Learn to Send Secret Self-Destructing Messages on Viber

Have you heard that Viber has introduced a new feature that gives all its users more privacy? This is what we all want, right? The cross-platform messaging app has added self-destructing messages, allowing users to set time limits for how long a photo or video stays visible in a conversation – and can schedule the entire chat for auto-deletion.

Called Secret Messages, any content set with a timer can only be viewed once by tapping on the blurred image and users on the receiving end are unable to share it with anyone else.

For that to be possible, make sure you’re running the latest version of Viber. I am talking about v 6.6.0.888 on Android. If you try to send a secret message to someone who isn’t running the latest version of Viber, then there is also a problem. To be more precise, you will most likely see a prompt telling you it isn’t possible to send the message. You can, instead, send a message to your contact asking them to update their app and then, sending Self-Destructing Messages becomes a piece of cake:

Learn to Send Secret Self-Destructing Messages on Viber:

1. First of all, open Viber;
2. You will see a ‘New secret chat’ button at the top of the ‘Select Contacts’ screen, just below the search bar. Tap it;
3. The Select Contacts screen will change from Viber’s signature purple to grey and you must choose contact to send a secret message to;
4. Start typing a message right away;
5. If there is no self-destruct timer, Viber will add one automatically. The default self-destruct timer is set for one minute;
6. To set a custom timer, tap the stopwatch button next to the text input box. It is up to you to choose how long the image or video should be visible after it has been opened. You can set it to 1, 3, 7, and 10 seconds. Images and videos that are set to self destruct will have a stopwatch icon on them;
7. Your recipient will not see a preview of the image. Instead, the self destructing message will appear as a box with ‘Wink’ written on it. Your recipient will tap this box to open the image. Once the image opens, a timer starts at the top right corner to let them know how long they have to view the message.

So, you can basically type and send a message like you would in a normal chat. You can send pictures, stickers, as well as videos over a secret chat thread and your data is safe. If you ever need to share sensitive information, this is now a great way to do it!

I have also heard that Viber plans to introduce something similar to Snapchat stories, but this might take time. We should better enjoy what we have now, don’t you think?

Also read this guide on How to Install Viber on any Android Tablet because there is no such a thing as too late.