Messenger – Tech Savvy Life

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 Stop Facebook Messenger Opening at Startup for Windows 10/11

Recently, we had Facebook Messenger start loading at startup. We had not enabled this to happen; it seemed to have a mind of its own.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
July 14, 2022

Recently, we had Facebook Messenger start loading at startup. We had not enabled this to happen; it seemed to have a mind of its own. Let’s explore one way to fix this behavior.

This is for Windows 10 and 11. Screenshots are from Windows 10

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

Besides us, Windows users have raised complaints that Facebook Messenger opens up automatically as soon as the OS starts up.

Notably, this issue is not limited only to Facebook Messenger, but it is happening to other apps, including Windows Messenger, Skype, etc. as well.

The result of this is that the unwanted process running right during the startup makes the boot a bit slow, and hampers the overall performance of the Windows PC.

Reportedly, the issue is so severe that sometimes, users are also experiencing frozen screens, blue screens, high CPU and RAM usage, laptops getting heated up, etc., problems.

This can be pretty annoying if you simply do not use any of the apps on your PC.

Reasons for Startup Issue

Apps opening or running during Windows startup is quite common, but for some essential apps. For instance, system processes, antivirus software, and productivity tools load right during the startup.

However, there are a few notorious apps that muscle their way into the startup process. These apps are not necessary to load up during the startup as they are not essential.

There are a few reasons why several users are experiencing Facebook Messenger or other apps opening during Windows startup.

The app is added to the list of start-up apps. This can be done by the software itself, without your input. For some users, apps like Facebook Messenger have made their way to the top of the startup apps list and caused trouble for them.

Besides, most apps come with a built-in toggle or option to run the program at startup. For obvious reasons, if this feature is turned on, your PC will load the program during startup.

Stop the App From Opening at Startup

The fix we like the best for Windows 10/11 is using Windows Settings.

First, press the Win + I buttons to open Settings, or right-click the Start icon, then the Settings option. Refer to the below image:

Startup Messenger 1 — Accessing Settings

Next, on the Settings screen, click on Apps. See the below image:

Now, select Startup from the list of options in the left pane. See the following image:

Startup Messenger 3 — Selecting Startup option

Next, locate the Messenger app. You may see two Messenger apps. To the right of the Messenger app(s), toggle the switch to OFF. Refer to the below image:

Startup Messenger 4 — Toggle Messenger app(s) apps to OFF

Now, exit Settings and reboot. You should not see Facebook Messenger loaded.

Quote For The Day

The digital camera is a great invention because it allows us to reminisce. Instantly.
Demetri Martin

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How to Delete Messages in Facebook Messenger

If you do not wish to keep a single or an entire chat in your Facebook Messenger, the company allows you to delete individual or all your messages at once.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
June 28, 2022

If you do not wish to keep a single or an entire chat in your Facebook Messenger, the company allows you to delete individual or all your messages at once. Let’s find out on your desktop and mobile.

Note! Your deleted messages can not be restored, so make sure you really want to get rid of your messages.

This is for devices using Facebook Messenger. Screenshots are from iPhone XR and Windows 10. Messenger’s latest version is 2022 so screenshots may be different from your device.

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

You can remove, unsend, or delete messages or chats. This post gives you different methods on how to “back out” your messages or chats. This means you can “undo” mistakenly sent messages. For the Unsend, you have 10 minutes to retract the original message. The Remove feature deletes the message.

Delete Messages on the Desktop

If you are on a desktop computer like Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook, use the Facebook website to delete individual or all messages from your account.

First, launch a web browser on your computer and access Facebook. Log in to your account on the site if you are not already logged in.

Next, in Facebook’s top right-hand corner, click the Messenger icon. Refer to the below image:

Now, in the Messenger panel, at the bottom, click See All in Messenger. See the below image:

Next, in the Chats sidebar on the left, you will see all your conversations. Select the chat in which you want to delete messages.

Now, on the right pane, find the individual message to delete. Then hover over that message, click the Menu icon (the three vertical dots), and choose Remove. See the following image:

Next, depending on the message you select, click either Remove for you or Remove for everyone. Refer to the below image:

Now, if you have selected your own message, select Remove For You.

In the window’s bottom left-hand corner, click Remove and your message will be deleted. See the below image:

Next, if you have selected an everybody message, select Remove for everyone.

In the window’s bottom left-hand corner, click Remove and your message will be deleted. See the following image:

Now, if you would like to delete an entire conversation, then in the left sidebar, find that conversation. Then hover over that chat, click the Menu icon (the three vertical dots), and choose Delete Chat. Refer to the below image:

Next, in the prompt that opens, click Delete Chat. See the below image:

Now, Facebook will delete your selected chat on the desktop.

Delete Messages on Mobile

On your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, make use of the Messenger app to delete your individual messages or entire chats.

First, launch the Facebook Messenger app.

Next, tap the conversation from which you want to remove messages.

