X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, has unveiled a highly anticipated feature for direct messages (DMs): the ability to edit messages. This feature, now available to iOS users, is set to be rolled out to additional platforms in the near future. With this update, X joins other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Messenger, which have long offered message editing functionality.
The company announced this new feature through its official handle, stating, “Save yourself from your own bad decisions (or typos) (or both). DM edits are here. You’re welcome.” This playful message highlights the feature's practicality in correcting mistakes or refining previously sent messages.
To make use of the new editing functionality on X, follow these steps:
Accessing Direct Messages: Open the direct message chat you wish to edit from your X iOS app.
Selecting the Message: Long-press on the message you sent or tap the three-dot menu next to the message.
Editing the Message: Choose the “Edit message” option to make changes to the sent message.
According to X’s support page, users can edit messages without a time restriction, meaning you can modify older DMs as well. However, there is a cap of five edits per message. This limit aligns with the restrictions placed on editing posts on the platform.
The feature includes a security measure where X keeps a log of edited messages. Despite this, the platform does not currently display the version history of edited messages, which means users cannot see previous iterations of a message.
In related news, Elon Musk has highlighted a major concern with X’s content algorithm. The algorithm operates on a straightforward principle: if a user interacts with certain content, it assumes the user wants to see more similar content. This method, while effective in some ways, has been criticized for its lack of sophistication. Musk pointed out that the algorithm does not adequately differentiate between types of content, which could lead to a less nuanced content experience for users.
Conclusion
The introduction of message editing on X represents a significant upgrade for the platform’s direct messaging capabilities. With this new feature, users can correct mistakes or refine their communications more easily, bringing X in line with other popular messaging apps. As X continues to evolve, it will be important to watch how these features impact user experience and how the platform addresses ongoing criticisms related to its content algorithms.