EPHEMERAL
From Gas to Explode: Nikita Bier’s Take on Disappearing Photos
If you’ve been following Nikita Bier’s journey in social media, you might know him for creating positivity-focused apps like TBH and Gas. Those platforms thrived by letting users anonymously send kind words or uplifting poll responses to friends. But Bier’s newest venture, Explode, marks a shift from his previous focus on encouragement and polls—this time diving headlong into a simple, ephemeral messaging concept.
What Is Explode?
Explode is a disappearing-message service that works within iMessage—meaning your friends don’t need to download a separate app to see your photos or texts. It’s more or less a Snapchat alternative, but with a tighter focus on one single feature: sending content that automatically vanishes after a timer runs out.
The workflow is straightforward:
Snap a photo or type a text message.
Set a countdown timer (in seconds).
Send it directly via iMessage.
Watch the content disappear once time’s up.
And there’s an extra twist: screenshots are blocked, so recipients can’t easily save what you send.
Why It Stands Out
No Extra App Required: Unlike Snapchat or other disappearing-message apps, Explode doesn’t force every recipient to install the same platform. By piggybacking on iMessage, it removes the friction that comes with persuading friends to download yet another social media app.
Simplicity is Key: Some apps layer on filters, stories, maps, and more. Explode stays minimal—just take a photo (or type a short message), choose how many seconds it lasts, and send. That’s it.
Privacy Focused: In a world growing ever more concerned about data and screenshots that can leak your personal moments, Explode’s design tries to keep your content from lingering, limiting the digital footprints you leave behind.
A Different Direction for Nikita Bier
Bier’s earlier successes, TBH and Gas, targeted teens by cultivating a culture of kindness and self-esteem boosts via polls and positive notes. Explode feels like a departure from that formula—no polls, no anonymous compliments—opting instead for ephemeral fun. Still, the user-friendly approach and emphasis on effortless social sharing reflects Bier’s continued knack for taking a familiar concept and stripping it down to its most appealing core.
Can It Compete with Snapchat?
Snapchat popularized the self-destructing photo, launching a new era of ephemeral messaging. Today, countless apps mimic this feature. So why try Explode? For one, it cuts out the sign-up and friend-adding process typical of other apps. Also, the iMessage integration is convenient; many iPhone users already default to iMessage for everyday communication, so bridging ephemeral content with Apple’s chat ecosystem could be a real game-changer.
Potential Drawbacks
Apple-Only?: Because Explode relies on iMessage, it naturally excludes those who aren’t on an Apple device. That might limit its viral potential across mixed friend groups.
Single Feature: Snapchat evolved into much more—like group chats, stories, filters, and Snap Map. Explode is intentionally basic, which might or might not appeal to users looking for more social flair.
The Future of Explode
It remains to be seen whether Explode will follow in the viral footsteps of TBH or Gas. For now, it’s carving out a niche by being extremely easy to use and focusing on privacy and one-to-one (or one-to-few) ephemeral exchanges. As smartphone users become more selective about which apps they choose to install, offering ephemeral messaging within iMessage may prove to be a winning formula.
If you’re looking to move beyond the clutter of multi-feature social platforms—or you just want a simpler way to share fleeting moments—Explode could be worth a shot. It’s effortless, quick to set up, and your friends don’t have to install anything to see your disappearing photos or texts. Whether you’re snapping silly selfies or sending secret notes, the vanishing timer might just inject a bit of excitement into your usual text routine.
By stripping ephemeral messaging down to its essentials and placing it right inside iMessage, Nikita Bier shows once again that there’s power in keeping things simple. With Explode, you can embrace the fun of disappearing content without the baggage of a full-blown social network—and that might be exactly what users are looking for in a world awash with digital distractions.
