Signal adds a feature to set a preset custom timer duration for all messages that disappear. Earlier, users had to manually configure the hidden messages feature but now all group and personal chats can be pre-configured with a pre-set timer. Signal’s hidden messages functionality was first introduced to users in 2016 and allowed everyone to automatically delete sent and received messages after a specified period of time. Signal recently gained a lot of popularity after a dispute over WhatsApp’s privacy policy earlier this year.

advertisement The new feature via a blog post, Signal mentions that the hidden messages feature is mostly to reduce storage space and limit the amount of conversation history. The encrypted chat application also mentions that the hidden message function of . can also be configured A note on self-determination conversation. However, Signal also warned users that the disappearing message function does not guarantee maximum privacy as the recipient can take a photo of the chat with another device before the message disappears.

Signal’s custom timer feature was first introduced in 2016. Earlier, the timer for disappearing messages could be set from five seconds to one week. However, users can now set a custom timer that can be set to less than one second. New standard options for setting the timer from 30 seconds to four weeks.

To set a timer for messages to disappear, tap on the three dots icon and tap on Settings. Once there, head over to Privacy where you will find an option for the default timer for new conversations. This menu gives you nine options – off, 4 weeks, 1 week, 1 day, 8 hours, 1 hour, 5 minutes, 30 seconds, And allotted time.