Apply spoiler formatting
- Type your message in the composer.
- Select only the part you want hidden.
- Open the formatting menu for the selection; additional options may be behind an overflow menu.
- Choose Spoiler and send the message.
Try a harmless example in Saved Messages first. Check that the intended fragment is hidden and that the explanation beside it remains readable.
An example that stays readable
Write “The answer to the riddle is: a bicycle” and hide only “a bicycle”. The recipient can understand what is hidden before deciding to reveal it. Avoid hiding the whole instruction when someone needs context first.
If the Spoiler option is missing
Make sure you selected text in the composer rather than someone else’s already-sent message. Check the additional formatting options and whether your official app is up to date. Typing symbols around a phrase is not a universal replacement for using the formatting menu.
If the hidden text appears when tapped, that is the expected result rather than a bug.
Spoilers, secret chats and auto-delete
A spoiler covers a fragment until it is tapped. A secret chat is a different kind of conversation. Auto-delete concerns how long a message remains. Spoiler formatting neither requires a secret chat nor activates a deletion timer.
Do not send a password or other secret assuming that a spoiler restricts access: a participant can reveal it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read text hidden by a spoiler?
Tap the hidden fragment in a message you can access.
Can a spoiler restore a deleted message?
No. Formatting does not create a separate copy of the text.
Sources and review
Proof X editorial team · Documentation reviewed October 13, 2026. Menus depend on your client and version; this does not claim hands-on testing on every device.