How to Make Messages Disappear in Instagram

Instagram is a popular outlet for spontaneous texts thanks to its variety of filters and options. These are also the kind of conversations you do not want others to save permanently.

Instagram Header

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
December 2, 2021

Instagram is a popular outlet for spontaneous texts thanks to its variety of filters and options. These may be the kind of conversations you do not want others to save permanently. Let’s explore how to make the messages disappear.

This is for iPhone and Android running Instagram

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For creating self-destructing texts, Instagram offers a feature called Vanish Mode on its messaging service. An identical feature can be found in Facebook Messenger. Any text or media you send in Vanish Mode is automatically removed as soon as the recipient sees it.

First, make sure you have the latest version of the Instagram app on your Android or iPhone.

Next, open the Instagram app on your phone and swipe in from the left edge of the screen (or tap the text bubble button at the top right) to view a list of your messages. Refer to the below image:

Instagram 1
Selecting to view messages

Now, perform a swipe-up gesture above the text box to activate Vanish Mode. Once that’s successful, Instagram will update your chat background with a darker shade and throw in a few animations to let you know Vanish Mode is active. See the below image:

Instagram 2
Activating Vanish Mode by swiping up on a text box

Next, in Vanish Mode, you can continue to chat normally and send messages in all the usual formats, like direct stories, voice clips, and more. See the following image:

Instagram 3
You are in Vanish Mode

The difference is that once you swipe up again to leave Vanish Mode and the other person reads whatever you have sent, Instagram will delete those messages. Refer to the below image:

Instagram 4
Exiting Vanish Mode by swiping up

Now, while the recipient is free to take a screenshot of your messages in Vanish Mode, Instagram will notify you if and when they do.

Note! Instagram retains your Vanish Mode media and texts for up to an hour after they have been deleted. This is in case the recipient files a report for abuse and harassment and Instagram needs the Vanish Mode data to take action.

Quote For the Day

When you’re young, you look at television and think, there’s a conspiracy. The networks have conspired to dumb us down. But when you get a little older, you realize that’s not true. The networks are in business to give people exactly what they want.

Steve Jobs

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Author: Raymond

I am Raymond Oglesby, an Information Technology (IT) specialist with 30 years in the field. I have taught Microsoft Applications and troubleshot computers in 15 countries and many States. My career was focused on mainframes and desktops from application development to implementation. I have written hundreds of programs for various architectures. I decided to start a blog to share my knowledge and experiences with you. I plan on updating this blog at least twice a week about smart phone apps to Windows. Please feel free to leave a Comment or Tweet. I would love to hear from you. Do you have a computer tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Please mention the app and version that you are using. To help me out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

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