Facebook Messenger could soon let you undo sent messages

A new patent filing form Facebook suggests that the future update to the Messenger will let you retract a sent message even if it’s delivered.

A new patent filing form Facebook suggests that the future update to the Messenger will let you retract a sent message even if it’s delivered.

More than often, we send messages that are regretted as quickly as the "send" button is pressed. While apps like Slack let you edit sent messages, the usual suspects -- Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp -- don't let you retract the messages.

However, a new patent filing form Facebook suggests that the future update to the Messenger will let you retract a sent message even if it's delivered.

The patent suggests that after sending a message, if you shake the phone after pressing send on Messenger, or tap on the sending animation, you will be given an option to prevent the recipient from viewing the message.

If the message hasn't been delivered to the recipient, the process will be halted. If the message has been delivered, Facebook will go as far as deleting it from the recipient's inbox.

A message will be retractable based on multiple factors like the frequency of talking to the contact. Also, only the most recent message will be deletable if the message even if the recipient hasn't read it.