Facebook updated the self-destruct feature of messages

Vanish Mode is a new feature that allows users to send messages, pictures, text messages, emojis and stickers that disappear as soon as they are read by recipients and the texting screen closes.

Facebook updated the self-destruct feature of messages. Illustration

Some users have seen the Vanish Mode feature appear in the chat settings on Messenger while Facebook is slowly updating it to users around the world.

Vanish Mode is similar to the secret messaging feature on Messenger when it only allows sending end-to-end encrypted chats and is only saved on the user's device. The thing is, with the new feature, it allows users to delete everything forever after it's been sent and viewed.

With Facebook, self-destruct messaging can help this social network attract more young users. Self-destructing texting is a Snapchat-like feature similar to Stories.

On Instagram, some features of Vanish Mode appeared earlier when the social network allowed photo or video messages to disappear after being

Vanish Mode will be a separate option that users can select in the Settings and access by swiping up in a chat window. Currently Vanish Mode will only be available with two-person chats and updates for Facebook users in the US and some other countries. This feature on Instagram is also gradually being updated.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 13 November 2020