End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a method of secure communication that prevents third parties from accessing data while it’s transferred from one end system to another.
In Facebook Messenger, end-to-end encryption ensures that the messages you send can only be read by you and the recipient.
No one else, including Facebook, hackers, or any other third party, can decipher the content of your encrypted messages.
In this article, we will be discussing how you can easily disable and enable end-to-end encryption in Messenger with ease.
How To Enable/ Turn ON End To End Encryption In Messenger?
To enable or turn on end-to-end encryption in Facebook Messenger, you’ll need to start a “Secret Conversation” with the person you want to message.
For Mobile Devices (iOS And Android):
- Tap on the Messenger app icon on your device to open the app.
- Tap the pencil icon in the top-right corner of the screen to create a new message.
- In the top-right corner of the screen, you’ll see an option that says “Secret.” Tap on it to enable end-to-end encryption for your new conversation.
- Select the person from your contact list that you want to have an encrypted conversation with. If you can’t find them, you can type their name into the search bar at the top.
- Once you’ve selected the recipient, the chat will open. Type your message as usual and send it. The messages you send in this conversation will be end-to-end encrypted.
For Disappearing Messages:
- Follow the steps above to start a Secret Conversation with someone.
- Tap the timer icon (which looks like a clock) in the text box where you type your messages.
- Choose how long you want the message to be visible after the recipient has seen it. Options range from 5 seconds to 1 day.
- After setting the timer, type your message and send it. The message will disappear from the conversation when the timer runs out.
How To Disable/ Turn Off End To End Encryption In Messenger?
Facebook Messenger does not allow users to disable end-to-end encryption for individual Secret Conversations once they have been started.
Secret Conversations are designed to be secure and private, and the end-to-end encryption feature ensures that the messages can only be read by you and the recipient.
However, if you no longer wish to use end-to-end encryption with a contact, you can simply return to the standard messaging format by starting a new, non-secret conversation with them by following the steps below.
- Tap on the Messenger app icon on your device to open the app.
- Tap the pencil icon in the top-right corner of the screen to create a new message.
- Choose the person from your contact list with whom you want to have a non-encrypted conversation.
- Type your message in the chat window and send it. This message will be sent through Messenger’s standard messaging service, which is not end-to-end encrypted.
If you were in a Secret Conversation and want to ensure it’s no longer accessible, you can also delete the Secret Conversation:
- Tap on the conversation that you want to delete.
- Tap the person’s name or the ‘i‘ icon at the top right of the screen to open the conversation details.
- Scroll down and tap ‘Delete Conversation.‘ Confirm when prompted.
Note: By deleting the Secret Conversation, you remove it from your device. Keep in mind that this action does not delete the conversation from the recipient’s device.
