Facebook Messenger is among the most popular mobile applications in the United States. The application allows users to connect and stay in touch with friends and family by sending messages, images, videos and GIFs. Like every other instant messaging platform, Facebook Messenger lets users chat with individuals or create a group chat that contains several users. Additionally, users can split payments with friends on Messenger as well.
Regarding security, Facebook Messenger provides a feature called Secret Conversations that provides users with a safe environment. Somewhat like the Vanish Mode on Instagram, Messenger’s Secret Conversation is a feature that enables users to text in an end-to-end encrypted chat. When a platform or channel is end-to-end encrypted, only the sender and the receiver can access the messages, which increases privacy.
In Secret Conversations on Messenger, users can send messages, pictures, stickers, videos and voice recordings. The encrypted mode does not support group messages, GIFs, voice or video calling and payments, which makes it different from the regular messaging mode people typically use. While Secret Conversations are protected by end-to-end encryption, Facebook highlights on the official support page that either of the two participants can share the chat with a third party via screenshots or by handing over their phone to someone else.
Start Secret Conversations On Messenger
Beginning Secret Conversations on Messenger for Android is as easy as using Facebook Messenger in virtual reality with Meta Quest. To do so, tap on the pencil icon at the top right corner to open the list of friends. Before selecting a friend, tap on the lock toggle at the top right and then tap on the friend’s name (users might have to use the search bar at the top). This will open a secret conversation with the selected friend that is end-to-end encrypted and does not contain any previous chats. Similarly, to initiate Secret Conversations on Messenger for iPhone, users should open the application, tap on the notepad icon, select ‘Secret’ in the top right and enter the friend’s name.
Additionally, users can set a disappearing timer on messages sent in Secret Conversations by tapping on the clock icon next to the text field and selecting from the available options, including 15 seconds, 30 seconds, a minute, all the way up to a day. One thing to remember is that the Secret Conversations feature is only available on Messenger for Android and iOS — secret messages won’t appear on Messenger for desktop or Facebook chat. If users want to delete the secret conversation, they should tap on the info icon at the top right and select ‘Delete Conversation’ to remove the chat from Facebook Messenger.
