Not all messages and chats are saved. Preferably a number that disappears after you end the conversation. Instagram recently introduced a new feature called Vanish Mode, which you can use to send self-destructing messages to other users.
Instagram’s Vanish mode is similar to Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, and Whatsapp and allows you to separate public chats from private online chats. In this article, you’ll learn more about the feature, how it works, and why you should use it on Instagram.
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What is Vanish Mode on Instagram?
The ability to send self-destructing messages was introduced earlier on Facebook Messenger. It was only a matter of time before it appeared on Instagram.
By default, Disappearance Mode is disabled and you must enable it manually before you can enable disappearing messages. Messages in a chat disappear after everyone in the chat has seen them, and after the conversation closes. Here are a few things you need to know about Instagram’s Disappearance Mode:
- You can only use Disappear Mode in live chats. There is no way to use Disappearing Mode in group chats with more than two people.
- Vanish mode is only available to people who follow each other on Instagram. It protects Instagram users from unwanted messages from strangers.
- When someone turns on Disappear Mode in a chat, you can choose to accept or decline the invitation. That way, you have complete control over what becomes private and what remains public.
- You’ll both get a notification when someone takes a screenshot in Vanish Mode.
- Messages sent in Vanish Mode can still be reported even if they are no longer visible. You can still block a person and report your conversation to them if you don’t feel safe, even if the entire conversation is in Disappearing Mode.
Why use Disappear Mode on Instagram?
If you are concerned about the safety and privacy of the data you are sharing on Instagram, then Disappearing Mode is a feature that you should use.
There can be many reasons why you would want to use Disappear Mode in a chat. For example, if you’re worried about others tracking your Instagram activity and peeking through your chats, Vanish Mode can help ease your mind.
Even if you’re 100% sure that you’re the only one with access to your phone, you may want to keep some of the information you share on Instagram private. It could be anything, starting with a surprise birthday party and ending with work-related information that you want to keep secret in case your account is hacked.
Finally, if you’re a public figure, you’re like a social media influencer yourself, whose information you might want to leave outside of your Instagram chat history. Using Disappear Mode, you can safely run your ideas for a new TikTok trending post by your trusted people without worrying that they will be leaked to the public before you can do them.
How to use Disappear Mode on Instagram
Before you can use the Disappearing Mode feature, you need to enable it in an Instagram chat. Remember that turning Disappearing Mode on in one chat doesn’t automatically turn it on for every other chat you have on Instagram. Make sure to turn on Disappearance Mode for any chats you want to keep private.
You also don’t need to create a new chat to enable Disappearing Mode; You can enable this feature in any existing Instagram chat. Instructions for enabling and disabling Disappearing Mode are the same for both iOS and Android users.
How to enable Disappear Mode
To enable Disappearing Mode on Instagram, follow the steps below.
- Open the Instagram app and go to Direct message on Instagram (Instagram direct message) by selecting message bubble icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- From the list of chats, select the chat for which you want to enable Disappear Mode.
- Inside the chat window, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and release your finger to enable Disappearing Mode.
Instead of a regular chat thread, you’ll see a notification You’ve turned on disappearing mode appear in the chat. When you turn on Disappearing Mode for the first time, Instagram will change the theme to Dark and release some Shush emojis to signal that you’re currently using the app in Disappearing Mode.
Other users will receive a notification with your request to enter Disappearance Mode, which they can accept or decline. You will also see a little dotted circle next to their name in the chat list, indicates that you have enabled Disappear Mode in this chat.
If you can’t seem to turn on Disappearing Mode, check that you are using the latest version of Instagram and install updates if necessary, then try following the instructions above again. .
How to turn off disappearing mode
If after a while you decide to turn off Disappearance Mode in your Instagram chat, here’s how.
- Open the Instagram chat for which you’ve turned on Disappear Mode.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen until you see a notification Release to disable Disappear Mode appear. Then release your finger.
You’ll see your regular chat thread appear with messages sent in Disappearing Mode. After you close the chat, all messages seen from Disappearing Mode will disappear.
You can then send a new message in this chat to check if Disappearing Mode is off.
Add an extra level of privacy to your chats
If you’re worried about your personal information remaining private and don’t trust Instagram with it, you can also try using one of the encrypted chat apps. They will keep all your personal and sensitive data away from prying eyes.