Now, on the conversation page, tap and hold on to the message to remove. If you have selected the other party’s message, then in the menu that opens, select More > Remove. If you have selected your own message, then tap Remove. The message is deleted on your end, but the other party can still access it. See the following image:

Next, To delete the message from everyone involved in the chat, choose Unsend. Refer to the below image:

Now, you can choose Unsend for everyone or Unsend for you. See the below image:

Messenger 11 — Selecting an option to Unsend

Next, to remove the message only from your own chat history, select Remove For You. See the following image:

Messenger 10 — Selecting Remove for you option

Now, you can also delete entire chats with someone. To do so, tap and hold on to the chat to delete. Then, in the menu that opens, select Delete. Refer to the below image:

Next, in the prompt that opens, tap Delete. See the below image:

Now, you have successfully deleted your messages from Facebook Messenger on mobile.

Quote For the Day

People are stunned to hear that one company has data files on 185 million Americans.
Ralph Nader

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Author’s E-book

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The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Make Messages Disappear in Messenger

Privacy is an important thing to consider when putting all of your conversations into a messaging app. With Facebook Messenger’s Vanish Mode, you can make sensitive messages disappear after the recipient has read them. It’s a nice privacy trick.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
November 30, 2021

Privacy is an important thing to consider when putting all of your conversations into a messaging app. With Facebook Messenger’s Vanish Mode, you can make sensitive messages disappear after the recipient has read them. It’s a nice privacy trick.

Vanish Mode is also available on Instagram and it works exactly the same as Facebook Messenger. The idea is you start Vanish Mode, say what you want to say, then leave Vanish Mode. After your messages have been seen, they disappear.

This is for iPhone, iPad, and Android using Messenger

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

First, open Messenger and start a conversation with someone you are friends with. Refer to the below image:

FB 1 — Selecting a friend to start a conversation

Next, while in the conversation view, press down and hold while swiping up from the text box. You will see a little indicator to help you get into Vanish Mode. The tiny dot is barely visible. On the below screenshot, you will notice the top of the screen has changed color. See the below image:

Now, on your first use of Vanish Mode, a confirmation screen will be displayed. Tap OK to continue. See the following image:

Next, in Vanish Mode, the background will be dark. You can now have a conversation like you normally would. Refer to the below image:

Now, if you or the recipient takes a screenshot while you are in Vanish Mode, you will be notified. See the below image:

FB 5 — Notification either you or the recipient has taken a screenshot

Next, when you are ready for everything to disappear, tap on Turn Off Vanish Mode. You can also do the swipe-up gesture again. See the following image:

Note! Messenger 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 Messenger needs the Vanish Mode data to take action.

You can also turn on Vanish Mode via the recipient profile. Scroll down to the Privacy & Support section and toggle Vanish Mode to ON. Refer to the below image:

FB 7 — Entering Vanish Mode from recipient profile

Quote For the Day

The reason that Apple is able to create products like the iPad is because we’ve always tried to be at the intersection of technology and the liberal arts.
Steve Jobs

That’s all there is to it. Think of it like walking into a sound-proof room to have a secret conversation. You can enter Vanish Mode for a while and then leave when you are done.

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Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love hearing from you. Do you have a computer or smart device tech question? I will do my best to answer your inquiry. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life. Please mention the device, app, and version you are using. To help us out, you can send screenshots of your data related to your question.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Send a Messenger Video to Facebook

Are you unable to share a Messenger video on your iPhone to social media, like Facebook? This share feature is not available on the smartphone. But it is possible on your desktop or laptop.

This is for any device using Messenger and Facebook

Messenger on iPhone

On your iPhone, open Messenger and find the video you want to share like the example below:

You can click the Up Arrow rectangle box to send the video to certain friends and/or Create a Group. But we want to share the video to Facebook. Following are the steps:

Messenger on Desktop/Laptop

Open Messenger or Facebook on your desktop/laptop then select Messenger
Move your mouse next to the Up Arrow rectangle box
A Reply and More actions will magically appear
Click on More
Click on Save to Facebook

Your screen will look like the below image:

Facebook

Open Facebook on your Desktop/Laptop
Go to Home menu option on Facebook
On the left hand side menu, expand Explore (if necessary) and locate Saved
Click on Saved and you will see the video as shown below:

Click on the Share button to share on Facebook

Sometimes the author has blocked a video from being shared. If so, the Share button will not be displayed.

Courtesy Of

This tip is the courtesy of my wife, Dr. Aletha C. Oglesby. You may want to check out her blog on medical topics at Watercress Words-exploring and sharing the HEARTH of health.

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Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love hearing 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.

How Does the Secret Conversations Feature Work

Start a Secret Chat

Delete a Chat

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Reasons for Startup Issue

Stop the App From Opening at Startup

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Delete Messages on the Desktop

Delete Messages on Mobile

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Messenger on iPhone

Messenger on Desktop/Laptop

Facebook

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