New 'Vanish Mode' in Messenger and Instagram Enables Disappearing Chats - MacRumors
Skip to Content

New 'Vanish Mode' in Messenger and Instagram Enables Disappearing Chats

by

Facebook's Messenger and Instagram apps are getting a new "vanish mode" feature that gives users a new way to chat using disappearing messages.

messenger disappearing messages
Disappearing messages can already be used in Messenger's "secret conversation" feature, but they require several steps and users have to set a timer to make the messages disappear.

However, the new "vanish mode" is enabled by simply swiping up in a chat, after which messages disappear after they're seen, and if the recipient takes a screenshot of the conversation, the sender will be notified.

Accessing the new mode in Instagram requires that users accept Facebook's offer to integrate Messenger features into Instagram's in-app chat.

Facebook recently rolled out a new disappearing messages feature to all WhatsApp users on iOS and Android, allowing messages, photos, and videos to be marked to disappear after seven days.

Vanish mode is available to Messenger users in the U.S. now and Facebook says the feature will expand to additional countries, and to Instagram, "soon."

(Via Engadget.)

Tags: Facebook Messenger, Instagram

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Read Full Article • 25 comments
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
Read Full Article • 46 comments
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...
Read Full Article • 86 comments

Top Rated Comments

djcerla Avatar
djcerla
70 months ago
On my phone, Facebook is in Vanish Mode since 2017.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brett_x Avatar
brett_x
70 months ago
"Vanish".. well for end users anyway. I'm sure Facebook keeps the data for themselves (and their advertisers).
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sebosz Avatar
Sebosz
70 months ago
It’s 2020 and people still feel the irresistible need to inform everybody that they don’t use/hate Facebook whenever it’s mentioned? Okay, we get it, you’re so cool and safe.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TwoBytes Avatar
TwoBytes
70 months ago
This should be relabelled vanished for the user, kept by Facebook.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brett_x Avatar
brett_x
70 months ago
This brings up a gripe of mine. Who's business is it if I take a screenshot on my phone? MINE and Nobody else's. Nobody should be informed if/when I take a screenshot. I'm really surprised Apple lets Facebook and others (I think Snapchat started this) to have this feature. I'm relatively sure it could be restricted through API's. It's a privacy thing, so Apple should take the lead.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PinkyMacGodess Avatar
PinkyMacGodess
70 months ago

This should be relabelled vanished for the user, kept by Facebook.
I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to use any of that treasure trove to embarrass or threaten a famous person they don't like.

Facebook was started by an immature college student to shame and punish people in his clique they didn't like. It really hasn't grown up from that infantile start. Zuckerberg needs to go. I've been involved with two 'mom and pop' companies that made it big. They reach a point where the expansion is either stopped, or the company goes in a bad direction.

One company had to have a painful 'intervention' for the employees to wrest control of the company from an owner that kept sabotaging their merger process with a larger company.

Zuckerberg needs to step aside, or be pushed aside, for the good of the company and their users.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments