Telegram Secret Chat: What Is It? How to Use?

Elsa Updated on Sep 18, 2025 Filed to: Parent Control

Ever wanted a more private way to chat on Telegram? That's where the Secret Chat feature comes in. Unlike regular Telegram conversations, secret chats are end-to-end encrypted and come with extra privacy features.

In this guide, we'll explain what Telegram Secret Chat is, why it's different from normal chats, and show you step by step how to use it.

What Is Telegram Secret Chat?

Telegram Secret Chat is a conversation with various security features that are not available in normal chats. Key features include:

  • End-to-End Encryption: Only you and the recipient can read the messages; not even Telegram can access them.
  • Device-specific: Secret chats only stay on the devices where they're created and don't sync to Telegram cloud or across your other linked devices.
  • Self-Destruct Messages: You can set messages to automatically delete for both participants after a chosen time (from 1 second to 1 week).
  • No Forwarding: You cannot forward messages from a secret chat to another chat.
  • Screenshot Prevention: On Android devices, taking screenshots of secret chat is disabled; while on iPhone, a notification will be sent to the chat, and the screenshot will appear blank.

How to Start a Secret Chat on Telegram?

Starting a Telegram secret chat is very simple! But note that this feature is available only on phones, not the desktop devices. Here's how to start a secret chat on Telegram:

  1. Step 1: Open the chat with the contact you want to start secret chat.
  2. Step 2: Tap on the profile at the top.
  3. Step 3: Tap the "More" button (the three dots icon).
  4. Step 4: Select "Start Secret Chat" from the menu.
  5. start secret chat on Telegram of Android

  6. Step 5: A new chat will be created with a lock icon next to it.

Tips: Sending Self-Destruct Messages or Photos in Secret Chat

  • After creating a secret chat on Telegram, you can set a self-destruct timer for messages so that they can be remove from both devices after a set duration.
  • To set self-destruct timer, click the stopwatch icon in the secret chat bar, choose the timer (1s–1 week), and tap "Done."
  • Then, the timer starts when the recipient opens the message.
  • Timer clock icon on Telegram

How to Remove Secret Chat in Telegram?

Secret chats are great for private conversations, but sometimes you may want to clear them out once you no longer need them or to enhance your privacy. This time, you can delete secret chat in Telegram with great ease.

For Android

  1. Step 1: Open Telegram and "long-press the Secret Chat" you want to remove.
  2. Step 2: Tap the "trash bin" icon.
  3. Step 3: Confirm by choosing whether to delete just for yourself or for both sides.
  4. delete Telegram secret chat on Android

If you choose "Delete for yourself," the other person will still access the secret chat, but they won't be able to continue the conversation. If it is deleted for both sides, then the secret chat will vanish from the both parties' chat lists immediately.

For iOS

  1. Step 1: Locate the Secret Chat in your chat list.
  2. Step 2: Swipe left on the chat and tap "Delete."
  3. Step 3: Choose whether it is deleted for you or for both participants.

Is Telegram Secret Chat Really Safe?

In terms of privacy and encryption, the Telegram secret chat is safe as only the sender and receiver can view the content of the messages.

However, the secret chat feature is unsafe for kids and teens as they are exposed to extremist groups, online child predators, and inappropriate content.

Moreover, its self-destruct messages make it hard for parents to know if their children are bullied, track evidence of that and spot potential dangers.

Therefore, parents need to keep a stringent check on kids using the secret chat feature on Telegram. At this moment, AirDroid Parental Control comes to help! With it, parents can get instand alerts when harmful conversations appear in their child's Telegram chats.

AirDroid Telegram Monitor

   

FAQs about Telegram Secret Chat

Q1. How Long Does Telegram Secret Chat Last?
Elsa
Elsa
Telegram secret chat option for a particular contact last as long you do not cancel or delete the secret chat. The secret chat feature will not be disabled automatically after it is activated with a contact. The secret chat can be disabled manually only.
Q2. Can You Screenshot Telegram Secret Chat?
Elsa
Elsa
If you are using an Android device, you'll see "Can't take screenshots due to security policy" when you try to capture the secret chat. And if you're an iOS user, screenshot is allowed in secret chat, but a notification will be sent.
Q3. Can Telegram Secret Chat Be Recovered?
Elsa
Elsa
No, you cannot recover the secret chat on Telegram. Normal chat data are stored on Telegram's cloud system (server). Therefore, they can be recovered. In contrast, the data of secret chats on Telegram is not stored on the server. Hence, they cannot be recovered.
Q4. How to Know If It's a Secret Chat on Telegram?
Elsa
Elsa
A secret chat always shows a lock symbol next to the contact's name in the chat header. So, if you notice that icon, it means it's a secret chat.
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Elsa
Elsa
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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