How to View Secret Conversations on Messenger | A Complete Guide
Messenger is one of the well-known messaging applications that is designed by Facebook. Keeping in touch with your favorite people is easy and fun using Messenger.
In 2017, Facebook introduced "Secret Conversations," a feature designed to provide a more private way to chat, by offering end-to-end encryption and disappearing messages. This extra privacy comes in handy when opening sensitive information or just making sure that simple messages stay private.
Surprisingly, many people may not know how to access and view secret conversations on Facebook Messenger. In this guide, we will discuss how to view secret conversations on Messenger.
Part 1. What Are Secret Conversations on Messenger
Secret Conversations is a feature on Facebook Messenger that offers a private way to chat, using end-to-end encryption to ensure that only you and the person you're messaging can read what’s sent. It is indeed an option that most users who really care about privacy will appreciate, since even Facebook itself cannot view those messages.
To start a Secret Conversation, both parties need to install the Messenger app. You can even set a timer for messages to self-destruct, anywhere from 5 seconds to 24 hours, after they’ve been read.
Also, the notification for a new secret message is hidden, so your phone won’t give away who messaged you, just that you received one. However, keep in mind that secret conversations on Messenger allow for only one-on-one discussions and not group messages at the moment.
Some of the important features of secret conversations on Messenger include the following:
- End-to-end encryption: All messages are encrypted from the sender to the receiver and vice versa, meaning the messages are strictly between you and the recipient. This prevents unauthorized access to any communication you make.
- Self-destructing messages: You can opt to set a time limit after which messages will be deleted so they become useless.
- Private notifications: Your locked phone screen will only display "Someone sent you a message," keeping the sender’s identity private.
By using the secret conversations feature on Facebook Messenger, you can be assured that your chats will always remain private. Therefore, you can freely share any sensitive information related to work or any special event that is being organized.
Part 2. How to Enable Secret Conversations on Messenger
Enabling Secret Conversations on Messenger is easy.
Let’s say you’re about to share some sensitive information with a friend—maybe you’re discussing financial details or planning a surprise trip. With secret conversations on Facebook Messenger, you can make sure that only the two of you can see this conversation.
Here's how to begin a secret conversation on Facebook Messenger:
Step 1. Open the Messenger App
Launch the app on your phone.
Step 2. Select the Contact
Tap on the contact you want to confidentially chat with.
Step 3. Go to the Contact’s Profile
Click on his/her name at the upper part of the chat screen or click on the about icon.
Step 4. Start a Secret Conversation
Scroll down and tap ‘Go to secret conversation'.
After completing this step, the chat window will reflect that the ‘End-to-end encryption’ is now turned on, which means that even Facebook cannot read your messages. It is represented by the padlock symbol.
Additionally, you can also place encrypted audio or video calls directly from this secret chat, providing even more protection.
Part 3. How to View Secret Conversations on Messenger of Your Phone
Secret conversations are easy to view in the Messenger app. Here are two methods you can use to achieve it.
Method 1. View secret conversations from chats
This method is perfect if you remember who you were chatting with and want to quickly jump back into that private conversation. it’s the same process for learning how to view secret conversations on Messenger iPhone or Android.
You can easily find your secret chat in the Messenger app by following these steps:
Step 1. Open the Messenger App
Turn the app on your phone.
Step 2. Tap on Chats
Located in the lower-left corner, this tab shows all your conversations.
Step 3. Scroll down or Search for the Contact
If you would want to search for the name of a person you have had a Secret Conversation with, you can enter that person in the search bar. In addition, you may simply scroll through the chat list.
Step 4. Find the chat that has a ‘lock’
Afterward, find the chat that has a ‘lock’ or phrase ‘secret conversation’ beneath which indicates it is a secret conversation chat.
Method 2. View secret conversations by archive feature
Sometimes, you might archive a secret conversation to declutter your chat list, but you can still access these secret chats anytime. Here’s how you can archive and unarchive a secret conversation:
Step 1. Open the Messenger App
Start the app on your phone.
Step 2. Got to the secret conversation
Then tap on his/her name for about two seconds.
Step 3. Click on Archive
This will archive the secret conversation.
Follow these steps to unarchive the secret conversation:
Step 1. Go to Archived Chats
Tap the gear icon that has three dotted lines.
Step 2. Select "Archived chats."
Step 3. Unarchive the Conversation
Find the secret conversation you want to view, and tap on it for more than two seconds.
Step 4. Unarchive it and from there, you can access it just like any other chat.
