How To Send Disappearing Messages on Telegram

Telegram allows you to make certain messages disappear after a while even though it doesn't exactly have a "disappearing message" function that exists as an option directly on the app. This messenger application features the effect in two ways - Secret Chat Mode and Self-destruction Media.

The Secret Chat Mode is end-to-end encrypted and it works for one-on-one chats alone. Basically, a text or file sent within a Secret Chat remains on one device and once you delete the chat, no messages can be retrieved.

Secret Chat Mode involves a timer function that makes sent messages disappear between one second and one week. It also disables your Android from taking screenshots unlike on iOS, but it will notify you in the chat as well.

USING SECRET CHAT MODE ON IOS

Go to the contact's profile that you want to enter a secret chat with. Tap on the "More" option and select "Staff Secret Chat"
Telegram will pop-up a confirmation message about starting the chat. Tap on "Start".
To enable the self-destruct timer in the chat, tap on the clock icon in the text space and choose the period you wish to allow your sent message exist then tap on "Done". You'll see the countdown for that particular message afterwards.

USING SECRET CHAT MODE ON ANDROID

Go to the contact's profile that you want to enter a secret chat with. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top-right edge and select "Start Secret Chat".
A pop-up box would appear asking if you want to proceed. Select "Start" to confirm.
To send disappearing messages enable the self-destruct timer by tapping on the clock icon from the top toolbar. Pick a time frame and tap on "Done". You'll notice that the sent message (text or media file) would disappear automatically after the countdown.

USING SECRET CHAT MODE ON ANDROID

Go to the contact's profile that you want to enter a secret chat with. Tap on the three-dot icon at the top-right edge and select "Start Secret Chat".
A pop-up box would appear asking if you want to proceed. Select "Start" to confirm.
To send disappearing messages enable the self-destruct timer by tapping on the clock icon from the top toolbar. Pick a time frame and tap on "Done". You'll notice that the sent message (text or media file) would disappear automatically after the countdown.

SENDING DISAPPEARING MEDIA FILES TO ANY SINGLE CHAT

In a situation where you don't want to have to start a secret chat you can ordinarily send photos/videos (single chat, not group) that would disappear after a specified time.

For iOS:

First enter the conversation where you want to send the file. Tap on the clip icon close to the text space.
Choose your desired photo or video then tap and hold the send button. Select "Send with Timer" and pick a time frame and send by tapping on the "Send with Timer" option.

For Android:

Open the chat that you want to send the file to. Tap on the clip icon next to the text field and choose your preferred photo or video.
Tap on the clock icon near the send button and pick a time frame. Select "Done" and tap on the send button to send the disappearing content you chose.