- Vanish Mode on Instagram allows you to send disappearing messages, images, and videos to users in DMs.
- To use the feature, open the Instagram app > open a chat > swipe up on chat to turn vanish mode on or off.
- The feature is not available on the web version or desktop Instagram app.
Instagram’s Vanish mode allows you to send disappearing messages in the form of texts, images, videos, and more. These messages are permanently deleted as soon as you close the chat. However, they can also prove to be a hassle if you accidentally enable them. So if you want to keep your texts in the chat, then keep reading on to learn how to turn off vanish mode on Instagram.
What is Vanish Mode on Instagram? How Does It Work?
Vanish mode, or disappearing messages on Instagram, lets you text in privacy as all your chat history gets deleted as soon as you leave the chat window. So no other peeping tom can find out about your secret texts.
The feature is honestly quite easy to enable. All you need to do is swipe up on the chat to enter vanish mode. This is what most people end up doing accidentally and can’t figure out later why their messages keep disappearing. So if you are stuck in a similar tussle, then let’s see how to disable it.
How to Turn Off Vanish Mode or Disappearing Messages on Instagram
The steps to turn off vanish mode are the same, whether you are on an Android or an iPhone. So, I used my Android device to give you a quick rundown. Take a look:
- Open the Instagram chat that you want to turn on vanish mode for.
- Swipe up in the chat till you see the “Release to turn off disappearing messages” at the bottom.
- As soon as you see this message, release your finger.
Voila! Vanish Mode will be instantly turned off, and the background color will change. Now, whenever you need to turn it on again, just follow the same steps.
Note:
When you turn on vanish mode for a chat, the recipient will be able to see that you have done so, right in the chat. Also, do note that when you apply vanish mode for a chat, it does not apply to all your other chats.
What Happens When You Turn Off Vanish Mode?
Turning off vanish mode or disappearing messages will bring you back to the regular chat experience on the app. Here’s what else you can expect when turning off the feature:
- After turning off vanish mode, all your texts will remain in the chat.
- A message, “You turned off disappearing messages,” will show in the chat for everyone.
- The color of the chat will go back to the regular theme.
- You won’t be able to check whether the other person has taken a screenshot of the chat.
So this is all we have for this quick guide on how to turn off vanish mode on Instagram. In case it isn’t clear already, Vanish Mode has been renamed to disappearing messages, so don’t get confused. I have accidentally turned on the feature a couple of times myself while trying to refresh the chat, so I understand it happens. Gladly, the process to turn it off is as easy as turning it on.
Yes, as soon as you turn on vanish mode for an Instagram chat, not only is that person notified, but the chat background changes as well.
No, vanish mode does not delete those messages that you have sent before turning it on. However, it does delete “seen” messages that you send over when in vanish mode.
Yes, you can take screenshots while you are in Vanish mode on Instagram, but the app will detect it and show a message that “You took a screenshot,” informing the other person in the chat as well.
Since vanish mode allows you to exchange “disappearing” texts, images, videos, and other content with an Instagram chat, they are not stored. Hence, not only does that allow you to maintain chat hygiene, but it also prevents unwanted people from going through your DMs.