Part 4. How to View Secret Conversations on Messenger of Someone's Phone
If you’re looking to know how to view secret conversations on Messenger from another phone, you’ll need a reliable tool that can get the job done discreetly. One of the best ways to do that is through Msafely, a monitoring software that does not make itself known to the other people involved.
So if you’re a concerned parent or have another valid reason to monitor someone’s messages, Msafely offers a secure way to do so.
4.1. What is Msafely
Msafely is a monitoring tool that allows you to track various activities on someone’s device without them being aware.
Msafely operates silently in the background, providing you with access to someone's secret conversations on Messenger without them noticing. It runs smoothly even when you use other applications, and there are no alert notifications or indications of the presence of the application.
It is worth noting that another distinctive feature is that Msafely's control panel is updated with encrypted content, making sure your monitoring is both safe and private. It works irrespective of the operating system of the smartphone because it can work with either an Android or an iOS device.
4.2. What other phone activity can Msafely monitor
Msafely is not only limited to the monitoring of Facebook Messenger applications. It offers a wide range of monitoring options that can help you keep tabs on other activities as well:
Msafely gives you the option to monitor all social networks including Facebook Messenger with the opportunity to read private and secret messages.
You will be able to monitor the interactions taking place on a particular phone line whether it be incoming or outgoing messages.
Msafely can show the current position of the device which is helpful to know the location of a person.
Msafely provides a complete list of all the apps on the platform with their associated installation dates, sizes, and application versions.
All the photos and videos available in the target phone can be retrieved hence giving an overall view of the target phone’s media.
Msafely allows you to view all the visited pages on the device, whether or not your browsing history was cleared.
You are able to send and receive email messages with the awareness that all channels of communication are covered.
Msafely records all the Wi-Fi connections that a device has done and shows how and where the phone has been used.
4.3. Steps to use Msafely to monitor someone's Facebook Messenger secretly
Setting up Msafely to monitor someone’s Facebook Messenger is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1. Register a free account
Go to Msafely's site and register a free account with your active email address.
Step 2. Choose the target phone
Indicate if it’s an iPhone monitoring or Android monitoring.
Step 3. Start monitoring
Your Msafely account will automatically take you to the interface of the application for monitoring activities like Facebook Messenger on a particular device.
Part 5. Bonus: How to Start a Secret Video or Audio Call on Messenger
Sometimes, a text just isn’t enough, and you need to have a more personal conversation.
So if you're discussing something sensitive or just prefer to talk face-to-face, Messenger allows you to place encrypted video or audio calls directly from a Secret Conversation. So every one of these calls is as private as your messages; all of the content remains between you and the person on the other end of the line.
So here’s how you make a Secret Video or Audio Call on Messenger:
Step 1. Open the Secret Chat
From your list of Chats, locate and launch the Secret Conversation with the person you want to call. In this case, that can be any of your best friends with whom you wish to share some important information, or it may be the person who is working with you on something of a confidential nature.
Step 2. Tap the Call icon
If you wish to make an audio call then tap the phone icon, otherwise, if you want to make a video call, tap the video camera icon.
It is important to note that a secret call can only be done when both you and the person you are calling have the updated version of the Messenger application. This way, you can have a private conversation without worrying about anyone else listening in when you're discussing personal matters or handling sensitive business talks.
Part 6. FAQs about Viewing Secret Conversations on Messenger
Q1. How do I know if I’m in a Secret Conversation on Messenger?
Look for the lock icon next to the contact’s name and the "end-to-end encryption" message in the chat.
Q2. Will Facebook be able to see my Secret Conversations?
No, Facebook cannot view your Secret Conversations because the content is completely encrypted.
Q3. Does the content of a Secret Conversation on the Messenger app deleted by a user immediately disappear?
Yes, that Secret Conversation is deleted from your device and this action will not change the other person’s chat.
Q4. Can I initiate a group message in Secret Conversations?
Group messaging is impossible. Secret Conversations can only support single chats.
Q5. Will Secret Conversations be visible on Messenger Web?
No, secret conversations are not visible on Messenger Web.
Part 7. Conclusion
Messenger's Secret Conversations feature provides a secure and private way to communicate, making it perfect for times when privacy is crucial.
If you're sharing sensitive work details, planning a surprise, or simply want to keep your conversations confidential, secret conversations will make sure all the messages are hidden. This guide has demonstrated how to view a secret conversation on Messenger by performing very simple steps.
Also remember, if you need to monitor someone else’s Secret Conversations for a legitimate reason, tools like Msafely offer a secret way to do so, helping you stay informed and in control.