How to use secret chat in telegram
How to send Telegram secret messages: Check out the Secret Chat feature
Home How To How to send Telegram secret messages: Check out the Secret Chat feature
Want to send Telegram secret messages? You can do so via the Telegram Secret Chat feature. Here is how to enable it.
Have you used Telegram yet? Telegram is as an alternative to WhatsApp and has many features that are simply astounding. The application can be used to send messages, calls, pictures, files, and more. Telegram also offers several features like secret chat feature to provide additional safety to users. According to Telegram, secret chats are meant for people who want more secrecy than the average person. All messages in secret chats use end-to-end encryption which means only you and the recipient can read those messages. On top of this, Messages cannot be forwarded to anyone by the recipient from secret chats. And when you delete messages on your side of the conversation, the app on the other side of the secret chat will be deleted as well.
Sounds interesting right? But there is a lot more to secret chats feature. You can also set self-destruct times for media files on the app. You can order your messages, photos, videos and files to self-destruct in a set amount of time after they have been read or opened by the recipient. The message will then disappear from both your and your friend's devices.
How self-destructing messages work
The Self-Destruct Timer is available for all messages in Secret Chats and for media in private cloud chats. To set the timer, you simply need to tap the clock icon (in the input field on iOS, top bar on Android), and then choose the desired time limit.
The clock starts ticking the moment the message is displayed on the recipient's screen (gets two check marks). As soon as the time runs out, the message disappears from both devices. Also, the timer in Secret Chats only applies to messages that were sent after the timer was set. It has no effect on earlier messages.
If you are new to Telegram and want to know how you can use the Secret Chats feature, then here is all you need to do.
How to start a secret chat
| Time | Tools | Supplies |
| 5 Minutes |
| Internet |
Step 1:
First you need to download the Telegram App on your smartphone. Android users can do so from Google Play Store while iPhone users can visit Apple App Store for the same.
Step 2:
Then open the application and create your account.
Step 3:
Open the profile of the user you want to contact then tap on the icon with three dots ‘…’.
Step 4:
Now, select ‘Start Secret Chat’.
Step 5:
It can be noted that Telegram secret chats are device-specific.
If you start a secret chat with a friend on one of your devices, this chat will only be available on that device. If you log out, you will lose all your secret chats. You can create as many different secret chats with the same contact as you like.
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First Published Date: 10 Mar, 12:15 IST
Tags: telegram apps guide
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How to create a secret chat on Telegram and turn on end-to-end encryption
Home How To How to create a secret chat on Telegram and turn on end-to-end encryption
While Telegram has better privacy features in place as compared to WhatsApp, the end-to-end encryption is not a default option and needs to be turned on.
There is also a way to create a secret chat on the app.
With the whole privacy and user data security debate raging thanks to WhatApp's new privacy policy, many users have picked either Telegram or Signal to move to for messages instead. Now, both Telegram and Signal do come with better privacy features than WhatsApp and both apps also collect lesser user data as compared to the Facebook-owned app.
We've already told you why you might want to opt for Signal, today we are going to tell you how to turn on end-to-end encryption for Telegram and how to start a secret chat on it.
Also Read: Top 6 reasons to pick Signal if you want to want to quit WhatsApp
For starters, end-to-end encryption (e2e) is not a default feature in Telegram. Cloud chats, what Telegram calls its standard chats, are not end-to-end encrypted. So if you don't turn e2e on, Telegram has access to metadata (who you wrote to, how often, when etc) and also the content of these chats.
Telegram has said that it does not use this data for advertising but you never know when that can change.
How to create a secret chat in Telegram
Telegram does have end-to-end encryption, you just need to enable it. Telegram calls with end-to-end encryption turned on are called Secret chats.
- To create a secret chat open the profile of the person you want to start the chat with.
- Click on the icon with the three dots just below the person's profile photo.
- Select “Start Secret Chat”.
This opens a chat where end-to-end encryption is applied to messages, you will see a notification mentioning that appear in the chat window at the start.
