If you’d like to be a little more discreet with your online messages, then you may try using the disappearing messages feature available in most messaging apps.
These “disappearing messages” delete themselves from the chat box after a set amount of time or once the message has been viewed. It’s similar to those self-destruct devices you saw in movies, like the red envelope “howler” from Harry Potter. However, the features we have on messaging apps are typically quiet and used for private conversations.
You might be wondering, ‘How does this work?’ and ‘How do you use them?’
How does disappearing messages differ on different platforms?
Depending on the messaging app you are using, it may be called differently or have different functionality, but they all share the same primary purpose: to disappear, as if it weren’t there in the first place.
Typically, it will also include a timer option, giving you the freedom to choose how quickly or how long a message will last before it vanishes.
Another crucial feature for most messaging apps’ disappearing is the screenshot alert to ensure that the receiver wouldn’t save your intended “for your eyes only,” like credit card information or other private conversations.
1. Viber
Timer Options: 10 sec, 1 min, 1 hr, 1 day
Screenshot Alert: Yes
Viber’s version of disappearing messages works as a chat mode within your screen, featuring self-destruct timers and privacy controls.
To activate it, click the recipient’s profile > ‘Chat Info & Settings’ > Disappearing messages. You can then select your timer option: 10 seconds, 1 minute, 1 hour, or 1 day. Once enabled, you can choose how long the message will be visible on the receiver’s device.
After the recipient views the message, the timer begins. When the time runs out, the message disappears as if it were never there. Any attempt to screenshot disappearing messages will also trigger a notification chat (which will also vanish) on the sender’s chat box.
2. WhatsApp
Timer Options: 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days
Screenshot Alert: No
WhatsApp’s version offers the same basic function but does not include quick-disappear modes, such as those lasting one minute or less. Instead, they give you longer-term options: 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
To activate it, click the recipient’s profile, scroll down and locate “Disappearing messages.” Then you may choose among the three timer options. Once enabled, the following message becomes a Disappearing Message. The timer starts once the chat is viewed.
The sender and receiver also have the option to “keep” a disappearing message, which prevents it from disappearing. Unlike other messaging apps, WhatsApp doesn’t have screenshot alerts.
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3. Facebook Messenger
Timer Options: Custom (currently 24 hours)
Screenshot Alert: Yes
Messenger’s disappearing message recently changed from the older ‘Secret Conversations’ to an end-to-end encryption technology that is accessible within a single chat box rather than a dedicated screen.
To activate it, click the recipient’s profile, then scroll down to ‘Disappearing messages.’ Currently, you can choose the 24-hour vanishing period during the roll-out of the new feature, but other timing might be included soon. Additionally, ‘Disappearing messages’ can be reported up to 6 hours after they disappear.
4. Instagram (Vanish Mode)
Timer Options: Instant vanish, 24 hours, 7 days
Screenshot Alert: Yes
Instagram’s vanish mode lets users send each other disappearing messages and media content. To activate it, swipe up from the bottom of your chat box, then release. You will have the disappearing message timer options: “Once they’re seen,” 24 hours, and 7 days. Similar to Messenger and Viber, Instagram also features a screenshot alert that remains visible in the chat box if someone takes a screenshot of a message.
Depending on the purpose of using the disappearing message feature, you may consider different messaging apps. For instance, Viber and Instagram offer ‘short-fuse’ disappearing messages that quickly disappear. On the other hand, Meta’s Facebook and WhatsApp both currently only offer longer delays.
What’s your go-to disappearing message app? Share it with us in the comments section.