Latest iOS 16 beta limits ability to edit and delete messages
Apple is toning down iOS 16's vaunted iMessage editing and undoing features. The company has released the fourth developer betas of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura that limit you to five edits for a given message within the available 15 minutes and reduce the no-send window from 15 minutes to just two. You can also tap a message to see its editing history. Previously, you only saw a notice that it was edited.
The company did not explain its decision. We asked Apple if they could share their reasoning. However, AppleInsider pointed out the potential for abuse with the previous approach. Someone might edit a message to make it look like you agreed to something. Alternatively, they could harass you by sending messages that last long enough to be noticed, but disappear before you can keep the evidence.
You can still prevent edits and unsends by disabling iMessage. This forces conversations to text, where these features are not available. Apple's actions won't completely prevent harassment, but may encourage you to leave iMessage on without worrying that someone could easily misrepresent your conversations.
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Apple is toning down iOS 16's vaunted iMessage editing and undoing features. The company has released the fourth developer betas of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura that limit you to five edits for a given message within the available 15 minutes and reduce the no-send window from 15 minutes to just two. You can also tap a message to see its editing history. Previously, you only saw a notice that it was edited.
The company did not explain its decision. We asked Apple if they could share their reasoning. However, AppleInsider pointed out the potential for abuse with the previous approach. Someone might edit a message to make it look like you agreed to something. Alternatively, they could harass you by sending messages that last long enough to be noticed, but disappear before you can keep the evidence.
You can still prevent edits and unsends by disabling iMessage. This forces conversations to text, where these features are not available. Apple's actions won't completely prevent harassment, but may encourage you to leave iMessage on without worrying that someone could easily misrepresent your conversations.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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