You can also set the time after which messages in this secret chat will be deleted by tapping or clicking the clock icon in the message input box.
The automatic deletion of messages doesn't prevent your chat partner from taking screenshots, but if they do, you will be notified about it in the chat.
There is one exception here though, if the other person is using the macOS app you won't get a notification of a screenshot.
Telegram allows multiple secret chats with the same person and also Group chats cannot be secret.
How to know if a chat is end-to-end encrypted?
You will need to check for the padlock icon.
Since Telegram chats can be either cloud (normal chats) or secret, it is important to know which type you are using. On Telegram end-to-end encrypted chats look almost identical to regular ones. So to confirm which kind you're in, look for a padlock icon next to the name or phone number of your chat partner. If it's there, the chat is secret.
If not, then end-to-end encryption is off, in which case you should create a new chat.
You can also tap or click your chat partner's icon, and if end-to-end encryption is enabled, the words Encryption Key will appear at the bottom of the window that opens.
Important things to note
Secret chats disappear when you log out of or delete the Telegram app.
Secret chats are available in Telegram's iOS, Android, and macOS apps. The Web version and Windows app do not support secret chats as they cannot ensure secure storage of chats on the device.
Normal chats on Telegram are not end-to-end encrypted.
Follow HT Tech for the latest tech news and reviews , also keep up with us on Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
First Published Date: 22 Jan, 17:16 IST
Tags: telegram signal whatsapp
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Secret chat in Telegram - what is it and how does it work
Telegram.
.. How much it began to mean to users! People trust the messenger with all the most secret and intimate and believe that their correspondence will not get anywhere. If you have not yet thought about promoting your business in Telegram, then we recommend that you think about it, especially since we can help you with this.
If you don’t go deep, Cart is a reliable and fairly easy-to-use messenger. All messages are encrypted, and encryption keys are not shared with third parties, which is why Telegram is so loved by scammers, drug addicts, and other persons with low social responsibility. But not by them alone. For most users, it is very important to keep all the confidentiality of their correspondence. nine0003
Encryption of standard chats is enough for most users, but some want even more guarantees that no one will see their correspondence, and that after a while there will be no trace of it.
Especially for such people, “secret chats” have been added to the Cart. They are created only through a mobile application (that is, it cannot be created through the desktop version) and directly connect two interlocutors.
Correspondence is securely encrypted, and only the participants in the correspondence have access to it. That is, even Telegram employees theoretically cannot read these messages. nine0003
How to create a secret chat in Telegram
To start a secret chat in Telegram, you need to meet only one condition: the interlocutor must be online .
Select an interlocutor from the list of contacts.
Go to the main chat with him and click on the contact icon.
Next, click on the three dots and select "Start Secret Chat".
Next, confirm the creation of the chat.
Immediately pay attention to the padlock next to the name of the interlocutor - this is the secret chat icon.
This is how the secret chat looks in the chat list. Green font with a padlock.
After the interlocutor has answered you, you can set up auto-destruction of messages. To do this, in the chat window, click on the timer and select the time range from 1 second to 1 week.
Set the timer to 30 seconds.
Now, after reading any message, it will be deleted after a certain range of time. nine0003
We took a screenshot in the chat window, and we and the interlocutor immediately received a message about the corresponding action.
If you go to the application manager with the chat window open from the iPhone, then all the contents are blurred.
So, the secret chat is created and now we are guaranteed the following:
- End-to-end (end-to-end) encryption
- No trace on servers
- Deletion by timer
- Forbidden
That is, now all correspondence is literally in our hands and no one except the creator of the chat and the interlocutor has access to it.
Features of a secret chat in Telegram
Now let's take a look at everything separately.
- End-to-end encryption is a data transmission method in which only users who are in a chat have access to its content.
Access to third parties is prohibited. Theoretically, this guarantees complete anonymity and security for the participants in the correspondence. And if practically, then no one has yet been able to hack a single message from the secret chat . - No trace on servers. Telegram does not collect any data about correspondence, everything is strictly confidential.
