How to Use “Secret Conversations” on Facebook Messenger
With Facebook Messenger’s Secret Conversations feature, you can ensure that your messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted so that only the sender and recipient can access them. We’ll show you how to use this feature on your iPhone or Android phone.
Note: Facebook Messenger’s Secret Conversations feature is only available on iPhone and Android. You cannot use it in Messenger on the web.
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What does the Secret Conversations feature do in Messenger?
When you turn on the Secret Conversations feature with a user, Messenger encrypts your messages and calls as soon as you send them. This content is then only decrypted on the recipient’s phone. This ensures that no one can access your chat content, not even Meta — at least not without physical access to you or your recipient’s phone.
This encryption is the difference between a normal chat and a secret one. If any attackers gain access to Meta’s servers, they will not be able to see your encrypted messages. All your regular chats may be viewable as they remain unencrypted on Meta’s servers.
However, Meta restricts who you can have secret chats with. At the time of writing in August 2022, you cannot start such a chat with businesses, professional accounts, Messenger Instagram accounts, and people you have never messaged. Also, both you and your chat partner must be using the latest version of the app, so make sure you update both messengers on your respective devices.
Additionally, certain features that you may be used to do not work in any of these chats. Meta states that group messaging and money payments are not supported in secret conversations. If these limitations cause you problems, look for alternative secure communication methods that may provide the features you need.
Start a secret chat in Messenger for iPhone, iPad and Android
To start a new secret chat with someone, first launch the Messenger app on your phone.
In the upper-right corner of the Messenger app, tap the pencil icon.
You will see the New Message screen. Activate the option “Secret Conversations” in the upper right corner.
On the same page, in the To field, enter the name of the person you want to secretly chat with. Then select that person from the list.
A new chat with your selected person will start. Any message or call you make in this conversation will be end-to-end encrypted. You can start sending messages as usual.
To make a voice or video call, tap the appropriate icon at the top of the chat screen.
To delete your secret chat with someone, tap the “i” icon in the upper-right corner of the chat screen. Then scroll down the page and select “Delete Chat”.
And here’s how to have secret conversations with your chosen one on Facebook’s messenger platform. Happy chatting!
Did you know that Messenger lets you send disappearing messages? Check out our guide on how to use this feature.
TIED TOGETHER: How to Send Disappearing Messages in Facebook Messenger