A Sarahah alternative, without the cruelty
Last updated: 28 September 2026 · The Sea Messages safety team
Sarahah was the best-known anonymous messages app in the Arab world, and then it stopped. Today people still search for "Sarahah" and "Sarahah link" and find many sites with the same idea. This page explains what happened, what to check before you share your link, and how Sea Messages is different.
What happened to Sarahah?
Sarahah launched in Saudi Arabia in 2016 and went global in 2017. In 2018 Apple and Google removed it from their stores after widespread bullying complaints; it returned to Google Play in 2019, and announced the closure of its messaging service in December 2021. Any site offering "Sarahah" messages today is a different service using the idea or the name.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 2016 | Sarahah launched in Saudi Arabia in November 2016 and spread worldwide in mid-2017 through Snapchat links. |
| February 2018 | In February 2018 Apple and Google removed Sarahah from their stores, after a petition about bullying signed by hundreds of thousands of people. |
| March 2019 | Sarahah returned to Google Play in March 2019, with automatic filtering of abusive messages. |
| December 2021 | Sarahah announced the closure of its messaging service in December 2021; its website no longer carries messages between people. |
What should you check before choosing an alternative?
The idea itself is simple: a link in your story and messages without names. The difference is in details you can't see at first glance: are messages checked before they reach you, does the site sell "hints" about senders, does it send fake messages to keep you hooked, and can you block and report easily?
- Checked before delivery: is a message screened before you see it, or only after it hurts?
- No identity for sale: a site selling "who sent it" or "hints" usually promises something it doesn't have.
- No fake messages: some apps have been accused of sending made-up messages to look busier.
- Block and report: both should work even on an anonymous sender.
- Privacy: what is kept about you, and who is it shared with?
How is Sea Messages different?
Sea Messages keeps the idea people loved about Sarahah, with kindness built in: every message is checked before delivery, senders are gently asked to soften harsh words, there are no fake messages, and there is no way to buy a sender's identity. It's free, and it's native Arabic, in Egyptian dialect.
| Feature | Sea Messages | What to check on any other site |
|---|---|---|
| Messages checked before delivery | Yes, every one | Does it say messages are checked, and is that before or after you see them? |
| Sender nudged when a message sounds hurtful | Yes | Does anything stop a sender before a cruel message goes out? |
| Sender hints or reveals for sale | No, never | Does it sell "who sent it" or "hints"? Treat that as a warning sign. |
| Fake messages | No, every message is from a real person | Does it clearly say every message was written by a real person? |
| Blocking works on anonymous senders | Yes | Can you block an anonymous sender, not just hide one message? |
| Price | Free | Is any recurring charge shown clearly before you pay? |
How do I start?
Sign in with Google or Facebook, pick a username, then name your island. Copy your link or share the ready-made story image on Instagram, Snapchat or WhatsApp Status, and wait for your first bottle. It takes less than a minute.
Step-by-step help for each platform: the Instagram story guide and the WhatsApp Status guide.
Is Sea Messages the same as Sarahah?
No. Sea Messages is an independent service at seamessages.com, with no connection to the Sarahah app, its founder, or any other site using the name. We use the Arabic word «صراحة» in its plain meaning: saying what you feel, honestly, but kindly.
More questions
Does Sarahah still work?
Not for messages between people. Sarahah announced the closure of its messaging service in December 2021, and any site offering "Sarahah" messages today is a different service.
Can I find out who messaged me on Sarahah or a similar site?
On Sea Messages, no, and nobody can pay to find out. Be careful with "sender detector" apps: many ask for your account and may steal it. Details: Can they tell who sent it?