- Deletion by timer. is an interesting solution for those who are still afraid of leaking information (in case the phone falls into the wrong hands). Let's assume that we set auto-delete for one minute. We write a message in the chat and wait for the interlocutor to read it. And only then the timer starts to work. The interlocutor will have exactly one minute to read and digest the information in the chat, then the message is deleted without a trace, including the message on the sender's device. nine0064
- Forbidden. Your messages are only your messages.
Nothing can be sent to open chats.
Some more features:
- The other party can cancel the secret chat. Then this chat will become normal, and all information will be encrypted as usual.
- Unhidden screenshots - if you take a screenshot while in a secret chat, the interlocutor will receive a corresponding notification. nine0063 If you log out of your account and do not close the chat, it will be automatically deleted.
- Secret Chat is only available on the device it was created on and nowhere else.
- You can create an unlimited number of secret chats with one user.
- Impossibility to restore correspondence - if a message is deleted, it is deleted from everyone and forever.
Differences between a regular chat in Telegram and a secret one
The main difference is a different encryption method. if in a regular chat the order of transmission is this: client-server-client, then in a secret chat it is like this - client-client.
Also:
- Unable to forward messages
- Unable to continue chatting on another device
- Inability to pin messages in the conversation header
- Unable to change sent message
Inability to delete a message only for yourself
How to delete a secret chat in Telegram
If you no longer need a secret chat, you can always delete it. To do this, swipe left in the contact field, select "delete" and confirm the action. nine0003
If you change your mind, you only have 5 seconds to undo the action.
Benefits of Telegram Secret Chat for Business
Secret Chats are ideal for business owners. Important contracts and documents are recommended to be sent using this method in order to prevent information leakage to third parties. Moreover, the correspondence is stored only on the devices of the interlocutors, so data leakage is excluded.
Who can recommend a secret chat in Telegram:
- Realtors .
After all, every day a huge amount of papers with personal data and customer accounts are sent to him. - Developers, content creators and designers . That is, hard workers who are afraid of losing the fruits of their intellectual labors or seeing their idea implemented by competitors.
- Website owners, moderators and administrators . It is better to send access to advertising accounts, as well as to the "admin panel" of your site in encrypted form in a secret Telegram chat. nine0064
- For businessmen and entrepreneurs . Every day, businessmen conduct a lot of business correspondence, so we recommend exchanging confidential information and important documents through a secret chat.
Conclusion
Secret Chat secures chat data quite well, but it is not a security panacea. After all, third parties can take possession of the device, and it’s not a fact that the device itself has reliable protection.
Also, starting a secret chat, you need to remember that all actions performed in it are irrevocable and fixed. There is no need to take a screenshot of something secret, because the interlocutor will certainly know about it. Also, you do not need to set a self-destruction timer for messages if you are not sure that the correspondence may still be needed. It is important to remember about safety, this is where great things start! nine0003
By the way, if you plan to promote in Telegram, but don't know how to do it, we are ready to help you! Contact us, we will find your customers from 700 million users!
Secret chat in Telegram: how to create, who needs it and why
Pavel Durov has always positioned his messenger as very reliable. All data is encrypted, it is difficult to hack it, and even Roskomnadzor itself could not block TG.
One of the features of Telegram is the ability to create secret chats. That is, you can make communication in the messenger even more confidential.
nine0003
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In this article we will tell you what is the difference between secret chats and regular correspondence in Telegram. Who needs secret chats, what is their secrecy and how to create such a chat.
Read also: 14 ways to promote a Telegram channel from scratch
What is a secret chat in Telegram
A secret chat is created between two devices - yours and your interlocutor. Such correspondence cannot be intercepted and decrypted. nine0003
To make it clearer what we are talking about, we list the features of such chats.
What are the features of a secret chat in Telegram?
Timer important: timer works with both messages and files.
It starts working from the moment of installation on all subsequent messages. It does not affect sent messages before the timer is set (that is, they will have to be deleted manually). The auto-destruct feature is also available in regular Telegram conversations.
