Signal Disappearing Messages on iPhone: How to Use Them
In Signal on iPhone, open a chat's settings, tap Disappearing messages, pick a time and tap Set. Messages sent after that disappear when the timer runs out. Signal itself says this is for tidiness, not for a contact who wants to keep a copy.
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What do I need to know?
- Anyone in the chat can change the timer. In groups, admins can limit who may change it.
- It only applies to new messages. Messages sent before you set the timer stay.
- It cannot stop a photo of the screen. Signal says so in its own help page.
How do I turn on disappearing messages for one chat?
Steps from Signal's support page, Set and manage disappearing messages:
- Open the chat in Signal and go to its chat settings.
- Tap Disappearing messages.
- Pick a time, or choose a custom time of up to 4 weeks.
- Tap Set.
A timer icon appears in the chat header. An alert in the chat shows the new time to everyone.
How do I make it the default for every new chat?
In Signal, go to Settings → Privacy → Default timer for new chats and pick a time. Existing chats keep their own setting. Change those one by one with the steps above.
When does the timer start?
Signal explains both sides:
- Messages you send: the timer starts once you send. It does not wait for a read receipt.
- Messages you receive: the timer starts after you read it.
When the timer ends, Signal says "the message is deleted from disk". Changes to the timer sync to your linked devices.
How do I send a photo that can only be viewed once?
Signal calls this view-once media. Per Signal's View Once Media page:
- Open the chat and add a photo or video as an attachment.
- Tap the view-once icon so it switches on.
- Tap Send.
After sending, you cannot view it either. The recipient opens it full screen once. If unopened, it goes after 45 days or when a shorter disappearing timer ends.
How do I turn it off?
Open the chat settings, tap Disappearing messages, choose Off at the top, then tap Set. Messages sent after that will not disappear.
Can I stop screenshots of my Signal chats?
Only on your own phone. On iOS, Signal's Hide Screen in App Switcher setting covers the preview. Signal says it "does not prevent someone else from taking a screenshot on their device". See Screen Security.
What this doesn't protect against
The other person can screenshot, screen record or photograph your message with another camera. Disappearing messages do not lock Signal on your own phone either. Use Signal's Screen Lock and a strong iPhone passcode for that.
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