A type of mobile messaging application (app) that allows users to automate the destruction of in-app content in both the sender's and the recipient's accounts.

Ephemeral messaging apps differ from traditional messaging apps because traditional messaging app users can only control the retention or destruction of in-app content within their own account. For example, if a user sends a message using a traditional messaging app, the sender can delete the sent message from the sender's own account, but cannot control whether the recipient retains or deletes the message.

While all ephemeral messaging apps give users an enhanced ability to control the lifespan of in-app content, they vary regarding other features. For example, some but not all ephemeral messaging apps: