In other words, setting a default timer makes it easy to keep messages organized without having to manually go through every chat and make sure each one is set to disappear after an appropriate time.

One of the benefits of the feature is the greater ability to manage the amount of space taken up by messages and sent on the app. The new feature lets users set timers as long as four weeks, or as short as 30 seconds, and using a custom timer can make messages disappear even faster. However, it is possible to set a default timer that applies to all new conversations, letting the user set a time and not worry about micromanaging every chat. Previously, users would have to toggle the option on and set a time for each conversation. Signal users can now make messages and entire chats disappear after a chosen amount of time by default.

Related: How 1000s Of Signal Users Downloaded The App Without Meaning To With its newest addition, Signal is continuing to provide users with tools to customize how private their experience on the app is. Signal features several features to help users manage who can contact them at any time and manage private video calls. I look forward to seeing more unique and valuable features from the app in the future.Signal’s own recent rise in popularity can be partly attributed to the controversy surrounding WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update and subsequent walk-backs, as well as endorsements from public figures like Elon Musk and Edward Snowden. They continue to develop features that further enhance users’ privacy and security and give users more control over the information they choose to share. Signal has impressed users with their attention to privacy and security issues since they first launched their app.

This option is available for all Signal versions 5.19.4 on Android devices. The time range that you can choose is between four weeks and 30 seconds. Here you can set the default timer to your choice. Scroll down to the ‘Disappearing Messages’ option and tap on it to open the settings. Navigate to manage ‘Settings’, and tap on the ‘Privacy’ option. In order to use the message timer, you will have to activate it from within the settings of the app. To date, both major competitors, Telegram and WhatsApp, have disappearing messages to some degree neither have given users the option to set them as a default.

This feature also gives Signal an additional security boost above its competitors.

Disappearing messages in signal