Can You Tell if Someone Screenshots your Facebook Messenger Conversation

Screenshot notifications are vital to your sense of privacy. With so many apps and social media sites implementing software to ensure that you know someone captured content, it’s only natural to wonder if Facebook’s Messenger service does too.

Over the years, we’ve tested multiple ways to get screenshot notifications on Messenger. From third-party apps to workarounds, we’ve finally discovered how to get screenshot notifications on Facebook Messenger.

This article will teach you how to get screenshot notifications on Facebook Messenger. Of course, even with screenshot notifications, you can’t do anything once a message is captured. So, we’ll also cover a few ways to protect yourself from privacy breaches.

How to Enable Screenshot Notifications on Facebook Messenger

It seems the Meta developers have finally answered the call for screenshot notifications on the popular Messaging app. But, it only works if you put your messages in Vanish Mode.

Vanish Mode has the same interface as standard messages, but it’s more privacy-focused than regular chats. For example, messages will disappear when the recipient reads them and minimizes the chat. Unfortunately, this only works on the Messenger app for mobile devices so, you can’t get screenshot alerts on the browser version.

Here’s how to use Vanish Mode and get screenshot notifications:

1. Open the Messenger app on your iPhone or Android. Then tap on a conversation.
   
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
   
3. Hold your screen until the Vanish Mode circle completes.
   
4. Now, you will see that your chat has changed to Vanish Mode.
   
5. Now, when someone takes a screenshot, you will see the notification at the bottom of the chat.
   

As stated previously, Vanish Mode will not stop screenshots. But, it will let you know when someone captures an image of your chat. When you want to use the regular Chat again, tap Turn off Vanish Mode at the top of the screen.

Now that you know how to get screenshot notifications, let’s review some vital security tips to prevent private conversation leaks.

Enable End-To-End Encryption

Meta is making great strides to compete with other communication apps. Aside from implementing screenshot notifications, the company also introduced end-to-end encryption. What’s great is that you can use this function on both the web browser and the mobile app.

To enable end-to-end encryption on the web browser, do this:

1. Open the chat where you need to enable encryption. Click on the recipient’s name in the upper left corner.
   
2. Click on Start end-to-end encrypted chat.
   
3. A new chat will open. At the top you’ll see that the messages are encrypted.
   

If you’re using the Facebook Messenger mobile app, you can enable Secret Conversations. These conversations also have end-to-end encryption.

Here’s what to do on the mobile app:

1. Open the chat you want to keep private. Then, tap the ‘i‘ icon in the upper right.
   
2. Scroll down the page and tap Go to secret conversation.
   
3. Now your messages are encrypted as evidenced by the grey text.
   

End-to-end encrypted messages mean that only you and the recipient can read the text. Third-parties cannot intercept and read your chats. Of course, other users can still screenshot these messages but his does secure them from prying eyes.

Set Your Messages to Expire Quickly

Another privacy option you have is to set your messages to disappear after a set time. Like the other options, you will need to activate this function in Facebook messenger as it isn’t native to standard chats. But, this may prevent some unwanted screen captures because the message will disappear.

Here is how to set your Facebook messages to expire:

1. Open Facebook Messenger and open a Secret Conversation (See the steps above to switch a conversation to private).
   
2. Tap on the ‘i‘ icon in the upper right corner.
   
3. Tap on Disappearing Messages.
   
4. Select the time frame after which your messages will disappear.
   

Now, you can go back to your chat and send texts with slightly more security. While even this won’t stop screenshots or give you notifications, it will reduce the recipient’s ability to come back later and capture the messages.

Preventing Screenshots

You should approach social media with the mindset of not putting anything on any network that you wouldn’t want the world to see. Once it’s out there, it’s out there and people can do whatever they like with it.

That means you need to be mindful of what you say, how you say it, what kind of images you share, videos you send, and audio recordings you might upload online. THINK before you post anything!

Communicating with a trusted person through Messenger doesn’t mean you can always trust them with private content. There is never a guarantee that a screenshot of your chat will remain safe. Always assume the worst and protect yourself as much as possible. With social networks as huge and as open as the ones we have, there’s always a risk. Your privacy is always at stake.

Facebook Messenger doesn’t notify you when someone takes a screenshot and there hasn’t been any indication that this feature is coming. So, be sure to always be mindful of what you put in your group chat. With a digital world as wide and as scary as we have, we all have the reason to be defensive of our privacy for our own good. Surely, we don’t want to be famous in the wrong way or have our personal details corrupted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your online privacy is incredibly important, that’s why we’ve included some more information about Facebook Messenger below!

Is there anything I can do to keep someone from screenshotting my messages?

The only line of defense you have against this invasion is to avoid sending the content in the first place. Unfortunately, even the most privacy-conscious platforms like Snapchat haven’t implemented an option to block screenshots.

If I block someone on Facebook, can they still see my messages?

Yes, any messages (including images) you’ve sent in the past will still appear in their chat. Fortunately, your name and profile picture will not be attached. There are ways that you can delete all messages and conversations in Facebook Messenger.

Can I delete a message after I’ve sent it?

Yes. If you want to delete a Facebook message after you’ve sent it, long-press the message and tap on the option to ‘Remove for Everyone.’

Do you know of any ways to make Facebook Messenger more secure? Have any stories about having chats shared without your knowledge? Tell us about them below if you do!