Send a private note that disappears after it is read
By the Anselerate teamLast reviewed 7 October 2026Reading time about 4 minutes
The short answer
Write your note on ViewAndBurn, copy the link it gives you and send the link only to the right person. The note can be read one time. After it is opened, the stored copy is deleted at once.
Sometimes you need to share something private, like a login hint or a personal note. Normal chat and email keep a copy for a long time. A self destructing note is safer. ViewAndBurn is a free tool we made and run ourselves.
How ViewAndBurn keeps notes private
Your browser locks the message before it is sent. We store only the locked text. When your friend presses the reveal button, the message is unlocked in their browser, and the stored copy is deleted at once. A self destruct note can be read one time only, so a second visit finds nothing. The key to unlock the note is the part of the link after the # sign, so you do not need to make up a password.
Step 1: Write your note
Open viewandburn.com and type your message. Notes are text only, up to 10,000 characters.
Step 2: Create the link
Press the button to lock the note. You get a link. Copy the whole link, including the part after the # sign.
Step 3: Send the link to the right person
Send it in a private chat or a direct message. Anyone who has the full link can open the note first, so never post it in a public place or a group.
Step 4: Tell the person to open it when ready
Let the person know a note is coming. They should open it on their own device, read it right away and save what they need, because the note will be gone after the first read.
Step 5: Know how long it waits
Notes that nobody opens are deleted after 30 days.
Free use and accounts
ViewAndBurn is free. Guests can create two notes each day. If you log in with a free account, you get unlimited links and link management.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Send the link only to the person who needs it.
- Use a private chat or direct message.
- Tell the person to read the note at once.
- Share short, sensitive text only.
- Change a password you shared after it is used.
- Open the link yourself only if you are the receiver.
Don't
- Don't post the link in a public place or a big group.
- Don't forward the link.
- Don't use it for anything illegal or harmful.
- Don't expect to read the note twice.
- Don't share files. It handles text notes only.
- Don't open the link just to test it, because that uses the one read.
Questions people ask
Is a ViewAndBurn note really private?
The note is locked in your browser before it is sent, and we store only the locked text. It is deleted when it is read. Always send the link only to the right person.
Can the note be read twice?
No. A note can be read one time only. A second visit finds nothing.
What if nobody opens the note?
Unopened notes are deleted after 30 days.
Do I need a password?
No. The key to unlock the note is part of the link after the # sign.
Is it free?
Yes. Guests can create two notes a day. A free account gives unlimited links and link management.