Instagram at work on messages that self-destruct: how it works

Instagram is ready to release a new feature that changes the application forever: messages that self-destruct after 24 hours

After WhasApp also Instagram decides to test a feature to write messages that self-destruct. It is a period of great news for the social network that does not stop enriching itself with new features: after the ability to hide the Stories of users, now is also coming the option that will allow you to write private messages that self-delete. Of course, this is not an original idea, in fact, this is the feature that made Snapchat popular and that already exists on Telegram.

The communication is not official, but it is an indiscretion that is the result of a chance discovery. In fact, it was noticed by the famous leaker Jane Manchun Wong while browsing the code of the application. After immortalizing such a conversation, she posted it within her Twitter account. According to her description, messages sent with the phone in dark mode will self-destruct. The novelty will give a new boost to DMs on Instagram.

Instagram: self-destructing messages features

The "ephemeral" messages are the feature that made Snapchat popular and that we already find on several platforms, including Telegram. Now it would also be ready to land on Instagram. They were discovered by Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) who found within the Android app a code labeled "speak no evil". Intrigued, she delved deeper and discovered that the app is definitely testing self-destructing messages.

But how would they work? First of all, according to the expert, they only activate when the app is in dark mode. Users enter inside the DM (Direct Message) screen and start chatting normally. But later, when the window is closed, the conversation disappears.

When the new feature on Instagram arrives

Following this rumor, Instagram users got curious looking for reliable answers from Mark Zuckerberg's company. The developer team has let some news about this leak out, publishing a statement that goes something like this, "We are continually exploring new features to improve the user experience with messaging. Self-destructing messages are still in development and have not been externally tested." The feature therefore exists and will probably be released, but it is not yet known how and when.

After Stories, chats should therefore be another temporary content intended to revolutionize the application. Facebook had also tried to include them within a standalone app called Slingshot. It happened in 2014, when Snapchat rejected an acquisition offer from Mark Zuckerberg. This feature at the time allowed people to send messages and share photos that self-destructed, but it was eiminated just a year later. In recent days, Twitter has also revealed that it is working on a similar feature: users will be able to share a post that will have a 24-hour duration. This would leave users more free to share their thoughts in the social network.