The Telegram app is a good alternative to WhatsApp. However, not all messages in Telegram are end-to-end encrypted, only the so-called secret chats. Secret chats are specially secured and cannot be viewed by anyone but the two participants. All secret chats in the Telegram are device-specific and do not belong to the Telegram cloud. This means that you can only access messages in a secret chat from their original device.
Create secret chat in Telegram
It is important that both participants in the secret chat have the latest version of Telegram installed. Otherwise the secret chat will not work. In the following we explain how to set up a secret chat on the iPhone and on Android smartphones .
On the iPhone
- Open a chat that you want to use as a secret chat and tap the profile picture in the upper right corner .
- Tap the three dots labeled “ More ” and then tap “ Start Secret Chat ”.
- The other participant must confirm receipt of the message before the secret chat can take place properly.
On Android devices
- Open the chat list and press the pencil icon to write a new message.
- Tap " New Secret Chat ". Select a recipient and write a message to them.
- After the other participant has confirmed receipt of the message, the secret chat is active and can be used by both of you.
Tip : If you are unsure whether your chat is actually secured, you can compare "secret keys". This is a code that varies for each secret chat. Tap the other chat participant's profile picture and press "Secret Key". Now you can compare the secret key of your chat partner with your own key. If they are identical, the chat is safe..
Time limit messages
In addition to end-to-end encryption, the secret chats have implemented another security aspect. You can set messages to be available only for a certain time . On iOS devices you have to tap on the stopwatch in the text field in the chat . For Android devices, select the profile picture above in the chat . Now you can set how long the message should be displayed after the recipient has read it under " Self-destruct timer ". You should keep in mind that the timer does not start until the message has been read.