How to Use Secret Chat in Telegram

Are you looking for a messaging app that prioritizes your privacy and security? Look no further than Telegram. This instant messaging service has built its whole reputation on its commitment to confidentiality.

If you want to take your privacy to the next level, try Secret Chat – a feature which deletes your messages as you send them. This article will explain how to set up and use Secret Chat on Telegram

What Is Telegram?

Founded in 2013 by brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, Telegram is a cloud-based app for messaging, group chats, and video calling. It stands alone in a competitive field, however, for its superior privacy and security measures. Think of it like hiring a personal bodyguard for your conversations. Telegram is so confident in its encryption that the company is willing to bet big on it. If you manage to decipher a message sent on its platform, it will pay you up to $300,000. Message away safely.

What Is Secret Chat?

This premium feature on Telegram allows users to enjoy even more secure chats. For one thing, these messages can’t be forwarded, and they don’t stick around on servers for long. Instead, they essentially self-destruct after a set amount of time expires.

There’s more to Secret Chat than just its ephemeral nature though. Secret Chats are device-specific, meaning they can only be accessed on the device where they were initiated. Furthermore, you can only message one person at a time: At the time of writing, there’s no Secret Chat feature for group chats.

Steps to Unlocking the Secret Chat Feature

Now that we’ve explained the reasons to use Secret Chat, we’ll go over the steps for getting it set up.

1. Log into Telegram
   
2. Choose who you want to message..
   
3. Tap the profile picture.
   
4. Click on the three dots.
   
5. Select “Start Secret Chat.”
   
6. Start chatting away.

Enjoy this safe space where you can communicate with peace of mind and the knowledge that no one will be going through your messages.

Limitations of Secret Chat

This feature comes with an important caveat. As messages aren’t saved on Telegrams servers, there’s no cloud backup available for Secret Chats. If you need to access your messages again later, nobody at Telegram will be able to help you. The texts are gone for good.

To make the most of your experience, save highly confidential information and stick to regular messaging for chats you want to return to.

Setting a Self-Destruct Timer on Telegram

The Self-Destruct Timer on Telegram adds an extra layer of confidentiality to your conversations. Here’s how to make your messages vanish like magic:

1. Open Telegram.
   
2. Type your message as usual, expressing yourself freely.
   
3. Tap on the clock icon beside the profile picture.
   
4. Select how long you want your message to last before vanishing.
   

Remember, you have full control as you can set the Self-Destruct Timer for each individual message. Sit back and watch as your secret message disappears into thin air.

How to Cancel a Secret Chat on Telegram

If you accidentally initiated a Secret Chat or had a change of heart about self-destructive messages, follow these simple steps to cancel:

1. Open the Secret Chat that you want to bid farewell to.
   
2. Tap the name of the person you’re messaging. A menu will appear, offering you various options.
   
3. Select “Delete contact” to confirm.
   

That’s all there is to it. The Secret Chat will be terminated, wiping all messages and media from both devices forever. It’s as if the conversation never even existed.

Improved Security

There are further steps you can take to safeguard your messages on Telegram. A more extreme but ultra-secure option is to continuously delete messages after they’ve been read. Even with Secret Chat activated, there could be other eyes on your friend’s phone.

If they have other people with them or choose to screenshot your texts, Telegram’s encryption won’t be of help. You’ll get a notification that your chat has been screenshotted, but you won’t be able to delete anything from their phone. This can all be avoided by deleting messages as you send them.

Choose a strong password for your Telegram account, and guard your account information with the utmost care. With strong security measures in place, you can keep your important communications hidden from prying eyes.

Troubleshooting

If you’re still having trouble with Secret Chat, you can try the following.

• Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or the internet.
• Update your Telegram app regularly.
• Try logging out of your account and then logging back in for a new start.

If you require extra help using Secret Chat on Telegram, reaching out to their customer support team is a fantastic option. They will guide you through any unexpected hurdles so you can secret message away.    

Should Parents Be Worried About Secret Chat?

The Secret Chat feature is potentially a drawback when used by kids and teens. Unfortunately, every social media app is host to extremist groups and trolls. All they need is your child’s username, and they can create their own Secret Chat with them. Nobody but your kid will ever see these messages unless they decide to tell somebody. Speak with your child about the dangers of Secret Chat, and make sure they never message with strangers.

Keep It a Secret

If you crave privacy, Telegram could be the ideal alternative to apps like WhatsApp and Signal. With Secret Chat, they offer another level of privacy for your instant messaging. With features like end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, and direct-forwarding prohibition, your confidentiality is ensured.

Follow our security tips to optimize the safety of your messages and you’ll be that much more protected. Have you ever used Secret Chat on Telegram? If so, what were your experiences like? Let us know in the comments sections below.