They’re certainly useful, but there are also caveats to consider when using disappearing messages. “This is great for information you need to retain for a month, such as work messages or conversations with a doctor.” Signal is also about to launch a feature to allow you to specify a default vanishing message timer for all new chats, Sarafa says. “Disappearing messages will mean losing records that should be kept, such as conversations around deals, contracts or clients,” Sammons says.īut at the same time, Randall Sarafa, chief product officer at Signal, highlights a recently-added feature in the app that allows you to keep messages for four weeks. For instance, this may apply if you’re using Signal or WhatsApp for work purposes.

Of course, disappearing messages are not going to work for every situation, especially in circumstances where a record needs to be kept. “This could apply to a domestic abuse setting or someone, for example, hiding the fact they are LGBTQ.” Only send private information to contacts you trust.ĭisappearing messages are an ideal tool for people who are concerned their chats could be checked – especially if there is anything about themselves they want to keep private, says Scott Sammons, information and data specialist Lighthouse IG. While you can block screenshots in Signal on your own device, there’s no way to prevent the recipient from saving a message before it’s deleted.

If your recipient is especially clever, they can use another device to take a photo of the disappearing material in question. Even though disappearing messages are deleted from both users’ message history, either user can still take a screenshot before they’re removed, or copy and paste their contents elsewhere. Obviously, disappearing messages can enhance your Signal conversation’s privacy and security, but there are limitations. That makes them a great option when you’re sending potentially sensitive information that you don’t want accessible for longer than necessary. Deleted messages are permanently removed from the chat thread for both users in the conversation. It’s another great reason to start using the encrypted chat app if you’re looking for privacy-focused messaging-or if you’re an Elon Musk fan.Īs the name implies, Signal’s disappearing messages self-destruct after a set amount of time. Many messaging apps let you send disappearing messages, but Signal’s approach to the process is one of the best.

Disappearing messages in signal