Facebook has recently brought in both Instagram and Facebook direct messages under the Messenger app. With this huge change in the company, Facebook has been updating its Messenger app with new features to appeal to the old as well as the new audiences. Some of these new features include customizable reactions and new chat themes. Out of all these new changes, the one that stands out the most is the brand new “Vanish Mode” feature which is available in both Facebook Messenger as well as the Instagram app.
Many believe that the new vanish mode is Facebook’s take on one of Snapchat’s major features. There has been an on-going feud between these companies for some years. Facebook is also accused to have stolen the daily stories feature from Snapchat as well.
The Facebook and Snapchat War
Back in 2013, when Snapchat was at its peak, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg offered to buy all assets of Snapchat for a total price of $3 billion to boost Facebook’s appeal among the young users. The Snapchat team denied to sell itself to Facebook. Many believe that this led to an ego issue with Zuckerberg and he started to form Instagram and Facebook as direct Snapchat killers.
Since the denial of Snapchat, Facebook has integrated many features within its own app as well as in Instagram. Some of these features include but are not limited to, AI camera filters, daily stories, and now Vanish Mode.
What is Vanish Mode?
The name itself describes what vanish mode is about. It allows you to send messages to your peer that disappear or vanish after a set amount of time. Vanish mode is not only limited to text messages; users can utilize all the features of the Messenger app inside Vanish Mode like sending images, GIFs, stickers, videos, voice messages, and many more. This new mode is designed to delete anything after you’ve seen it. Instagram’s Vanish mode is similar to Messenger’s secret conversation mode.
According to Facebook’s official press release, “we’re excited to introduce vanish mode on Messenger, which lets you send messages that disappear automatically. How it works is simple—messages disappear after they’re seen and you leave the chat.”
The new Vanish Mode has been compared to Snapchat’s ability to remove any messages once they have been seen. This may be Facebook’s way to sabotage Snapchat even more.
How to use Vanish Mode?
- Open the desired chat you want to use Vanish mode in.
- To turn it on, swipe up on the existing chat thread. Vanish mode will be activated.
- Chat with your peer in Vanish mode till you desire.
- To turn it off, swipe up on the chat thread. Vanish mode will be deactivated and you will enter your normal chat mode.