Interesting fact: Pavel Durov offered $200,000 to someone who could hack into a Telegram message explaining the hacking method. One of the vulnerabilities was found by a Russian programmer. But since the correspondence itself was never hacked, he received only part of the prize - $ 100,000.
This is interesting: How to make money in Telegram
Who needs secret chats
Secret chat is useful to any person who is worried about the safety of data during communication. For example, you can create chats between company employees to protect business or customer data from leakage. You can use chats for personal communication with friends or relatives.
You can conduct important negotiations with partners. nine0003
How to create a secret chat in Telegram: step-by-step instructions
You can create a secret chat only from your phone or tablet - the function is not yet available for desktop. The second important point is that the interlocutor must be online.
Step 1. Open the Telegram application on your mobile device. Click on the pencil icon - it allows you to start a correspondence.
Step 2. In the window that opens, click on the "Create Secret Chat" item.
Step 3. Choose who to correspond with.
P.S. If the interlocutor is not online, the chat will say "We are waiting for **the name of the interlocutor** to appear online."
Step 4. The welcome window shows us that this is a secret chat. Opposite the name of the interlocutor, a lock and a clock sign are visible.
P.S. Please note that as soon as a screenshot is taken, a notification about it appears in the dialog box. The same notification will appear if the screen is made by the interlocutor. nine0015
Step 5. If necessary, set the timer to automatically delete messages. It is disabled by default. Click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner to bring up the chat menu. Click "Enable timer deletion".
You can select an interval from one second to one week.
After setting the timer, a notification will appear in the chat window. A circle will also appear opposite the name of the interlocutor with the number of set seconds, minutes or days. In the example, the timer is set to 10 seconds. nine0003
The timer can be disabled. Then messages after the timer is set and before it is turned off will be deleted, and new ones (after the timer is turned off) will no longer exist. To turn off the timer, you need to go back to the menu, click "Enable timer deletion" and find the "Off" option in the list of the time range.
Step 6. Write the first message in the chat.
An important point - if you send links, then when you turn on their preview, they are saved on the server. That is, it is no longer as confidential as without a preview. The corresponding warning is shown when you try to send a link to the chat. You can agree to preview links or cancel it, then the links will be unclickable. nine0003
Let's try to forward the message to another chat. Hold it down until an additional menu appears. In a regular chat there is a "Forward" button, but in a closed one it is inactive (button on the right). Only the "Reply" button is active.
The same will happen when you try to send a photo, video or any file.
By the way, in the secret chat you can not only correspond, but also call up. There are regular and video calls. To make a call, you need to go to the chat menu and select the appropriate menu item. Logically, calls within a private chat should also be encrypted.
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Step 7. If you wish, you can delete the chat history manually. To do this, go back to the menu and select "Clear History".
Important: if in regular correspondence you can choose how to delete the history - only you or the interlocutor too, then there is no such choice in the hidden chat. The history is deleted immediately for both interlocutors.
Step 8. Find the chat in the general list of dialogs. In a secret chat, the name of the interlocutor is highlighted in green and a padlock is drawn next to it. The example clearly shows how the secret chat differs from the usual dialogue with the same person. These are two different messages. nine0003
Step 9. Delete the chat itself. It can be removed from the general chat list or inside a secret chat. To remove from the general list, hold the chat until the toolbar appears on top. Find the trash icon and click on it.
To delete a chat from the inside, open its menu and click on the "Delete chat" button.
Important: if the chat history disappears when deleting two interlocutors, then when deleting the chat itself, you must additionally specify for whom to delete it - only for you or for the interlocutor too. If you do not check the box next to the name of the interlocutor, your chat will be deleted, and the interlocutor will hang in the list of all chats. nine0015
*If you log out of your Telegram account, the secret chat will be deleted automatically.
At the beginning of the section, we wrote that a chat can only be created on a mobile device. You can also see it only on a mobile device. That is, if you have a hidden chat with a person, he has Telegram on his phone and on his computer, then on the computer he will not see the chat and will not know about it until he enters the phone. No notifications come to the desktop, it is also not displayed in the chat list on the PC.
