How to Tell If a Contact Has iOS 16 without Asking Them

Before attempting to unsend a message or using other exclusively iOS 16 features, you may want to know if your contact has updated to iOS 16 to make sure it will work!

By Rachel Needell Updated 09/21/2022

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

With iOS 16, Apple debuted the long-awaited ability to unsend a text message. However, it's important to know that unsending a message will not work with a contact who has not updated to iOS 16. But this is not the only reason you may want to double check if your contact has iOS 16, as there are a few cool features they will not have access to if they don't. I'll show you how to figure out if a friend has iOS 16 without having to ask!

Related: Apple Watch Goes Far Out with Ultra, Stays Grounded with the SE & Series 8

Why You'll Love This Tip

  • Make sure features that only work when both parties have iOS 16 will work before trying and failing.
  • Figure out for yourself whether your friend has iOS 16 without having to wait for them to tell you.

How to See If Your Contact Has iOS 16 with Your iPhone

You can actually use SharePlay in the Messages app to figure out (in a sneaky way) whether or not your contact has iOS 16. Before completing the steps below, make sure you've updated to iOS 16 yourself! You'll also want to brush up on using SharePlay if you're not very familiar with it. For more cool hidden tips and tricks about how to use your Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day! Here's how to figure out if your contact has iOS 16.

  1. Start by opening an app that's compatible with SharePlay. For this example, I’ll use Hulu.

    Start by opening the app you wish to watch or listen from first. For this example, I’ll use Hulu.
  2. Pick a show (it doesn't really matter which show—you won't be actually watching the show unless you really want to) and find the Share button. In Hulu, you will tap the three dots in the corner of the show's listing.

    Find the show you wish to watch and find the Share button. In Hulu, you will tap the three dots in the corner of the show's listing.
  3. Tap Share.

    Tap Share.
  4. Tap SharePlay. NOTE: If you haven't used SharePlay before, you’ll have to follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.

    Tap SharePlay. The first time you do this, you’ll have to set it up. Tap Continue. If you’ve done this before, you won’t get this popup.
  5. Select the contact whose software you'd like to check.

    Select the contact who's software you'd like to check.
  6. If the Messages button appears grayed out, the person does not have iOS 16.

    If the Messages button appears grayed out, the person does not have iOS 16.
  7. If the Messages button appears green and it is tappable, the person does have iOS 16.

    If the Messages button appears green and it is tappable, the person does have iOS 16.

And that's how you figure out what operating system your contact is using! This is useful to know for a lot of different reasons, including whether or not you can unsend a message to this friend.

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Topics

How-To
iPhone
iOS
Communication

Author Details

Rachel Needell's picture

Author Details

Rachel Needell
Rachel Needell is a Feature Web Writer at iPhone Life, a published poet, and a longtime Apple enthusiast. Before graduating in the spring of 2021 with her Master’s degree in Literature, specializing in early 20th-century American and British Modernism, she was a college writing tutor and University English professor. Her latest piece, "Temporizing: Self Portrait" can be found in the Winter '21 edition of New Note Poetry. Although an enthusiastic traveler, you can most often find Rachel curled up under a blanket with a glass of red wine, reading a book with her cat Blue in Charlotte, North Carolina.