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This is the continuation of the article titled "Auto-Deletion or Disappearing Messages in Messaging Apps (Part 1)." If you use messaging apps to transmit sensitive information-such as personal or financial data, passwords, or confidential documents-many services offer the ability to enable auto-deletion for all conversations or selected chats.

This feature is especially valuable for individuals and organizations operating in high-risk environments, as well as for those traveling to dangerous regions.

Messaging Apps That Support Auto-Deletion

Wire - Offers a timer ranging from a few seconds to four weeks; available in both private and group chats.
Wickr - Messages self-destruct after a specified time; the timer is customizable per message.
Element - Supports auto-deletion only with specific server configurations (Matrix Synapse); not available by default.
Briar - Includes a timer that activates after the message is read; messages disappear from both devices.
Session - Allows flexible message expiration settings per chat; supports deletion after sending or after reading.
Keybase - Supports "exploding messages" that vanish between 30 seconds and 7 days after being sent.

Notes

In Element (Matrix), auto-deletion is only possible if the server's retention policy is enabled. Users must manually create an m.room.retention event.
In Session, message expiration can be configured individually for each conversation.
In Keybase, exploding messages not only disappear but also destroy the encryption keys for added security.

Why Enable This Feature in Messaging Apps?

Messaging apps that use end-to-end encryption (E2EE) protect your message history from being accessed in the event of an account breach. This means that even if an attacker gains access to your account, they will not be able to read past messages. However, this does not protect against physical access to your device. If there is a risk that adversaries may gain physical access to your phone, enabling auto-deletion is a critical safeguard.

Messaging Apps with End-to-End Encryption

Wire - Encryption is always enabled. Supports guest rooms and message self-destruction.
Wickr - Encryption is always enabled. Includes a "shredding" feature and does not require a phone number or email.
Element - Encryption is always enabled. A decentralized messenger built on the Matrix protocol.
Briar - Encryption is always enabled. Works offline using peer-to-peer connections and Tor integration.
Session - Encryption is always enabled. Decentralized, does not require a phone number or email, and uses anonymous IDs.
Keybase - Encryption is always enabled. Also supports secure file sharing and identity verification.

Benefits of Auto-Deleting Messages

You will not forget to delete sensitive conversations.
Messages are deleted for all participants in the chat, not just on your device.
Even if your contact has not enabled the feature, messages will still be deleted.
You can set a timer that suits your needs-determining how long messages remain accessible after being sent.
You can enable auto-deletion for all chats or only for the most sensitive ones.

Things to Keep in Mind

Messages sent before enabling this feature will not be deleted automatically; they must be removed manually.
You cannot activate auto-deletion without notifying other participants in the chat. They will receive a notification and the timer will be applied.

Remember, security is a layered process. It is essential that your messaging apps and devices are properly secured and configured.

How to Enable Auto-Deletion in Wire

Wire allows you to send messages that automatically disappear after a specified time. This helps prevent the accumulation of sensitive data in chats and maintains privacy without requiring manual cleanup. The feature is available in both private and group chats. You can set a timer for texts, photos, videos, audio files, documents, and links. Once the timer expires, the message is deleted from both devices.

Important: The timer activates only after the message becomes visible on the recipient's screen. Messages sent prior to enabling the timer will not be deleted automatically.

Steps to Enable Auto-Deletion in Wire

For Private Chats

Open the chat with the desired contact.
Tap the timer icon (hourglass) in the message input field.
Select the desired expiration time: from 5 seconds to 4 weeks
Type your message and send it-the timer will activate automatically.

For Group Chats

Open the group chat.
Tap the group name or chat information.
Select the option "Self-deleting messages."
Set the timer for all group members.
To disable the feature, return to the settings and select "Off."

How to Enable Auto-Deletion in Wickr

Wickr allows you to configure two types of timers: Expiration Time (the total lifespan of the message) and Burn-on-Read (the time after the message is opened). This means you can control how long a message remains accessible and when it disappears after being viewed. Messages are automatically deleted from both devices and cannot be recovered.

Important: Timers are applied individually to each message. You can set different parameters for different chats or message types.

Steps to Enable Auto-Deletion in Wickr

Open the chat with the desired contact or group.
Tap the timer icon next to the message input field.
Set the two parameters:
- Expiration Time - the total lifespan of the message (e.g., 6 hours, 3 days, 1 week)
- Burn-on-Read -the time after which the message will be deleted once opened (e.g., 30 seconds, 5 minutes)
Type your message and send it-the timers will activate automatically.

Wickr will then delete the message according to the selected parameters, even if the recipient does not respond.

How to Enable Auto-Deletion in Element

If you use Element (a client for the Matrix protocol) to exchange confidential information, it is important to note that Element does not include a built-in message self-destruction feature in the client itself. Instead, this functionality is implemented through a server-side message retention policy, which must be manually configured by the administrator of the Matrix server. This means that messages can be automatically deleted after a specified period, but only if the server supports this feature and the Element client processes it correctly.

Important: Even after a message is deleted from the server, it may remain in the local cache of the Element client. Users may need to manually clear the cache to ensure that messages are fully removed.

