Overview

Exploding messages have become a staple in modern messaging apps, offering users more control over their privacy. From WhatsApp to Signal, Instagram to Snapchat nearly every major platform has embraced this feature—except the one I use daily: iMessage. As someone who utilizes disappearing messages, the absence of this in iMessage feels like a major oversight. Apple, wtf, it's time to catch up.

Solution

Integrating a built-in self-destructing message feature in iMessage, allowing users to send texts that automatically disappear after a set time.

• Custom Expiry Options: Users can choose view once, 5 min, 1 hour, 24 hours etc. before

messages disappear.

• Screenshot Detection: If someone screenshots a disappearing message, the sender receives an

alert. (Similar to Snapchat & Instagram DMs.)

• No iCloud Backups: Disappearing messages exist only on-device, preventing long-term storage

and retrieval.(Apple Privacy Framework, 2023)

Impact

• Strengthens iOS Lock-in Effect—Adding self-destructing messages makes iMessage more essential,

making it harder for users to switch to Android. (Apple’s iMessage Strategy Report, 2023)

• Apple promotes itself as a privacy-first company, yet iMessage lacks this critical feature.

• Keeps Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Many iPhone users switch to WhatsApp or Signal for

disappearing messages—this keeps them inside iMessage.