and there is no direct way to see unsent messages on iPhone. But, you can still consider using some alternatives.

To enable notification:

Go to: Settings>> Notifications>> Show Previous>> Always

Take a Sneak Peek From the Lock Screen

You might have noticed that whenever you get a text, your phone blinks it on the locked screen. So, if you want to know how to see unsent messages on Messenger without using any app, you must consider trying this trick, by sneaking through your locked screen notifications. With this, you will be able to read messages before it gets unsent. However, this doesn’t give a surety, as the message vanishes when unsent.

How to See Unsent Message on Facebook Using Third-Party Apps?

These apps work by saving your notifications. When you get a message you get a notification and these apps save these notifications before it is deleted or unsent.

  • Download and install the Notisave application from the Google Play Store.
  • Start the app, and you will be asked to Allow Notisave to send you notifications. Allow it.
    Tap on Allow
  • Search and toggle on the Allow notification access.
    Toggle on Allow notification access
  • To give access to photos, files, and media on your device, tap on Allow.
    Tap on Allow
  • All the apps will be loaded on your Notisave app.
    The apps will be loaded
  • Now all notifications on your device will be saved, and you can access them even if people unsend them or delete them.
    notification

Apart from this, consider using other apps like Filterbox (which supports Android), Pushover (which supports both Android and iOS), and more. However, you have to enable Messenger notifications for this to work, or else your Messenger notifications won’t get saved on Notisave.

Notes

Notisave is only available on Google Play for Android devices and not on the App Store for iPhone and other iOS devices.

How to See Unsent Messages on Messenger Without App?

If you want to see unsent messages on Messenger without an app, you need to turn on “Notification history” in your settings. By doing this, the messages will be saved before getting unsent, which you receive on Messenger. However, you need to keep in mind that this method is only for some Android users, as devices differ in functionality and options from one to another. 

To turn on notification history:

Go To: Settings << Notifications <<Advanced settings << Notification history << Turn on Notification history.

After following these steps, you will be able to see any unsent messages on Messenger by navigating to your Messenger notification history.

However, just turning on “Notification history”, will not help you to see previous unsent messages on Messenger. Whereas, you will only be able to see the unsent messages in the future. 

How to Unsend Messages on Messenger?

You have sent a text to someone or some secret message link on someone’s Facebook profile, and now you regret sending it. Don’t worry, you can unsend it. 

Here’s how to unsend a FB message: 

  • Open the chat you want to unsend the message on.
    Open the chat
  • Click for a little longer time (Long press) on the message you want to unsend.
    Long press the message
  • Tap on More.
    Tap on mores
  • Next, select Remove.
    Select remove
  • Select “Unsend”.
    Select unsends
  • Your message will be unsent. 

Notes

You can unsend the message within 10 minutes of sending it. If you try to unsend it after 10 minutes, you won’t be able to do it. 

Conclusion

To sum up, you can view unsent messages through certain methods that include notification features and third-party apps. However, you might have heard that Facebook allows you to download a copy of your data, including sent and unsent messages. But, unfortunately, you cannot recover unsent messages by this means. 

FAQ

Is there any way to see unsent messages on Messenger?

No, it is not possible to see unsent messages on Facebook Messenger in a direct way. Hence, you can consider using some alternative methods that include third-party apps and notification features. 

How can I retrieve deleted messages from Messenger?

You can consider recovering deleted messages by viewing your old email notifications. 

How can you permanently delete the messages on Messenger for yourself?

To delete the messages for yourself permanently on Messenger, you just have to follow these simple steps:

  • Open the chat where you want to delete the message.
  • Then press and hold the message that you want to delete.
  • Click on Remove and select Remove for you.


Janvi Panthri

Senior Writer, Editor


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