Guides · Private texts
How to send a self-destructing message
Passwords, codes, addresses, anything you don't want to sit in a chat forever. Send it as a link that deletes itself. It's encrypted in your browser, so not even Paged can read it.
Updated October 24, 2026
01Step by step
1. Open paged.cc/text
No account needed. Add a title if you want, then write or paste your message.
2. Choose when it's deleted
Under Delete after, pick how long the message stays online, from a few minutes up to 7 days.
3. Turn on Delete after first view
The message is erased right after the first person opens it, so it can only be read once.
4. Add a password (optional)
With End-to-end encrypted on, you can add a Password the reader needs on top of the link. Send the password a different way, like a call or another app.
5. Click Create text and share the link
You get a link like paged.cc/t/x9f2. Send it to the person. You also get a secret link to delete the message early.
02Tips
- Leave End-to-end encrypted on: the key is in the part of the link after #, which never reaches our servers.
- A message set to delete after the first view only opens when the reader clicks to show it, so link previews in chat apps don't use it up.
- With a free account, messages can last up to 30 days and you can see when they're viewed.
03Questions
Can Paged read my message?
Not when it's encrypted (the default). It's locked in your browser and the key is only in the link.
How long can a message last?
Up to 7 days without an account, up to 30 days with a free account, and forever with Premium.
Can I delete it before it's read?
Yes. Use the secret delete link you get after creating it, or delete it from your dashboard.