Use Vanish Mode on Instagram to Send Disappearing DMs

Instagram continues to update its features to improve user experiences on the platforms. Recently, the Meta-owned platform has introduced several new features that have only made users’ lives easier and improved their content, communication and privacy.

Whether you’re a social media influencer, a business owner, or a casual user, Instagram has something for everyone. One such feature is “Vanish Mode,” which allows users to send each other “vanishing” messages, photos, videos, and other content in Instagram chats, or DMs.

When you turn on Vanish mode, things shared in a chat automatically disappear when someone views it or leaves the chat. However, users need to update the Messenger features on Instagram to use disappearing mode.

How to activate Vanish Mode on Instagram

1. Go to Instagram on your mobile phone or tablet.

2. Click the message icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

3. Now open an existing chat or select a new one by typing the + icon.

4. Swipe from the bottom of the screen and hold for one second.

5. A confirmation message will appear on the screen saying that the disappearing mood has been enabled.

6. The background of the conversation will also change, indicating that Vanish Mode has been activated.

7. Once activated, all sent messages will disappear when the recipient sees them. In addition to normal text, you can also send photos, videos, and even disappearing replies to stories in disappearing mode.

Note: Screenshots and screen recordings can still be taken in Vanish Mode. However, the recipient will receive a notification if a screenshot or screen recording is made. Users also cannot save, copy, or forward messages that disappear.

How to disable Vanish Mode on Instagram

1. Follow similar steps and open a chat with Vanish Mode enabled.

2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen again and hold.

3. A message will appear: ‘Release to disable Vanish Mode’.

4. Once done, Vanish mode will be disabled.

Launched in 2020, Instagram’s Vanish Mode is very similar to Snapchat’s self-wipe feature; However, it only works when turned on manually. Also, the feature only works in one-on-one chats, not in group chats.