PDF download Download Article
Learn how to keep your texts private in the Messages app for iPhone
PDF download Download Article

If you’re trying to hide text messages on an iPhone, there are a few different options. While deleting your texts is one sure-fire way to hide them , what if you want to hang onto them? In this article, we’ll explain the best ways to keep your texts while also protecting your privacy.

Things You Should Know

  • iPhones running iOS 10 and later have a built-in Invisible Ink feature that lets you send and receive blurred-out texts.
  • You can also protect your texts by backing them up in a password-protected Notes document on your phone.
  • Take advantage of your iPhone’s privacy features to keep people from seeing your text notifications and previews.
1

Keep your messages blurred out with Invisible Ink.

PDF download Download Article
  1. One of the simplest ways to hide messages on your iPhone from prying eyes is to use the built-in Invisible Ink feature that comes with the iOS Messages app (iOS 10 and later). When you send a text this way, it will appear blurred out on both your phone and the recipient’s phone. To reveal the hidden text, simply swipe your finger over it. To send an Invisible Ink message: [1]
    • Open a new or existing conversation. Type your text into the Text Message field at the bottom of the screen. You can also insert an image.
    • Tap and hold the Send button next to your message (it looks like a blue or green circle with an arrow pointing up).
    • Select Invisible Ink from the list of animation options that appears.
    • Tap the Send button again to send your message.
    • Both you and the recipient will see a blurred-out message with animated “static” over it. Once the message is revealed, it will stay visible for a few seconds before the effect turns on again.
      • The recipient of the message will get a notification that says “Message sent with Invisible Ink.”
      • If the person you sent the message to doesn’t have an iPhone, or if they’re using an old version of iOS (pre-iOS 10), the message won’t be hidden on their phone.
  2. Advertisement
2

Back up your messages in a password-protected Notes document.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you really don’t want to risk anyone else prying into your texts, you can always copy and paste them into a separate, password-protected document. Then, delete the texts from Messages. To do this:
3

Hide specific conversations with the Unknown Senders filter.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This method isn’t super secure, but it should be enough to prevent most casual snoopers from seeing your private conversations. Here’s how it works:
  2. Advertisement
4

Put limits on Messages with Screen Time.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Screen Time lets you set limits on when your apps are accessible. To override the limit, you’ll have to enter your Screen Time passcode. This is a good way to keep people who don’t know your passcode from reading your messages. Here’s how to set it up:
5

Disable text message notifications and banners.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This won’t hide iMessage conversations when your phone is unlocked, but it will stop notifications and banners from popping up whenever you get a text. To hide alerts from the Messages app, open Settings , then select Notifications and tap Messages . Toggle off Allow Notifications . [6]
    • You can also modify the settings under the Lock Screen Appearance header so that your message notifications don’t show previews.
  2. Advertisement
7

Turn off Text Message Forwarding.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you have it turned on, someone using one of your other linked Apple devices might see your texts. To disable Text Message Forwarding: [8]
  2. Advertisement
8

Set your iPhone screen to lock when you’re not using it.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your iPhone isn’t set to lock automatically when it’s not in use, it will be easier for other people to sneak a peek at your messages. Keep your texts secure and hidden by turning on the automatic locking feature. To do it: [9]
9

Use a third-party secret messaging app.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you want an extra-secure messaging app, there are several options to choose from in the App Store . Try downloading one of the following apps for your iPhone:
    • Viber , a secure messaging app that allows you to hide your chats and secure them with a PIN.
    • Telegram , a chat app with password protection features that allow you to chat privately.
    • Signal , a popular encrypted messaging app that includes a password protection feature.
  2. Advertisement
10

Download an SMS backup app and save your texts.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you want to get your private texts off of your phone altogether while still keeping them backed up, this is a good option. There are several iPhone-compatible apps you can use to save your all your texts and even restore them later if you want. A few popular options include:
    • SMS Export , which allows you to save your messages to a Mac desktop in various formats (such as XML, HTML, or Excel). You can then password protect the file to keep it safe.
    • Messages & SMS Export to PDF , which offers a lot of flexible options for backing up and saving your texts. You can even save your messages as a video! Once you’ve created the backup files, download them and store them somewhere secure (such as in a password-protected cloud).
    • Export Messages , which works with a complementary desktop app to back up your texts and attachments from the Messages app in a variety of formats. This is a paid app, but it offers unlimited exports.

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 143,085 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement