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How to Use Telegram Secret Chat

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Open the profile of the person you want to chat with

    Go to the profile screen of the contact you want to start a secret chat with.

  2. Select "Start Secret Chat" from the three-dot menu

    Open the more-options menu and tap "Start Secret Chat."

  3. Use end-to-end encryption and a self-destruct timer

    A secret chat is end-to-end encrypted and stored only on this device and the other person's device, and you can also set a timer that makes messages disappear automatically after a set amount of time.

  4. Understand the forwarding limits and that nothing is stored in the cloud

    Messages in a secret chat cannot be forwarded to other chats and are never stored on Telegram's servers, so there is no way to view them once you leave this device.

  5. Why this is useful

    For sensitive conversations, having no trace left in the cloud and messages that can disappear automatically after a set time makes it useful whenever you need extra security.

When a conversation needs extra security

For sensitive conversations, keeping no trace in the cloud and letting messages disappear automatically after a set amount of time makes secret chat a useful option whenever you need a higher level of security than usual.

The other person is notified if you take a screenshot

Secret chat sends a notification to the other person the moment you take a screenshot of the conversation -- a feature regular chats do not have. It is not a perfect guarantee, but it does add some friction against content being saved without permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my secret chat messages on another device?

No -- a secret chat is only stored on the device it was started on and the other person's device, so logging in on a new device will not show any previous secret chats.

How can I tell a secret chat apart from a regular chat?

A secret chat shows up in your chat list with a lock icon and a green color theme, so it stands out visually from an ordinary chat.