Unlike Signal, Telegram chats are not end-to-end encrypted. You only get server-side encryption by default. But if you want full encryption, you need to enter a separate secret chat mode. See how to start a secret encrypted chat on Telegram.
What is secret chat on Telegram?
When it comes to security and privacy, Telegram is much better than popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Telegram is open source and all of its code is available online for verification by security experts.
But by default, Telegram offers only server-side encryption. Telegram synchronizes your data (messages, media and groups) between all your devices and uploads them to your servers by default. All data on the Telegram server is encrypted. This means that you are protected against your ISP, interception from the Wi-Fi router and other third parties.
But Telegram itself may still be able to access your data (if they really want to). According to Telegram, its encryption method is the best compromise in terms of features and security. Their large groups, channels and media are backed up and available instantly on all their devices, and are encrypted in the cloud. If you trust Telegram to protect your data, you don’t have to worry.
On the other hand, if you want to encrypt end-to-end where no one (including Telegram) can access your data, you need to enter a separate mode called Secret Chat.
The secret chat mode works only for individual conversations and not for groups (of any size). After entering secret chat mode, Telegram allows for end-to-end encryption. This means that only you and the recipient can read the messages, as they are stored only on your devices and not on Telegram’s servers. No one else can access or decrypt messages, including Telegram.
Messages in the secret chat cannot be forwarded, and if you take a screenshot, the recipient will be notified about it. When you delete a message, it is deleted for both users.
Since secret chat messages are device-specific, they are only available on the device with which you initiate chat. If you leave your current device, you will also lose your secret chat. And as soon as you delete the conversation, all messages in it will also disappear.
Once the secret chat starts, you can chat as usual. Optionally, you can enable a self-destruct timer (like Instagram or WhatsApp), where all messages will disappear after a defined time, once the message has been displayed on the recipient’s screen.
RELATED: How to send messages that disappear on WhatsApp
How to start an encrypted secret chat on the telegram
Now that you understand how the Secret Chat feature works, let’s see it in practice. The steps for iPhone and Android are the same, but the interface is different.
If you’re using an iPhone, tap the contact’s name at the top of a conversation to get started.
Here, tap the “More” button.
In the pop-up, select the option “Start secret chat”.
Select the “Start” button to confirm.
If you’re using an Android smartphone, start by tapping your contact’s name at the beginning of the conversation.
Here, touch the three-point menu button in the upper right corner of the screen.
Now, select the option “Start secret chat”.
In the pop-up window, confirm by tapping the “Start” button.
You have now entered secret chat mode. Secret Chat conversations appear separately in the Telegram chat list, and you can identify Secret Chats using the lock icon next to the user’s name.
Now you can send messages in the chat as you wish.
How to activate self-destruct mode in secret telegram chat
To make your communication even more secure, you can activate a self-destruct feature. As soon as it is activated, all future exchanges will automatically disappear after the set time (as soon as they are displayed on the recipient’s screen).
On your iPhone, tap the stopwatch icon in the text box.
Then, select the self-destruct timer you want to set. You can set it up for a second up to a week. Tap “Done” after selecting the stopwatch.
On your Android smartphone, tap the stopwatch icon on the top toolbar.
Then, select the self-destruct timer and tap the “Done” button to set it.
To disable the stopwatch, tap the stopwatch icon again, choose the “Off” button and tap the “Done” button.
How to exit secret mode in the telegram
As mentioned above, you can have two different conversations with the same person on Telegram. One in standard mode and one in Secret Chat mode.
But if you’ve ended the conversation and want to delete all data and close Secret Chat, you may be perplexed to look for an Exit or Close button. The only way to leave the secret chat is to delete the conversation.
To do this on your iPhone, go to the conversation view on Telegram and swipe left in the conversation.
From here, tap the “Delete” button.
In the pop-up, touch the “Delete chat” button to confirm.
If you’re using an Android smartphone, open Secret Chat and tap the three-dot menu icon on the top toolbar.
Here, choose the “Delete chat” button.
In the pop-up, select the “Delete chat” option.
The secret chat conversation will now be deleted from your device. If you want to send encrypted messages from end to end again, you will have to start Secret Chat again.
If you want to encrypt all your chats and groups from end to end, Signal may be a good option for you. See how Signal compares to Telegram when it comes to privacy and feature set.
RELATED: Signal vs. Telegram: What is the best chat app?