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How to use Secret Conversations on Messenger

Using Facebook Messenger’s “Secret Conversations” feature, you can ensure your messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted so that only the sender and the receiver can access them.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
October 27, 2022

Using Facebook Messenger’s “Secret Conversations” feature, you can ensure your messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted so that only the sender and the receiver can access them. Let’s explore how to utilize this feature on your iPhone and Android phone.

Note: Facebook Messenger’s “Secret Conversations” feature is only available on iPhone and Android. You can not use it in Messenger on the web.

This is for iPhone and Android. screenshots are from iPhone XR running iOS 16+

Dilbert and Office — *Copyright Scott Adams, Inc./Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS*

How Does the Secret Conversations Feature Work

When you enable the “Secret Conversations” feature with a user, Messenger encrypts your messages and calls as soon as you send them. Then, these contents are only decrypted on the receiver’s phone. This ensures no one can access your chat content, not even Meta without physical access.

That encryption is the difference between a regular chat and a secret one. If any bad actors gain access to Meta’s servers, they can not see your encrypted messages. Any of your regular chats might be visible, as they remain unencrypted on Meta’s servers.

However, Meta restricts who you can have secret chats with. At the time of writing in September 2022, you can not start such a chat with businesses, professional accounts, Instagram accounts from Messenger, and people you have not messaged before. Also, both you and your chatting partner need to be using the latest version of the app, so make sure you both update Messenger on your respective devices.

Additionally, certain features you might be used to will not work while in one of these chats. Meta states that group messages and money payments are not supported in secret conversations. If those limitations create problems for you, look into alternative secure communication methods that might offer the features you need.

Start a Secret Chat

First, launch the Messenger app on your phone. In the Messenger app’s top-right corner, tap the Edit icon. Refer to the below image:

Next, in the New Message screen, at the top-right-hand corner, enable the “Secret Conversations” (the lock icon) option. See the below image:

Now, on the same page, in the To field, enter the name of the person you want to have a secret chat with. Then, select that person from the list. See the following image:

Messenger 3 — Selecting a person to Chat with

Next, a new chat will start with your chosen person. Any messages or calls you make in this conversation will be end-to-end encrypted. You can start sending messages as usual. Refer to the below image:

Messenger 4 — Sending your encrypted message

Now, to make a voice or video call, at the top of the chat screen, tap the appropriate icon. See the below image:

Messenger 5 — Making a voice or video call

Delete a Chat

Next, to delete your secret chat with someone, tap the person’s name at the top. See the following image:

Messenger 6 — Selecting a person to delete the Chat

Now, in the menu that opens, choose Delete Chat. Refer to the below image:

Quote For the Day

We take the highest and best of human faculties, and, exalting them in our imagination to an unlimited extent, endeavour to attain an imperfect conception of that Infinite Power which created everything around us.
Charles Babbage (1791-1871), pioneer of modern computer

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How to Identify Bird Calls On Your Phone

Listening to bird calls is a great, relaxing way to enjoy nature. If your curiosity gets the best of you, hearing the calls may not be enough.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
October 18, 2022

Listening to bird calls is a great, relaxing way to enjoy nature. If your curiosity gets the best of you, hearing the calls may not be enough. Let’s explore how to identify birds.

This is for the iPhone and Android. Screenshots are from iPhone XR running iOS 15.6+

Dilbert and Chips — *Copyright Scott Adams, Inc./Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS*

There’s a good chance you take your phone with you when you are out for a nature walk. Did you know it can be a surprisingly accurate bird identification tool?

Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is one of the top resources for information about birds. The Merlin Bird ID app puts all of that great information at your fingertips. It’s available for Android and iPhone. First, access the App store and search for Merlin Bird ID.

Next, tap Get to download the app. Refer to the below image:

Merlin 1 — Download the app from the App Store

Now, enter your email address and tap the Submit button. See the below image:

Next, check your email to confirm your address, then tap the Continue button. See the following image:

Now, the Merlin Bird ID app will open. Here, tap on View Suggested for Bird Packs. Refer to the below image:

Merlin 4 — Select the View Suggested option

Next, we are selecting the Oklahoma and Texas Bird Pack since we live in Oklahoma, then tap the Install button. Note! check your phone’s remaining storage before downloading. See the below image:

Now, when the app opens, you have a few options. Start Bird ID and Photo ID are for identifying birds based on their sound or appearance. The one we want to use is Sound ID, so tap it. See the following image:

Next, a menu will appear with a few options. To immediately start listening for bird calls around you, tap the big Microphone button. Refer to the below image:

Now, the app will immediately start listening and populate the identified birds on the screen. The bird that is currently singing is highlighted in yellow. See the below image:

Merlin 8 — The identified bird is highlighted in yellow

Next, tap the red Stop button when you are done. You will get a list of all the birds identified, and you can select any of them to read more information. See the following image:

Your Bird Recordings

Now, go back to the Merlin Bird ID home page and tap the Menu icon in the upper left-hand corner. Refer to the below image:

Next, on the menu that opens, tap the My Sound Recordings option. See the below image:

Merlin 11 — Select the My Sound Recordings option

Now, tap the top listing for your latest bird sound recording. See the following image:

Next, once again, tap the top listing, then the Play button to hear the bird recording. Refer to the below image:

You can simply let the app listen to your surroundings and watch the identified birds pop up on the screen. The Merlin Bird ID app is chock full of great information if you are curious about birds.