You will be able to edit the sent message to correct typos or add new information, and the Edited label will appear to provide the recipient with important context.
- What’s happening? WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature with a small group of iPhone users that will allow you to edit sent messages.
- Why care? WhatsApp users will finally be able to correct typos or expand a sent message, which is currently not supported.
- What to do? Please be patient as this feature is still under development.
WhatsApp is testing message editing
WhatsApp has been working on the ability to edit texts, like iMessage and Telegram, since June 2022. This useful feature is now available to a small number of iPhone beta testers through Apple’s TestFlight software.
Editing messages will definitely come in handy; it’s one of those features we want to see in all messaging apps. WhatsApp also allows you to delete sent messages within two days of sending them. Compare this to Telegram, which allows you to edit and delete messages without any time limit.
It’s not clear if edited messages can include a history, such as iMessage, so that the recipient can check your changes. This would be a smart move to prevent abuse.
However, the current beta version only displays the “Edited”label above the edited text.
Also, it seems that you cannot edit captions for sent attachments such as images, videos, and documents. However, WABetaInfo suggests that Meta may add this capability in a future beta.
How to edit a sent whatsapp message
Editing a post is easy. You simply press and hold on a sent message in a WhatsApp conversation and then select the new Edit button that will appear.
Whatsapp will allow you not only to correct any typos, but also to add additional information and context to the message. As with iMessage and Telegram, all people participating in the chat must be using a version of WhatsApp that supports message editing.
Otherwise, the user may see “unsupported message”when trying to edit a message using an incompatible version of WhatsApp.
If you are using an older version of WhatsApp that is not compatible with this feature, you will be notified in a message in a future conversation. If you receive this message, you need to update your version of WhatsApp to the latest update available from the App Store or TestFlight. This is necessary as you won’t be able to see which messages have been edited from the recipient if you’re using an older version of the app.
The ability to edit sent texts will be available to all WhatsApp users for iOS, Android and web in a future app update.
iMessage change and cancel
Apple’s new features for editing and unsending iMessages in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura also have a 15-minute time limit. In particular, Apple allows you to edit a recently sent message up to five times within fifteen minutes of sending it. However, a two-minute window is required to withdraw the message.
Other new and upcoming WhatsApp features
The Meta-owned app recently launched support for picture-in-picture video calling, drag and drop on iPhone, and several new features designed to improve the use of the Status feature. In addition, several new WhatsApp features are being tested, including audio transcription and call scheduling.