An instant messaging (IM) server provides post delivery instant message redirection when a first device having a first media access control (MAC) address is logged onto the IM server and subsequently a second device having a second media access control address logs onto the IM server. An instant message is transmitted to a recipient at the first MAC address. The second device is logged onto the IM server. The instant message is retransmitted to the second MAC address of the recipient before the notification that the recipient is typing in the chat window and before the notification that the chat window has been closed. The first device is automatically logged off in response to the second device being logged onto the IM server, and the instant message is not read on the first device before the first device is automatically logged off the IM server.