How do I find out who sent it?
Last updated: 29 September 2026 · The Sea Messages safety team
Got a message without a name and want to know who wrote it? It's the most asked question about anonymous links. This page answers it honestly: who can actually know the sender, why "detectors" and apps that promise a name can steal your account, and what to do if a message upset you.
Can I find out who sent me an anonymous message?
Usually not. Only the site or app the message came through has the sender's account, and responsible ones don't hand it out. Any other app has no access to that information, so whatever it promises, it can't find out. The sender only shows up if they chose to add their name.
Do "Sarahah detector" apps work?
No, and don't try them. Apps and sites that claim to reveal who sent you a message on Sarahah or NGL don't have the sender's data. Many ask you to sign in with Instagram or Facebook on a page that isn't theirs, which can hand over your account. Others ask for money or show ads, and never produce a name.
- Only type your Instagram or Facebook password in their own app or official site.
- Check the address bar in your browser before typing anything.
- Turn on two-step verification on your accounts.
- If you typed your password on a site like this, change it now and sign out of every device.
What is a "fake Sarahah link"?
Some people post a link that looks like an anonymous messages link, but when you open it, it asks you to sign in to Instagram or Facebook on a look-alike page. It's a trap to take your account, or to find out who opened it. If a link asks for another account's password, close it.
Can I guess from the wording?
You may feel you recognise the style, but guesses are often wrong. Don't accuse anyone in public or post a story saying "I know who you are"; it can wreck a friendship for nothing. If the message is kind, enjoy it; if it's hurtful, go to the next step.
What should I do about a hurtful message?
Don't reply while you're upset. Take a screenshot, then block and report from inside the app itself, because the app is the one that can stop the real sender. If it contains threats or blackmail, talk to an adult you trust, and never send money or photos to anyone.
How block and report work here: Safety on Sea Messages.
Is the Sarahah website still working?
The original Sarahah announced the closure of its messaging service in December 2021, and its website no longer carries messages between people. Sites and apps that use the names Sarahah or Sarhne today are different services, unrelated to it, each with its own rules on keeping sender data.
And on Sea Messages?
On Sea Messages the recipient doesn't know who sent an anonymous message, and there is no paid upgrade or "hint" that reveals the sender. We keep the sender's account only so blocking and reporting work on them, and we never give it to any user. Senders can choose to show their name.
The full details: Can they tell who sent it?
More questions
Does NGL reveal the sender if I pay?
In 2024 the US Federal Trade Commission alleged that NGL's paid upgrade falsely claimed to reveal senders, and the company agreed to a settlement. The details and sources are in Is NGL real?
Can someone see that I opened their link?
On Sea Messages, no: visiting a link isn't recorded under your name and isn't shown to the island's owner. Other sites differ, so read each site's privacy policy.
I typed my password into a detector. What now?
Change the password straight away in the official app, sign out of all other devices, and turn on two-step verification. If you're locked out, use "Forgot password" or the platform's official account recovery page.