WhatsApp has finally rolled out its long-awaited disappearing messages chat feature which allows a user to set a particular chat with a recipient to automatically clear after 7 days.
This feature is no longer in its beta state and is now available to over 2 billion users, this feature is not limited to personal chats alone but its also available for group chats.
However, the admin of any group can deactivate disappearing messages on the group.
According to a statement by Whatsapp, the main aim of the feature is “to make conversations on WhatsApp feel as close to in-person as possible, which means they shouldn’t have to stick around forever”.
“That’s why we’re excited to introduce the option to use disappearing messages on WhatsApp. When the ‘disappearing messages’ feature is turned on, new messages sent to a chat will disappear after 7 days, helping the conversation feel lighter and more private,”
They even went ahead to state on a post made on Twitter that “not all messages need to stick around forever.”
Introducing disappearing messages. Now you can set chats to disappear after 7 days. Because not all messages need to stick around forever. pic.twitter.com/3Ny2mVxSaQ
— WhatsApp Inc. (@WhatsApp) November 5, 2020
“We’re starting with seven days because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent while remaining practical so you don’t forget what you were chatting about. The shopping list or store address you received a few days ago will be there while you need it, and then disappear after you don’t,”
it is further explained.
How WhatsApp Disappearing Messages Feature Works
- The most recent selection controls all messages in the chat. “This setting won’t affect messages you previously sent or received in the chat,” WhatsApp said on its support page.
- Disappearing messages will also wipe out photos and videos after seven days, and while messages will disappear for both parties, it’s still possible to take screenshots or just simply copy messages before they are automatically deleted. Or, you can also save the photos or other content with auto-download. You can turn auto-download off in WhatsApp Settings > Data and Storage Usage.
- If a user doesn’t open WhatsApp in seven days, the message will disappear. However, the preview of the message might still be displayed in notifications until WhatsApp is opened.
- When you reply to a message, the initial message is quoted. If you reply to a disappearing message, the quoted text might remain in the chat after seven days.
- If a disappearing message is forwarded to a chat with disappearing messages off, the message won’t disappear in the forwarded chat.
- If a user creates a backup before a message disappears, the disappearing message will be included in the backup. Disappearing messages will be deleted when a user restores from a backup.
How to Activate WhatsApp Disappearing Messages
- Launch your Whatsapp and navigate to a chat
- Tap on the contact name
- Click on “Disappearing Messages“
- Press “CONTINUE” to any prompt
- Select “ON“
How to Stop Whatsapp Disappearing Messages Feature
To deactivate the Whatsapp disappearing message feature so that messages will no longer clear after 7 days then;
- Launch your Whatsapp and navigate to a chat
- Tap on the contact name
- Click on “Disappearing Messages“
- Press “CONTINUE” to any prompt
- Select “OFF“
That’s all about activating and deactivating the Whatsapp disappearing message feature.
Also, bear in mind that it’s not in your power to determine when the chat will be automatically cleared.
Maybe it’ll be added shortly.
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