Disappearing (or vanishing/self-destructing) messages are an increasingly common feature in chat apps, but the option was first popularized by Snapchat, which was known as the ephemeral messaging app. In this article, we show you how to send disappearing messages, self-destructing messages, and other content through some of the most popular chat apps.
What are disappearing messages?
If you've never heard of disappearing messages, here's what they're all about. They're self-destructing texts, photos, videos, and other content, such as emojis, that are removed once the recipient reads them. In some chat apps, they're kept for a predetermined period of time (e.g., seven days on WhatsApp) before being sent to the void. Disappearing messages are an ideal tool for people concerned about the privacy of their text conversations.
How to send disappearing messages on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the latest apps to add the option to send disappearing messages to both individual and group chats.
Enable Disappearing Messages on Android
1. Select Chat on WhatsApp and click profile picture for the person.
2. Press the . button "I" To access the person's information page.
3. Press "Disappearing messages".
4. Within Message timer You'll see several options for how long you want to keep your messages before they're deleted. Choose what you want and you're done!
Alternatively, you can click on Try the default message timer. , then choose how long to keep all new messages in all chats before they self-destruct.
A message will appear in your chat letting the recipient know that disappearing messages are now enabled.
Unlike Snapchat, WhatsApp won't delete messages immediately, but will wait seven days. This is the only option available at this point, but more may be added later.
Enable Disappearing Messages in iOS
1. Open Chat on WhatsApp On iPhone/iPad.
2. Press Contact Name.
3. Scroll down until you find "Disappearing messages."
4. Turn on the option.
5. As of the WhatsApp update in late 2021, you will see a new section called “Message Timer” It appears, which lets you choose how long WhatsApp will wait before automatically deleting messages in that chat. You can also set a default message timer that will apply to all your messages in all chats.
5. Once you have made your selection, you will see a message indicating that the feature has been activated.
How to send disappearing messages on Snapchat
Snapchat was one of the first apps to offer this feature and has already built its reputation around it. The following steps apply to anyone using Snapchat on an Android or iOS device.
1. Open Snapchat on your device.
2. Press Messages At the bottom.
3. Select one of your chats.
4. Snapchat already deletes messages by default, but if you want to tinker with the settings a bit, tap on the person's profile icon in the chat window.
5. Click on The three points in the upper right corner.
6. Select Delete chats.
7. Choose a time when you want to delete chats: After watching Or “After 24 hours of viewing”You can switch between them as you prefer.
If you want to continue chatting, you can. All you have to do is press and hold on that chat box. Note that Snapchat also deletes messages in groups after 24 hours.
How to Send Vanishing Messages in Facebook Messenger
Users who prefer Messenger also have the option to send self-destructing messages. However, in this app, they are called "Disappearing messages"Here's how to send temporary texts if you're using Messenger for iOS or Android.
1. Open chat In the Messenger app.
2. Press profile picture To the person on top.
3. in Privacy Section , tap on "vanish mode".
4. Toggle on the feature.
5. A new window should appear welcoming you to vanish mode And gives you a report of the features on your screen.
6. All vanished messages can be exchanged in a separate window. Click on "OK" To follow and start chatting.
Messenger will delete these texts once both people who had the conversation have seen all the messages and left the chat. Note that group chats, video calls, and voice calls do not support disappearing messages.
How to send hidden messages in Instagram
You can't send disappearing texts on Instagram unless you Sync Instagram DMs with Facebook Messenger. Once you do this, the enabling process should be complete. vanish mode It is the same as described in the section above.
What all users can now benefit from is the ability to send self-destructive photos and videos in one-on-one or group chats. Here's how you can try it yourself using the Android or iOS app.
1. Open conversation On Instagram.
2. Press the . button "Camera" Blue in the lower left corner.
3. Select the type of content you want to send. It can be an image, video, boomerang, etc. You can even write text on a colored background—it's as close as you'll get to sending a disappearing message.
4. Type your text and press next one.
5. At the bottom, select One time offer The message will automatically delete itself after the other party opens it. You can also choose Allow reply Or Keep the conversation going.
6. Press send.
How to send disappearing messages in Signal
In Signal, you have the option to choose how long you want to keep your ephemeral messages. The privacy-focused chat app is the most generous in this regard. Note that you can set the feature in both individual and group chats. Let's explore how to enable it on Android and iOS.
1. Open chat In the application Signal.
2. Press profile picture To the person on top.
3. Press "Disappearing messages."
4. Select your preferred option and click save. There is a wide range to choose from including custom.
5. A message should appear in your chat window stating that the disappearing message timer has been set.
How to send self-destructing messages in Telegram
Telegram doesn't have a disappearing messages feature, per se, but users of the app can create a secure messaging space that will self-destruct after a certain period of time. This option only works for individual chats. Follow the steps to set up a secret chat on Android and iOS.
1. Open chat In the Telegram app.
2. Press profile picture To the other person at the top of the screen.
3. Click on The three points in the top right.
4. Select "Start a Secret Conversation".
5. You will be asked if you really want to start a secret chat. Tap Home button.
6. A new secret chat window will open with a self-destruct timer attached to it.
You can access the self-destruct timer for your messages by tapping the other person's profile picture again. The time interval ranges from one second to one week in Telegram.
How to send disappearing messages in Viber
Viber is a very popular messaging app outside the United States. It's very easy to set up disappearing messages if you use it on Android or iOS. This option only works for one-on-one chats.
1. Open conversation In Viber.
2. Look at the bottom of the screen and find strip of symbolsLocate the alarm and tap on it.
3. Select the time interval after which you want these messages to self-destruct.
It's worth noting that there's a rise in privacy-focused chat apps like Signal. If privacy is a top priority for you, you may choose to switch to a more secure app. Many of these apps also have disappearing messages, so you won't miss anything important if you decide to jump ship. We've listed a few of them below.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the feature available for all messaging apps?
You can't send disappearing messages with all apps, but the option is being added to more and more chat apps these days. If you want to start sending disappearing messages, check if your app of choice includes them. If not, you can install one of the above.
2. Why can't I take a screenshot when I use the feature in certain apps?
Disappearing messages are a privacy feature, so apps like Telegram won't let you take a screenshot of these conversations. However, this isn't the case for everyone. For example, WhatsApp has no problem letting you take a screenshot. Others, like Snapchat, will notify the other party when you take a screenshot.
3. Will media files sent in disappearing messages conversations be deleted?
It depends on the app. For example, WhatsApp will automatically download media files by default. If this option is enabled, the app will save the content to your phone. Therefore, these media files will not be deleted once the seven days have passed. In other apps, such as Signal, that do not follow this practice, these files will disappear forever.
Privacy is an important aspect we all need to consider when using a mobile device. If you're looking for additional online security tips, you may want to check out: List of the best privacy-focused browsers for Android and iOSAt the same time, it may be useful to know. How to delete a Venmo account Although it does not support disappearing messages, But Google Messages has some other neat security features.
