How to Use Vanish Mode on Instagram 2025

If you’re looking for Instagram’s vanish mode feature, it is best if you are worried about being online in your chats. Whether you share confidential data, obscure memes, or important life events, vanishing mode guarantees your messages disappear after being seen. In this guide, I show you how to use vanish mode with minimum effort yet strictly adhere to Instagram’s policies and guidelines.

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What is Vanish Mode on Instagram?

The Instagram message feature, called vanish mode, removes its live answering quickly.

Here are some features of vanish mode:

After viewing messages, they vanish, and when you exit the chat.
You receive a notice if the recipient takes a screenshot.
Users can only send vanish mode messages to accounts you have messaged before.
Some business accounts cannot send or receive vanish mode messages.

The app still does not stop users from saving or forwarding messages in vanish mode but leaves room for bad actors using external devices to capture your messages.

Does Vanish Mode Delete Older Messages?

When you enable vanish mode, older messages will not be affected. You don’t use this feature in regular chats other than putting vanish mode on or off when necessary. After disabling vanish mode, you can resume your normal conversation.

But if you really want to delete older messages permanently, then the unsend feature is handy for individual messages.

How you can turn on Vanish Mode on Instagram

Activating vanish mode is easy and can be used on Android and iOS devices. Here’s how:

Open the Instagram App.
Go to your direct messages.
Open the conversation where you want to turn on anish mode.
Drag your finger up on the chat screen.
To exit vanish mode, swipe-up again.

When vanish mode is enabled or disabled, Instagram will notify both participants.

Note:
Some European countries and Japan may not support vanish mode.
If the feature does not work, you must update the Instagram app from your device’s app store.

How to Report Chats in Vanish Mode

When you are in vanish mode and see inappropriate or harmful content, you can report it to Instagram for review. Messages sent in vanish mode expire from someone’s friend’s list, but they are still encrypted and available for reporting for up to 14 days.

To Report an Individual Message:

Open the chat in vanish mode.
Tap and hold the specific message.
Select Report.
Choose a reason for reporting.
Tap Submit Report.

To Report an Entire Chat:

Open the chat in vanish mode.
Tap the username at the top of the screen.
Select Options and tap Report.
Provide a reason for your report and submit it.

Why Use Vanish Mode?

Vanish mode is ideal for:

Sharing of sensitive information securely.
To prevent screenshots and protect privacy.
Avoiding clutter in your DMs.

But you still need to, you know, keep an eye on your vanish mode responsibly. Instagram has some privacy features, but you can’t trust all the tools. Don’t forget to take care of what you share, even privately.

With Instagram’s vanishing mode, you can get the best of both worlds, protecting your messages while retaining peace of mind. You can also add other privacy tools to create a safer and more enjoyable Instagram experience, like blocking unwanted interactions, untagging yourself from spam posts, and reporting harmful content.

However, staying informed about Insta’s features guarantees your account remains secure and your private conversations stay private.