Steps to Enable Auto-Deletion in Element

This feature is available only to administrators of Matrix servers (Synapse). To activate it:

Log in to the administrative panel of your Matrix server.
Create or modify the room where auto-deletion is required.
Add an event of type m.room.retention to the room.
Specify the parameters, for example:
- min_lifetime: the minimum time a message should be retained (e.g., 1 hour)
- max_lifetime: the maximum retention period (e.g., 7 days)
Save the changes-the server will automatically delete messages after the specified time.

Alternatives for Users

You can manually edit or delete messages.
A room administrator can delete the chat history via API or manually.
For enhanced privacy, you can create a temporary room that is deleted after the conversation ends.

How to Enable Auto-Deletion in Briar

In standard mode, messages remain on both participants' devices and must be deleted manually. However, Briar allows you to set a timer after which messages automatically disappear from both devices. This feature is available for each chat individually. Once activated, all new messages will be automatically deleted after the selected time period. A notification will appear in the chat, and the message input field will change to display a timer icon.

Important: Auto-deletion does not apply to messages sent before the feature is activated. Additionally, messages may remain on the device if synchronization has not occurred or the chat has not been opened.

Steps to Enable Auto-Deletion in Briar

Open the chat with the desired contact.
Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
Select "Disappearing messages."
Enable the feature and set the timer (e.g., 1 day, 7 days).
After activation:
- A notification will appear in the chat confirming the timer.
- All new messages will be automatically deleted after the selected time expires.

How to Enable Auto-Deletion in Session

Session is a decentralized messenger that does not require a phone number and does not store metadata. If you want your messages to automatically disappear after a certain period, Session includes a "disappearing messages" feature that can be activated for each chat individually. Once the timer is set, all new messages in that chat will be automatically deleted from both devices after the selected duration. This is especially useful for sharing sensitive information that should not remain in chat history.

Steps to Enable Disappearing Messages in Session

Open the chat with the desired contact.
Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
Select "Disappearing messages."
Set the timer (e.g., 5 seconds, 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day).
After activation:
- A notification will appear in the chat confirming the timer.
- All new messages will be automatically deleted after the selected time.

What You Should Know

The timer applies only to messages sent after activation.
If one participant disables the timer, messages will stop disappearing.
Session may restrict screenshot functionality on certain devices, depending on the operating system.

How to Enable Auto-Deletion in Keybase

The "exploding messages" feature in Keybase allows messages to be automatically deleted after a specified time. This reduces the risk of sensitive data being stored on devices or servers. Once the timer is activated, the message disappears from both devices. Additionally, Keybase destroys the encryption keys associated with the message, ensuring forward secrecy-even if someone gains access to the device, they cannot decrypt past messages.

Important: The timer applies only to messages sent after it is set. Messages sent prior to activation will remain in the chat.

Steps to Enable Auto-Deletion in Keybase

Open the chat with the desired contact or group.
In the message input field, tap the bomb icon 💣 (Exploding Message).
Choose the desired expiration time: from 30 seconds to 7 days
Type your message and send it-the timer will activate automatically.
An indicator will appear in the chat showing that the message will self-destruct after being read or once the timer expires.

FAQ

What is auto-deletion of messages?
Auto-deletion is a feature that allows messages in messaging apps to be automatically removed after a certain period or after being read. It enhances privacy and reduces the risk of sensitive data being stored.

Are messages deleted for all participants in the chat?
Yes, in most messaging apps (such as Wire, Wickr, Briar, Session, and Keybase), messages are deleted from all participants' devices if auto-deletion is enabled. However, this does not apply to messages sent before the feature was activated.

Can deleted messages be recovered?
No, messages deleted through auto-deletion are generally not recoverable, especially in apps with end-to-end encryption such as Wickr or Keybase, where encryption keys are also destroyed.

Does auto-deletion protect against screenshots?
Auto-deletion does not prevent screenshots, although some apps like Session may restrict this capability depending on the operating system. For maximum security, avoid sending sensitive information that could be captured via screenshot.

Does auto-deletion work in group chats?
Yes, in most messaging apps (such as Wire, Wickr, and Keybase), auto-deletion works in group chats. In some cases (such as Element), this depends on server-side configuration.

What should I do if auto-deletion is not working?
Ensure the feature is enabled for the desired chat and that devices are properly synchronized (especially in Briar). If using Element, verify that the server supports the retention policy. If the issue persists, consult the app's documentation or contact technical support.

Conclusion

The auto-deletion feature in messaging apps is a vital tool for maintaining privacy and securing communications. It helps prevent the accumulation of sensitive data, minimizes the risk of exposure in the event of physical device access, and simplifies the management of confidential information. Messaging apps such as Wire, Wickr, Element, Briar, Session, and Keybase offer flexible timer settings that allow users to tailor the feature to their specific needs.

However, for maximum security, it is essential to combine auto-deletion with other protective measures, such as end-to-end encryption, strong passwords, and device security. Enable auto-deletion for sensitive chats and ensure that your contacts also understand the importance of safeguarding data.