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How to send disappearing messages in iOS 8

How to send disappearing messages in iOS 8
Pier Francesco Piccolomini

Pier Francesco Piccolomini

  • Updated:

iOS 8 may not be a revolutionary upgrade but it polishes the changes introduced in iOS 7. Even Apple can’t ignore the popularity of features of other apps, adding them as native features in its operating system. In this case, Apple has included self-destructing messages into Messages, just like Snapchat.

Apple offers free calls through Facetime and now you can also send audio and video messages with expiration times. This feature will give some people a sense of security because photos will be deleted after a period of time.

You should be aware that this function only works if both people are using iOS 8. If you are talking with someone on an older version of iOS, these features won’t work.

Two minutes to expiration

To send self-destructing photos or videos, hold the camera icon in Messages. A new option for taking a picture or recording video will pop-up.

You can choose to take a picture or use the record button for video.

When recording video, you can just tap the record button to start recording and tap it again to stop or hold it down and remove your finger when you’ve finished recording. After you’ve finished recording, you can preview the video, send it, or delete it.

Send a picture with the camera icon: If you press the camera icon, the device will take a picture immediately.

If you prefer to send a voice message, tap the microphone icon that’s to the right of the text box. Recording will begin automatically and after you’re finished, you can choose to send or delete it.

To customize the settings for audio and video messages, go to Settings > Messages. You have two options: set the audio or video to expire after two minutes or keep it forever.

Sending photos

Instead of taking a quick snapshot, if you hold the camera icon you can choose a photo or video from your library.

While you can’t set photos to self-destruct, you can set a timer for Messages to delete chats. There are three options: 30 days, 1 year, or Forever.

Only works in iOS 8

These improvements for Messages are only available in iOS 8. If you use an older version of iOS or chat with someone using a different mobile OS, then the options in Messages won’t work.

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Originally published in Italian for Softonic IT.

Pier Francesco Piccolomini

Pier Francesco Piccolomini

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