Disappearing messages allows you to set messages to automatically disappear after specific conditions are met. You can enable this feature in both one-on-one and group chats.
Mobile (iOS and Android):
To enable disappearing messages on your mobile device, open your conversation settings by tapping the profile icon (iOS) or the three dots in the top right of any chat (Android). From there, tap on the Disappearing Messages setting in the pop-up menu.
Desktop:
To enable disappearing messages on desktop, click the profile icon in the top right of the screen (within a chat). From there, click on the Disappearing Messages setting in the menu. Disappearing messages functionality is the same on both mobile and desktop devices.
Configuring Disappearing Messages
One-on-one chats:
In one-on-one chats, you can choose between two disappearing message modes: disappear after read or disappear after send.
With disappear after read, your messages will disappear for the recipient after they read them. Your messages will also disappear for you after sending, following a time period you choose. Any unread messages will automatically disappear after 14 days, even if they haven't been opened.
With disappear after send, your messages will disappear after a time period you choose, whether or not the recipient has seen them. When the time expires, the message is removed for you and the recipient.
Group chats:
In group chats, you can set your messages to disappear a specific time after sending them.
Remember that disappearing message settings, in both one-on-one and group chats, only affect the messages you send—each person in a chat can choose their own settings. Once a message disappears, it's permanently removed from all devices and the Session network, and can't be recovered.