WhatsApp gets disappearing messages feature: How to use, what it means

WhatsApp Disappearing

Messages Feature: WhatsApp is adding disappearing messages to its

Android, iOS, Web, Desktop and KaiOS app. Here's what this means and how

to activate the new feature WhatsApp is introducing its disappearing messages feature on the app,

which was rumoured to be in the works. Disappearing messages are not

exactly new. Apps like Telegram, Signal, Wire and Snapchat already offer

such an option. In case of disappearing messages, a user can set a time

limit on a particular message after which it will disappear

automatically from the chat.

In a blog post WhatsApp said, “Our goal 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.” The

feature will be rolled out to individual and group chats as well.

WhatsApp is setting a limit of seven days after which messages sent

to a chat will disappear. It is not offering a customisable option to

users, where messages can disappear after a few seconds, hours or days

in other applications like Telegram, Signal and Wire.While in a one-to-one chat, either person will have the option of turning the disappearing messages on or off, in groups admins will exercise this control. The feature will be rolling out users everywhere this month and will apply on the Android, iOS, KaiOS, Web and Desktop versions of the app. It could take some time before you see it in the settings of your app.Regarding the seven-day logic, the blog post reads, “”We’re starting with 7 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.”How to activate disappearing messages on WhatsApp? Open the WhatsApp chat on Android or iOS and tap the contact’s name, followed by Disappearing messages setting.

If prompted, tap Continue and select On.

If you want disable disappearing messages, go back to this setting and Select off.

For group chats, the rights to turn on disappearing messages will

rest with the admin.  Follow the same steps in the Group chat as well to

turn on the feature.Points to keep in mind about disappearing messages on WhatsAppWhen you activate this feature, if a user doesn’t open WhatsApp in

the seven day period, the messages will disappear. But WhatsApp says a

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 where the user has

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.

Once again remember it is possible for the other person to forward or

take a screenshot of the disappearing message and save it. If

disappearing messages are turned on, media sent in the chat will

disappear, but it will be saved on the phone if auto-download is on.