Facebook Messenger has a feature where messages can automatically disappear or “self-destruct” after a set period of time. This can be useful if you want your messages to be temporary and not saved forever, but it can also be annoying if you prefer to keep a record of conversations. Here are some tips on how to stop Facebook Messenger from making your messages disappear.
Understanding Disappearing Messages in Messenger
– Disappearing messages are called “Vanish mode” in Messenger.
– They are designed so that messages disappear after the recipient has seen them.
– You can turn on Vanish mode for specific conversations by swiping up in the Messenger app.
– Once enabled, messages will disappear after they have been seen by all recipients in the chat.
– Messages also won’t appear in your message history or notifications.
– Disappearing messages can help keep conversations more private, temporary and off-the-record.
Reasons You May Want to Disable Disappearing Messages
There are some valid reasons why you may want to stop messages from disappearing in Messenger:
– You want to keep a record of conversations for future reference.
– You don’t like not having a message history to look back on.
– You find it inconvenient when messages disappear before you’ve had a chance to properly read them.
– You want messages to remain accessible in case they contain important information you need to refer back to.
– You’d rather manually delete messages than have them automatically disappear.
– You don’t like feeling rushed to read messages or reply before they vanish.
– You want the ability to quote or reply to previous messages that have disappeared.
How to Stop Disappearing Messages in Messenger
If having your Facebook messages self-destruct is not your preference, here are a few straightforward ways to disable disappearing messages:
Turn Off Vanish Mode for a Specific Chat
– Open the Messenger conversation where you have enabled vanishing messages.
– Swipe up from the bottom of the chat window.
– Tap “Turn Off Vanish Mode”.
– This will disable disappear messages for that conversation only. Messages will now remain in your chat history.
Disable as Your Default Message Setting
You can also stop disappearing messages from being turned on for new Messenger conversations:
– Open the Menu tab in the Messenger app and tap your profile photo.
– Go to Preferences.
– Tap Default Message Setting.
– Choose “Off” instead of “Vanish Mode”.
– This will make standard messages your default for new chats moving forward.
Turn Off Vanish Mode in Your Account Settings
Another option is to turn off the capability to send disappearing messages completely:
– In the Messenger app, go to your profile and tap on your photo.
– Go to the Privacy settings.
– Tap on Vanish Mode.
– Toggle the slider off to disable vanishing messages at the account level.
What Happens When You Turn Off Disappearing Messages
When you turn off vanishing messages through any of the above methods, here is what will happen:
– Messages you previously sent with Vanish mode on will remain disappeared and deleted. They cannot be recovered.
– New messages will now have a history and be saved permanently, or until you manually delete chats.
– You’ll be able to view past messages and quotes again, except for those sent when Vanish mode was enabled.
– The swipe up Vanish mode option will disappear when you go to send a new message.
– You will see a record of new messages in your notifications and message requests again.
– The “Vanish Mode” setting will show as off/disabled when you view your message settings.
– You can still enable disappearing messages again in the future for certain conversations if you want. Simply turn Vanish mode on again through the swipe up menu.
So in summary, any existing disappeared messages cannot be retrieved, but disabling the feature will prevent new messages from automatically deleting going forward in conversations.
Troubleshooting Issues with Disappearing Messages
In some cases, you may run into problems when trying to disable vanishing messages in Messenger. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Messages Keep Disappearing After Turning Off Vanish Mode
– Double check that you fully toggled off Vanish mode in your chat, account settings, and default message preferences.
– Force quit and restart the Messenger mobile app to refresh settings.
– Ensure the person you’re messaging has also turned off Vanish mode on their end.
– Give it some time and send a few test messages. Disappearing messages may take a bit to disable.
Can’t Find Vanish Mode Settings
– Update to the latest version of the Messenger app.
– Swipe up from the bottom of the chat window to reveal the menu for enabling Vanish mode.
– Go to your profile, privacy settings and preferences to locate the global toggle.
– Make sure your app has all the latest features enabled.
Disappeared Messages Reappear
– If a vanished message comes back, it’s likely because the other person took a screenshot before it disappeared.
– Or, they may have copied the text and pasted it into a new message.
– There is no way to make previously vanished messages disappear again.
– To avoid this issue, ask the other person not to screenshot or copy/paste messages enabled with Vanish mode.
Can’t Send Normal Messages
– If Vanish mode gets stuck on, first make sure you disable it in your chat settings, account settings, and preferences.
– Force close and relaunch Messenger to refresh the app.
– Try uninstalling and reinstalling the Messenger app if issues persist.
– Contact Facebook support if no messages will send without disappearing.
How to Use Facebook Messenger Responsibly
While disappearing messages can seem like a fun feature, it’s also important to use Messenger responsibly:
– Don’t rely on vanishing messages for truly private, sensitive or illegal conversations. Messages can always be screenshotted or copied before they disappear.
– Think carefully before enabling Vanish mode, as you lose your message history and record.
– Let friends and family know if you have enabled disappearing messages, so they aren’t confused if their messages vanish.
– Avoid turning on vanish mode in important conversations where you may need to reference back to previous messages and details.
– Keep in mind messages may take a few seconds to disappear after being seen, so don’t assume they vanish instantly.
– Remember that disappearing on your end does not guarantee others have not saved your messages somehow.
– Be thoughtful about which conversations really require extra privacy or temporary messages.
Other Facebook Messenger Tips and Tricks
In addition to controlling disappearing messages, here are some other useful Facebook Messenger features to try out:
Pin Your Favorites
Pin up to 9 friends or groups to the top of your messages list for quick access.
Add Fun Effects
Liven up chats with text effects, stickers, GIFs and personalized reactions.
Enable Dark Mode
Switch on Dark mode for an easier-on-the-eyes Messenger experience.
Set Nicknames
Change nicknames your friends see instead of your full name.
Search Messages
Easily search through your message history to find specific conversations.
Customize Notifications
Adjust notification settings so Messenger pings you only when important.
Use Messenger Across Devices
Seamlessly continue chats between your phone, desktop and other devices.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Add an extra layer of security to your Facebook and Messenger account.
Conclusion
Facebook Messenger’s disappearing messages can be fun and useful in some cases. However, if you prefer keeping a record of your conversations, it’s quick and easy to disable vanishing messages on both mobile and desktop. Simply swipe up in your chat, change your default message setting, or turn off Vanish mode in your account privacy settings. Be responsible when using self-destructing messages, and take advantage of Messenger’s other convenient features. With a few taps, you can stop messages from disappearing and carry on messaging freely.