Most people get overly concerned with Instagram notifying their intended recipients when they delete a message. But really, does it notify you when you unsend a message on Instagram? Please indulge me as I help you find out in this article.
Hello, friends! It’s me again, Frankie, with another solution to your messaging app problems. I’m an instant messaging app expert, and I’ll help you with my valuable insight on Instagram notifications from my years of technical experience with chat apps.
Instagram’s system and algorithms have indeed changed over the years. And fair enough, it’s marginally varied from what it used to be back in the day. Some of the features we all know have become obsolete, modified, or unavailable.
However, everyone knows that most messaging apps send notifications to unintended recipients even after deleting a message. That begs the question: does Instagram usually notify when you unsend a message and does it work on a PC?
For those of us who’ve been using this application since the early days of its launch, we can attest that Instagram was adept with its notification policy. Nothing could go past you, and the app could notify you of virtually anything happening. However, that’s changed, and I’ll explain how.
If you want to learn more about chat apps and know your way around them with weekly updates, please subscribe to my newsletter!
To help you follow closely, I’ve broken down this article into three distinct parts. I’ve also clearly explained whether Instagram notifies when you unsend a message, and I’m 100 percent sure you’ll get your much-needed answer. The distinct sections in this article include:
- Does Instagram usually notify when you unsend a message to a recipient?
- What Should You Know about Unsending a Message on Instagram?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Unsending an Instagram Message
Ready to roll? Let’s delve into it!

Frankie’s Take:
Having someone get a notification if you unsend a text on Instagram can be downright embarrassing. But unlike the earlier Instagram app versions, the current ones don’t leave a notification, and that’s a good thing!
Does Instagram usually Notify When You Unsend a Message?
Quite a lingering question, that is. But I’ll break it to you; Instagram doesn’t notify when you unsend a message. However, that’s never been the case in the past.
I’ve been using this app since its launch, and I’ve savored every moment I’ve been on it. I’ve had a few moments of sheer embarrassment, sometimes sending messages to the people I hadn’t intended to.
Trust me that can be demeaning.
And the worst part is that they could read what I had written even before unsending the message. So, my only redemption was to unsend the message (hoping it’d make them “unsee” it).
However, that used to leave a scar, a reminder that I had messed up texting the wrong person. And usually, after unsending, the app would leave a “This message has been unsent by the sender” notification on their text panel, which could be visible to both of us.
Some would call asking if I had intended to say something to them, but I’d repeat over and over that, “Sorry, it wasn’t meant for you.”
Thankfully, the current versions don’t have to leave a reminder to your unintended recipient that you messed up this time.
Can you Unsend a Message on a PC?
Yes, you can. Here is the procedure.
- Open your favorite web browser and access Instagram to remove messages from your desktop. If you have not already signed in, do so now.
- Click the Message icon in Instagram’s top-right corner to send a message.
- On the sidebar to the left, find the message you want to delete on the Message page.
- Hover your cursor over this message and click the three-dot menu.
- “Unsend” is the name of the option you want to select.
- To confirm, click “Unsend” on the “Unsend Message?” prompt.
That’s all there is to it!
Please note: Prior to recently, there was no way to delete messages from any web browser. This is a relatively new feature.
How to Unsend Instagram Messages on Mobile
Here’s the procedure to unsend a message for every Android and iOS Instagram app.
- Open and log into the Instagram app.
- Click on the home screen button. The button should be on the bottom left corner, leading you to the next page with a kite icon.
- Open the conversation and scroll to the message that you want to delete.
- Unsend the message by pressing and holding on to it for a second or two until a pop-p message prompts you to unsend it.
- Accept, and the message will be gone instantly, for good!
You may get another pop-up affirming that your message has been unsent. However, please remember that unsending a message may be infeasible if your recipient reports it as soon as they see it.
I promise you that you won’t get any similar pop-ups in the future since they only typically appear for the first time.
What Should You Know about Unsending a Message on Instagram?
Now you know about your recipient not getting notification after sending a message. So, what more should you know apart from that?
I think it’s also best that you understand a few things about unsending a message on Instagram. There’s a lot of misinformation about unsending an Instagram message, and it beats me why people fall into this oblivion.
So, please pay close attention to what I’m about to reveal to you.
There’s no limit to Unsending a Message
You can unsend as many Instagram messages as you wish. And please let me clear the air; you also don’t have any time limit for unsending messages on Instagram.
Facebook’s earlier versions offered a time limit for unsending a message, usually about 10 minutes before the site restricts you from doing it. Frankly, I like to think that this window is tiny, and maybe it should stretch further into an hour – or days, perhaps. But that’s changed now.
