Many spy and mystery movies are based upon the idea that messages can self-destruct. However, you don't have to be an international agent to send the same message to your own text.
Most popular chat apps have a disappearing message option. This means that you don’t need to keep a record of every conversation. Signal, an encrypted messaging app, recently made the disappearing message option its default.
It's useful to have chat archives for both sentimental and practical purposes (recipes and addresses, instructions, etc.), but there will be times when you would rather not save any. Here are some suggestions.
All of these apps have a caveat. The people you are communicating with can take screenshots or, if they're blocked, can take a picture of the screen using another device. While some apps will notify you if messages are downloaded or screenshotted, there is always an alternative. This is something you should keep in mind when you choose who to chat with and how much to share.
Signal
Signal's disappearing message feature is available for all conversations. It can be used by default or per conversation. You can also switch between permanent and disappearing messages at any point in any thread. To switch between the two, tap the three dots at top right of any thread and then choose Disappearing messages.
You can choose from a range of 1 second to 4 week for your messages to stay up after being viewed. Or you can choose to turn the feature off. If you don't like the preset timers, you can set your own. You can also tell a message to disappear in 60 seconds. When you change this setting, an alert is displayed in chat. From then on, any message you send follows the rules.
Open the main app settings page, and select Privacy and Default Timer for New Chats (under Disappearing Messages). This applies to all chats you start from that point onwards, and not just existing conversations.
WhatsApp
WhatsApp's disappearing message feature works only with images and videos, not text. You give the recipient 14 days to see what you have sent, and then it disappears once it has been viewed.
Open WhatsApp and tap the camera icon at bottom to capture your content. Below the green send icon, you'll find a small icon that shows a 1 in circle. Tap this icon to make your message disappearing video or image.
A caption can be added to the clip or photo. It disappears with it. Once you have sent the file, it will disappear from your end. Instead, you will only see the Photo or Video entry in the discussion thread with the small 1 icon. Once the text has been viewed, it will be changed to Opened.
Snapchat
Snapchat did not invent disappearing messages but it helped make them more popular. You can tap any contact from your main conversation screen to start a conversation or tap the compose icon (top-right) if you don't see the person you wish to speak to.
Once the thread is viewed, all content, including images, will disappear. One-to-one conversations allow either party to save a thread by pressing and holding it. However, you will be able see if it happens as it will remain on the screen.
