How to use the secret chat feature in Messenger

• You can have a “secret conversation” in Messenger by starting a new conversation and tapping the icon in the upper right corner.
• Messenger’s secret conversations are encrypted, which means your messages are incredibly private – not even Facebook can read them.
• Secret conversations are only available in the Messenger mobile app, not on the website.
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In recent years, encrypted messaging apps have become increasingly popular. Signal, Telegram – and now Messenger.

Although run by a company that is not known for its data security, Messenger’s “secret chat” feature is a legitimately safe way to chat with friends and colleagues. Secret conversations are protected with end-to-end encryption, which means that no one outside of the chat can read what’s inside.

It’s similar to Vanish Mode, another Messenger feature that prioritizes secret and secure conversations.

If you care about privacy and want to use Messenger, Secret Conversations should be your go-to tool. Here’s how to start a secret conversation and customize its settings.

How to have a secret conversation in Messenger

Secret conversations are exclusive to the iPhone, iPad and Android Messenger apps. You won’t find them in the desktop app or the Messenger website.

1. Open the Messenger app and tap the compose message icon in the top right corner.

2. A list of all your contacts will appear. Here tap the button in the top right corner – on an iPhone or iPad it will say Secret, while on an Android it will be a switch with a padlock icon.

3. Tap the person you want to have a secret conversation with. It must be a one-on-one chat – you cannot have a secret group chat.

4. You will be brought into a secret conversation with the person you have chosen. Once you send a message, it will appear on their device.

If you’re friends on Facebook with the person on the other end of the chat, you can also turn on disappearing messages. These allow you to put a timer on every message sent, so that they delete themselves after a short period of time.

1. At the top of the secret chat, tap the other chat’s name (iPhone or iPad) or the “i” icon (Android) to open the options menu.

2. Faucet Messages that disappear, then choose how long to keep messages.

Additionally, you can flag the person you are chatting with, block them, or just delete the chat. To do this, open the options menu again and press Something is wrong, To block, Where Delete chat respectively.