However, I feel that Instagram has consistently been a bit more lenient since you can unsend your message a week or more after sending it. That’s pretty much a cherry on the cake since, despite unsending multiple messages simultaneously, you also can do it on your time.
Nevertheless, if your goal is not to let your mistargeted recipient read your message, unsending it almost sooner can come in handy.
There’s No Way You Can Read an Unsent Instagram Message
That goes without saying.
I mean, I’ve said it severally. But I’ll reiterate a bit.
Let’s say someone sent a direct message but unsent it before you could see it. In that regard, I’ll be misleading if I tell you that you can retrieve the message. Unless you read these messages before they get deleted, you can’t, by all means, read a message that your sender has unsent.
However, you can still get a clue of what it was if a notification comes through on your phone’s notification panel. However, that’s more unlikely with the current versions since Instagram now recalls them once a send unsends a message.
Android users can still find a few apps that retain notifications, saving a copy that can give you a clue of what your sender intended to say.
If perhaps you need to see a notification that someone unsends, these apps can come in handy.
Instagram keeps a copy of a message you unsend
Unsending an Instagram message works for you and lets your unintended recipient question why you did that. However, please remember that Instagram usually retains a copy of the messages and permanently stores them for their reference.
So, if you send a bad one and unsend it, please know that your digital evidence stays behind with the Instagram bookers.
You should ensure all your communications on the Instagram platform comply with its rules so that you aren’t subject to review. Perhaps you might sigh with relief that your recipient hasn’t seen a direct message you sent them, but Instagram never forgets.
Unsending Group Messages Work Similarly to DMs
You might wonder if your group’s Instagram message might be unsent like it would with DMs. My response is, yes, it’s possible.
Contrary to popular belief, Instagram doesn’t notify when you unsend a group message. It behaves similarly to direct messages and immediately removes an unsent message from the text panel.
However, you cannot guarantee that not at least a single person hasn’t seen the message, although unsending it removes it entirely.

Frankie’s Take:
Always ensure that your chats and DMs comply with Instagram’s user policy. You don’t want your account suspended for saying something against their regulations, even if you unsend your message. Instagram always keeps a copy, remember?
Frequently Asked Questions about Unsending an Instagram Message
I’ve had many people on my socials wanting to know their way around unsending Instagram messages and whether or not that leaves a notification to their intended recipients. So, here are a few popular questions I’ve had to answer privately.
Can I Delete a Whole Instagram Conversation?
You can delete an entire Instagram conversation on Instagram. The private messages menu lets you delete a whole conversation at once and leaves no digital trail to your unintended sender.
I’ll tell you how.
But first, you must do it in the app, not on a PC browser. You can hover over to the top right corner of the chat you want to delete. You can then click the delete button, and your messages will be gone.
Can my Unsent Instagram Messages be Reported?
Unsending a message only works between you and your recipient. However, Instagram usually retains a copy that remains with them almost permanently, and they can use it to report you if it goes against their policy. In that regard, you might be suspended or lose your account altogether.
How Long Does Instagram Keep my Unsent Message?
Instagram keeps your unsent message for about 30 days before they delete it. That enables them to review and ensure that you comply with their terms. If not, they can suspend your account if your account.
What is the Chance Someone Will See my Message Before I Unsend It?
There’s a hundred percent chance that your recipient will see your message before you unsend it. However, how quickly or slowly you unsend your message determines that. If a lag in the network exists, you might delay unsending your message, and your recipient will see it.
How Do I Get Back an Unsent Message on Instagram?
You cannot retrieve your unsent message on Instagram since the site doesn’t provide that option. Your unsent message is as good as gone, and you can never see it.
Conclusion
And there you have it!
Does Instagram notify you if you unsend a message? No, never. And as much as you want to retrieve your message, Instagram doesn’t offer that option.
The next time you Dm someone by mistake, know that it’s possible to unsend the message, and they won’t see it. However, it’d help if you were quick enough before their phone notifications prompt them.
Here’s a quick rundown of how you can unsend an Instagram message.
- Open and log into the Instagram app.
- Click on the home screen button that’ll lead you to the next page with a paper plane icon.
- Click on the paper plane icon to open the conversation and scroll to the message you want to delete.
- Unsend the message by pressing and holding on to it for a second or two until a pop-up message prompts you to unsend it.
- Accept, and the message will be permanently gone.
Rest assured, your recipient won’t receive any notification afterward!
Please feel free to drop a comment if you have any concerns or questions on the topic, and I’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
But before we part ways, you can still learn more about blocking someone on Instagram and deleting Instagram messages to acquaint yourself better.
As always, cheers!
Frankie Caruso
PS – Please don’t forget to subscribe to my Free Newsletter or follow me on my YouTube Channel for more how-to videos and helpful tutorials.