Theyre not a new invention, but many people still dont know they exist.
While some apps have offered ephemeral messages for years, others have only recently rolled them.
If youre keen to try them out, weve got you covered.
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WhatsAppsays this means youdont forget what you were chatting about.
However, it also leaves your messages exposed for seven days.
It also provides way more customization options than WhatsApp.
you might make messages disappear after any length of time between one second and four weeks.
you might also set adefault timer for all your conversations, rather than creating separate ones for every chat.
The feature is suspiciously similar to whats offered on Snapchat.
To turn it on, just enter a chat thread and swipe up.
Your screen will go dark to signal the switch.
To exist Vanish Mode, just swipe up again.
Messenger also has a separate disappearing messages option for encrypted conversations.
Heres how to set it up:
Et voila!
Your messages are set to vanish into the ether.
That should add extrasecurityto your sensitive information just confirm youre not gonna lose anything youll desperately need later.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
