The problem with sharing files and even sending emails is that your data can remain on one or more servers indefinitely. If you’re sending private information, whether it’s passwords, banking information, or something more risky, that’s really not something you want.
Fortunately, there is an easy way to fix this problem: simply use tools that allow you to set your messages or files to self-destruct. Below we cover several examples of tools that work on your PC, phone or tablet.
Just remember, even when using self-destructing files, there is always a very small risk of data ending up in the wrong hands; after all, you are sending them to someone else. If this seems like a risk you can’t afford to take, then maybe think twice before submitting it.
Self-destructing PC tools
One of our favorite tools expired in September 2020, Firefox Send. The service allows users to send files without creating an account through a trusted source. But since this one is no longer available, we’ve compiled a list of other services that also don’t require login credentials or personal information.
Privacy
Privacy is a free, easy-to-use website that allows you to send self-destructing messages using a variety of methods. We love this site because it doesn’t require any personal or login information to use it. But you can also choose to write a note or upload a file such as an image or document.
Once you visit the website, simply tap the “Create New” box to type or copy and paste content. Or upload your file on the left side. The next page will give you a link to copy it to your device’s clipboard. Paste the link into a text message, email, or other service and send it to your contact.
When your contact receives it, you will receive a notification stating that opening the link will destroy it.
When you refresh the screen or travel to another application, the note is automatically destroyed.
There are two drawbacks to this service, one that we can solve and the other we cannot. First, you will need to send this link via an email client or text messages. Second, the recipient can easily take a screenshot and keep the note forever.
We can’t control whether the recipient captures the note, but we can make sure they don’t know where it came from.
Using a fake phone number or temporary email address will solve the first problem we have listed. Luckily, we have a complete article on how to use a temporary email here.
Finally, you can control how long the content will be active and whether your recipient knows it will self-destruct by selecting “More options” at the bottom of the screen.
Check the “Do not ask for confirmation before displaying and destroying the note” box if you do not want the recipient to receive a warning.
Secure note
Secure note It’s incredibly similar to Privatty, but there are a few more options and messages are encrypted. Like Privatty, it is a free service that does not request any personal information for its use.
All you need to do to send your self-destructing message is click “Upload File” at the top of the web page. Upload your file and select ‘Show advanced options’ to configure your parameters.
Click “Upload Files” and select the platform you want to send the message to. SafeNote will not give you a link to copy and paste on any platform you choose. Instead, you’ll need to select one of the options below the “Upload Files” button.
You can choose Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Email, LinkedIn, Reddit, WA, and Telegram. For added security, you may want to select the Telegram option. In fact, we have an article. here which will help you maintain your privacy.
When your recipient receives the message, it will self-destruct based on the parameters you set previously. Note that you can also add password protection to your note. If you would like to receive email confirmation that your message has disappeared for the recipient, be sure to include it on the “Advanced Options” page before uploading.
Lastly, you can also send a note. Instead of attaching a document or file, simply type your message in the “Private Message” box. SafeNote also has a link to TempMail in the top right corner. Not ready to reveal your real email address? Simply tap here and a new web page will open.
Self-destruct tools for phones and tablets
The idea of self-destructing messages has also taken off in the app developer community! We’ve listed a few ways to send disappearing messages using some of our favorite apps below!
Telegram
If you need to share passwords or other private information with your friends, Telegram’s ‘secret chats’ give you confidence that this information will not end up in the wrong hands. Secret Chats not only offers end-to-end encryption, but it also blocks content forwarding and allows you to arrange your messages, photos, videos, and other files to self-destruct a specific period of time after you’ve read or opened them.
To start a new secret chat on an Android device, open the Telegram main menu and select New secret chat. On iOS, tap the icon in the top right corner in Messages, and then choose New Secret Chat. Next, choose the recipient and set the self-destruct timer by tapping the clock icon and then choosing the desired time limit. Now when you send a message or file, it will disappear based on this timer.
It’s worth noting that secret chats are device-specific, so if you start a secret chat on your Android phone, it will only be visible there, not on your other devices. Any messages you send before setting the self-destruct timer will remain visible to the recipient unless you delete them manually. To do this, long-press on the inpidual message (not the chat) and choose Delete. Photos sent with a timer less than one minute are not available for download and screenshots are also blocked.
Facebook Messenger
If you want to send end-to-end encrypted, self-destructing messages, you may not need to download a dedicated messaging app like Telegram because both features are now supported on Facebook Messenger.
To open a ‘Secret Conversation’ in Messenger for Android, open a regular conversation with the person you want to share private information with, then tap the information button and choose ‘Go to secret conversation’. Like Telegram, Messenger allows you to send messages, photos and videos in Secret Conversations, but it does not support other files.
See related
How to use OneDrive: a guide to Microsoft’s cloud storage service
How to Send Large Files for Free: The Easiest Ways to Send Large Files
To set the self-destruct timer, tap the stopwatch in the text entry field and choose the time after which you want the messages to disappear. Before you type your message, you will see the text entry field clearly marked with a “disappearing message.” Unlike Telegram, there’s no option to manually delete messages from the recipient’s device that you haven’t set to self-destruct, and there’s nothing to stop recipients from using screenshots to capture your self-destructing content.
iMessage (Trust)
Apple iMessage’s ‘Invisible Ink’ feature lets you make messages invisible until the recipient chooses to reveal them, but there’s no option to set them to self-destruct, meaning it only offers added fun and not security. However, it is possible to create self-destructing messages in iMessage by installing the third-party app Confide. Tap the Apps icon within iMessage, then tap the Additional Apps option before selecting the ‘+ Store’ icon. Once you are in the store, tap the search icon to search for Confide and then install it.
To send a self-destructing message with Confide, tap the Apps icon again and then swipe right until you see Confide. Select Start and then you can choose whether to send a message or a self-destructing photo. After entering your message, tap Continue and then the Send button in iMessage. The message appears as an iMessage attachment on the recipient’s device unless you need to install Confide, in which case you’ll see a link you can tap to install it.
Swiping on a message reveals it and you can only view each message once, after which it automatically self-destructs. If you find the process of sending Confide messages in iMessage a bit complicated, you can use the Confide app directly, as long as your recipient also has it. It is also available for Windows, Mac and Android via the link above.
