VANISH PRIVATE CHAT GUIDE
How Vanish works
A room moves from creation to expiry while encryption stays on participant devices.
Create and derive keys
Your browser generates a random room and secret, then derives separate encryption and access keys. The encryption key stays on the device.
Encrypt and expire
Each message is encrypted before upload. The backend stops reads and writes at the deadline, and cleanup removes expired live rows.
Five steps from creation to expiry
First, the browser creates random room and secret material. Second, it derives separate message and access keys. Third, the backend records a server deadline. Fourth, participant browsers exchange authenticated ciphertext. Fifth, the deadline stops access and cleanup removes expired live rows.
Before you start
Do I need an account to create a room?
No. Create a free temporary room in your browser and share its complete secret invite directly.
Can recipients keep copies after expiry?
Yes. Room expiry stops access through Vanish, but it cannot erase screenshots or other copies made by recipients.