How to use the secret conversation feature in Facebook Messenger to keep your chats as private as possible

• To create a secret conversation on Messenger, start a new chat and tap the lock icon.
• Messenger's secret conversations are encrypted, meaning not even Facebook can read them.
• Secret conversations are only available in the Messenger mobile app, not the website.

Over the past few years, encrypted messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp have become increasingly popular. Facebook now offers their own encrypted messaging.

Despite Facebook being run by a company not known for its data security, Messenger's "secret conversation" feature makes it safe to chat with friends and colleagues. Secret conversations are protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning that no one outside the chat - not even Facebook - can read what's in the chat.

If you care about privacy and want to use Messenger, secret conversations should be your go-to tool. Here's how to start a secret conversation and customize its settings.

How to create a secret conversation in Messenger

Secret conversations are exclusive to the iPhone, iPad, and Android Messenger apps. You won't find them in the Messenger desktop app or website.

1. Open the Messenger app on your Android or iOS device.

2. Tap the compose message icon in the top-right corner.

3. A list of all your contacts will appear. Here, tap the toggle button - the one with the lock icon - in the top-right corner.

4. Tap on the person who you want to have a secret conversation with.

5. Messenger will open a secret conversation with the person you chose. Once you send them a message, it'll appear on their device.

If you're Facebook friends with the person on the other end of the chat, you can enable disappearing messages as well. These let you put a timer on every message sent, so they'll delete themselves after a short period of time.

1. At the top of the secret conversation, tap the recipient's name.

2. Tap Disappearing Messages.

3. Choose how long you want the messages to last before they disappear.

Additionally, you can report the person you're chatting with, block them, or just delete the chat. To do so, open the options menu again and tap Something's Wrong, Block, or Delete Chat respectively.

How to restore archived and spam conversations

If you want to hide a secret message from your inbox without deleting it, you can archive it instead.

1. Open the Messenger app on your Android or iOS device.

2. Press and hold the secret conversation, and then tap Archive in the menu that appears.

If you decide to continue the archived secret conversation, you can easily unarchive it.

1. Open the Messenger app on your Android or iOS device.

2. Tap on the profile picture icon in the top-left corner of the screen.

3. Tap Archived chats.

4. Press and hold the secret conversation, and then tap Unarchive in the menu that appears to send it back to your inbox. You can also open the chat and send a message to unarchive it.