How to Turn on and off Vanish Mode on Instagram

Jan. 8, 2024

The steps to turn vanish mode on or off on Instagram is the same, whether you are on an Android or iOS. So, I used my Android device to give you a quick rundown. Take a look:

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.

Now, if you have followed the steps that I have outlined above and are unable to get the feature to work, there’s a reason for that. During my testing, I found out that on the Android version of the Instagram app, I couldn’t turn on vanish mode till a conversation was started with an account.

However, on iOS, I could enable vanish mode even before starting a conversation with an account. This maybe a bug. So, if you are on an Android device and can’t turn on the feature, you probably have to start a conversation first to get it to work.

Also, if your message request or invite to a person hasn’t been accepted, you won’t be able to turn on vanish mode. So, that’s another thing to note. With that being said, do let me know in the comments down below if the feature worked for you as it’s supposed to.

Yes, as soon as you turn on vanish mode for an Instagram chat, not only is that person notified, the chat background changes as well.

No, vanish mode does not delete those messages that you have sent prior to turning it on. However, it does delete “seen” messages that you send over when in vanish mode.

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, it also prevents unwanted people from going through your DMs. However, Instagram’ssupport pagedoes suggest using the mode with those that you trust, as people with malicious intent can use a different device or a camera to capture the images and videos you send as a disappearing message.

Sagnik is a tech aficionado who can never say “no” to dipping his toes into unknown waters of tech or reviewing the latest gadgets. He is also a hardcore gamer, having played everything from Snake Xenzia to Dead Space Remake.