Introduction
Shrink what stays on devices — by design.
Disappearing messages is a chat timer for new messages. Either person can turn it on, change it, or turn it off — no mutual approve required. The countdown starts when the message is sent, so history clears on a schedule you chose.
We do not sell your chats. Disappearing timers reduce device residue after delivery — they are not a magic shield against every screenshot or another camera.
Why Buzzio is best for disappearing chats
Send-time expiry
TTL is stamped when you send — not when someone opens the bubble later.
Either side can change it
Turn on, change timer, or turn off without waiting for the other person to approve.
Clear presets
1:1 chats use 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days — or Off. Groups can add shorter options.
Keep when needed
Either side can Keep a disappearing message so it stays until unkept — an honest exception, not a silent leak.
Default for new chats
Set Privacy → Default message timer so new 1:1s start with your preferred countdown.
Media gallery off
While disappearing is on, media visibility is forced off so media does not auto-save to the gallery.
What you get
- 24h / 7d / 90d
- Off anytime
- Send-time countdown
- Keep / unkeep
- In-chat banner
- Change timer
- Default for new 1:1s
- Shorter group timers
- No gallery auto-save
How it works
How to enable
Open contact info
In a chat, open the contact or chat info screen and choose Disappearing messages.
Pick a timer
Choose 24 hours, 7 days, 90 days, or Off. A system banner appears in the chat.
Or change from the banner
Tap Change timer on the in-chat notice when you want a different duration.
Send as usual
New messages while the timer is on carry their expiry. Older messages already in the thread stay.
Timers
In 1:1 chats the presets are 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days (plus Off). Messages sent while the timer is on keep that expiry even if you later turn disappearing off. E2E groups can also offer shorter options such as 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 5 minutes — and Advanced security may limit who can change the timer to admins.
Keep a message
Either person can Keep a disappearing message so it is exempt until unkept. That is intentional — useful for an address or decision you both need — and visible as kept, not a hidden bypass.
Default message timer
Under Privacy → Default message timer you can set a preferred countdown for new 1:1 chats only. When both sides have defaults, the shorter one wins. Existing chats keep whatever timer you already set there.
Boundaries
Disappearing vs Once-view
Disappearing messages
- Countdown from send time
- 24h / 7d / 90d (1:1)
- Keep allowed
- Longer residue shrink
Once-view
- Clears after seen
- Seconds to minutes
- Stronger on-screen capture hardening
- Swipe up to toggle
Also not Vanish / Secure Mode (short mutual after-seen), and not Stories’ 24-hour expiry.
What disappearing does not mean
Turning the timer on does not rewrite older messages. Screenshots, screen recording, and another camera can still capture what is on screen. Kept messages stay until unkept. And disappearing is a retention control — not Tor-grade anonymity.
Tips
- Set a default timer if most new 1:1s should shrink history
- Use Keep sparingly for things both of you must retain
- Use Once-view when you want after-seen, short-lived messages
- Remember: timer applies to new messages, not the whole past thread
Ready to clear chats on a timer?
Download Buzzio, open a chat’s disappearing settings, and pick 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.