During conversations, you may need to send secret messages to another person. An OTP can be logins, private media, or files. Facebook Messenger is probably the last major messaging app to implement the disappearing or disappearing messages feature into its mobile apps. Here’s how you can send disappearing messages on Facebook Messenger.
Facebook-owned WhatsApp already allows users to send disappearing messages. Messenger has implemented Vanish mode, but it is limited to the US region only. What about others who rely on Messenger to deliver private messages?
Enable Secret Speech
Facebook has not implemented messages disappearing in normal conversations. You can’t just open a chat and start sending messages with a timer.
Before that, you must enable private conversation with a contact. Private conversation is Facebook’s end-to-end encrypted solution that offers private messaging experiences to over 2 billion users.
There are several ways to enable private conversation in Facebook Messenger.
Turn On Private Conversation From User Profile
Follow the steps below to enable private conversation from user profile.
Stage 1: Open Facebook Messenger on iPhone or Android.
Step 2: Open a conversation where you plan to send a disappearing message.
Stage 3: Tap the contact name at the top.
Step 4: Scroll down and select Go to private conversation from the More Actions menu.
If you are planning to send the disappearing message for the first time, you may not have an active chat thread in the app. In this case, you need to enable secret speech from the compose menu.
Enable Secret Speech from the Compose Menu
Stage 1: Open Facebook Messenger and tap the create button at the top.
Step 2: Turn on the top toggle that provides end-to-end encryption for your messages.
Stage 3: Select your friend’s name and you are now in a secret chat.
Send Disappearing Messages in Secret Conversation
After enabling secret talk, you can send messages that disappear in chat. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Open a secret conversation.
Step 2: You will find the timer menu right next to the chat box. Tap on it.
Stage 3: It will open the disappearing messages menu from the bottom.
Step 4: You can choose a different timer option from 5 seconds to 24 hours. We love the options offered here. They are not limited to just 3 or 4 options.
Choose a suitable time and any message you send after that will be deleted from both parties when the recipient sees the message. For example, if you select 10 seconds, all new messages will be removed for each contact 10 seconds after they are seen.
When the other person sees the message, you will see a live timer next to the chat bubble. This shows the time remaining for the message to disappear from both parties.
Replace Disappearing Message Timer
You chose 10 seconds as the disappearing message timer and now you find it too low in some situations. Facebook Messenger allows you to easily replace the disappearing message timer in the app. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Open a secret conversation in which you have already enabled disappearing messages.
Step 2: Tap the timer icon in the text box and check the current timer.
Stage 3: Choose a new timer from the same menu and Messenger will show both parties a notification with a new message timer that disappears.
You can also replace the disappearing message timer from the profile menu. Go through the steps below.
Stage 1: Select a secret conversation in Facebook Messenger.
Step 2: Tap the profile name at the top.
Stage 3: Select Disappearing messages from the Privacy and support section.
Change the timer from the menu below.
Delete Private Conversation
Usually, if you use the disappearing messages function, you don’t need to delete secret conversations. All your messages are already deleted automatically from both sides.
However, if the private conversation has served its purpose, you may want to remove the thread from Messenger entirely.
Stage 1: Open Facebook Messenger and identify hidden conversations by checking the little lock icon below the profile picture.
Step 2: Swipe the chat thread to the left.
Stage 3: Select Other and tap Delete to remove traces.
Create Private Media in Facebook Messenger
The ability to send disappearing messages on Facebook Messenger is limited to Android, iPhone and iPad. You cannot post the same on the web using Facebook. Go ahead, use the trick above and start sending disappearing messages on Facebook Messenger.
