How to Black Out Text on Discord Mobile: The Ultimate Guide

Want to keep a spoiler secret, redact sensitive information, or just add a touch of mystery to your Discord chats? The solution is blacking out text, also known as using spoiler tags. It’s simpler than you think, even on your mobile device.

The primary way to black out text on Discord Mobile is by using double vertical bars (

Diving Deeper: Mastering Discord Spoiler Tags on Mobile

Beyond the basic functionality, let's explore the nuances of using spoiler tags effectively on Discord mobile.

The Mechanics of Spoiler Tags

The core of the spoiler tag function revolves around the markdown syntax Discord employs. Using

This method is universally accepted across all Discord clients, regardless of the operating system (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux) or device type (mobile, desktop, web). It's a reliable and consistent way to ensure your spoiler remains hidden until intentionally revealed.

Why Use Spoiler Tags?

Spoiler tags are crucial for maintaining a positive community experience. They prevent accidental exposure to spoilers for games, movies, TV shows, or any other content where surprises are integral to the enjoyment. Furthermore, spoiler tags can protect sensitive information, such as personal details or financial figures, in public channels. This ensures privacy and reduces the risk of unwanted attention.

Practical Examples and Use Cases

Imagine you want to share a plot twist from the latest episode of your favorite show:

• Instead of: "OMG! Darth Vader is Luke's father!"
• Use: "OMG!
  

  	Darth Vader is Luke's father!

Or, perhaps you want to share a sensitive piece of information discreetly:

• Instead of: "My address is 123 Main Street."
• Use: "My address is
  

  	123 Main Street.

Styling Considerations

While you can’t customize the appearance of the black box itself, you can combine spoiler tags with other Discord formatting options. For instance, you can bold or italicize the text within the spoiler tag:

• 
  

  	**This is a bold spoiler!**

• 
  

  	*This is an italicized spoiler!*

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the closing bars: Ensure you use || at both the beginning and the end of the text you want to hide. Missing the closing bars will prevent the spoiler tag from working.
• Spacing issues: The vertical bars should be directly adjacent to the text, without any spaces in between.
  

  	Text		will not work. It needs to be		Text

• Overuse: While spoiler tags are helpful, avoid overusing them. Blacking out every other word can be distracting and annoying. Use them strategically and only when necessary.

Advanced Techniques: Going Beyond the Basics

Although the basic || syntax is straightforward, a few advanced techniques can further enhance your use of spoiler tags.

Spoiler Tagging Multiple Lines

To spoiler tag multiple lines of text, simply ensure each line is enclosed within the || characters:

   
     
     
This is the first line of the spoiler.
     
   
   
     
     
This is the second line of the spoiler.
     
   
   
     
     
And this is the final line.
     
   
 

Each line will be individually hidden and revealed upon tapping.

Combining Spoiler Tags with Code Blocks

You can use spoiler tags within code blocks, but the syntax needs careful attention. Code blocks often use backticks (`) to format text. To use a spoiler tag within a single-line code block, you need to place the spoiler tags outside the backticks:

`

For multi-line code blocks (using triple backticks), the same principle applies:

``` 
   
     
     
This is the first line of the spoiler within the code block.
     
   
   
     
     
This is the second line.
     
   
 

```

Using Spoiler Tags in Channel Names and Topics

Unfortunately, you cannot directly use spoiler tags in channel names or topics on Discord. These fields typically don't support markdown formatting. As a workaround, you can use descriptive language to indicate the presence of spoilers within the channel. For example, "[SPOILERS] - Game of Thrones Discussion".

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the use of spoiler tags on Discord mobile:

1. Why aren't my spoiler tags working?

Double-check the syntax. Ensure you have two vertical bars || at the beginning and end of the text, with no spaces between the bars and the text. Also, verify that you're using the correct characters – straight vertical bars, not similar-looking characters.

2. Can I customize the appearance of the spoiler box?

Unfortunately, no. Discord does not currently offer options to customize the color or style of the spoiler box. It remains a standard black box.

3. Do spoiler tags work on all Discord platforms?

Yes, spoiler tags using the || syntax are universally compatible across all Discord platforms, including mobile (iOS and Android), desktop, and web versions.

4. Can I use spoiler tags in direct messages (DMs)?

Yes, spoiler tags function identically in direct messages as they do in server channels.

5. Is there a limit to how much text I can spoiler tag?

There is no specific character limit for spoiler tags. However, extremely long spoiler tags might impact readability and user experience. Consider breaking up lengthy spoilers into smaller chunks.

6. Can I use spoiler tags within other formatting elements (e.g., bold, italics)?

Yes, you can combine spoiler tags with other formatting options, such as bold, italics, and even underlines. For example:

7. How do I spoiler tag an image or video?

To spoiler tag an image or video on mobile, tap the "+" button to upload the media. Before sending, tap on the "Mark as spoiler" checkbox that appears above the send button.

8. Can I spoiler tag a link?

Yes, you can spoiler tag a link by enclosing it within the

9. What happens if someone quotes a message with a spoiler tag?

When quoting a message containing a spoiler tag, the spoiler tag is preserved in the quoted message. The recipient will still need to tap to reveal the hidden text.

10. Are there any alternative methods for blacking out text on Discord Mobile?

The || syntax is the standard and most reliable method. There aren't officially supported alternative methods.

11. Why are my spoiler tags showing up as plain text on some devices?

This is rare, but can happen if a user has disabled markdown rendering in their Discord settings or if they're using a very outdated version of the Discord app. Instructing them to update their app or check their settings usually resolves the issue.

12. Can I undo a spoiler tag after I've sent a message?

Yes, you can edit your message to remove the spoiler tags. Tap and hold on your sent message, select "Edit," and remove the || characters from around the text. This will reveal the text to everyone.