14 DAY TRIAL // We’ve known for a while that self-destructing messages were on their way to WhatsApp, and now the Facebook-owned service has finally released this feature on all supported platforms.
Officially called disappearing messages, the new feature basically comes down to just this: messages are automatically deleted after 7 days, both in standard chats and in group conversations, when enabled by either user or by an administrator, respectively.
For now, the 7 days setting is the only timing option that is available, though it goes without saying that users should be allowed to choose a custom setting. On Telegram, for example, which has been offering self-destructing messages as part of secret chats for quite a while, users can choose from a series of predefined time settings to automatically clear conversations, starting with 1 second.
WhatsApp, however, doesn’t rule out the possibility of enabling a different value or eventually provide users with more settings in this regard if it receives feedback in this regard.
“When disappearing messages is turned on, new messages sent to a chat will disappear after 7 days, helping the conversation feel lighter and more private. In a one-to-one chat, either person can turn disappearing messages on or off. In groups, admins will have the control,” WhatsApp says.
“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.”
Worth knowing is that the messages that are already in the conversation before you enable this feature are now affected by the new setting.
“You can send messages that disappear on WhatsApp by turning disappearing messages on. Once enabled, new messages sent in the chat will disappear after seven days. The most recent selection controls all messages in the chat. Messages sent or received before disappearing messages is enabled won’t be affected,” WhatsApp explains.
How to enable and disable WhatsApp disappearing messages on iPhone and Android
Activating the disappearing messages on WhatsApp for iPhone and Android is a matter of clicks and shouldn’t take more than a minute to do it.
And it’s all because WhatsApp has designed everything to be extremely straightforward, so here’s what you need to do.
First of all, make sure that you are running the latest version of WhatsApp – the newest build of the app needs to be installed on both your and your contact’s iPhone in order to be able to enable self-destructing messages.
Once the latest WhatsApp client is installed, simply open the conversation where you want to enable disappearing messages and tap the contact’s name. You should then see a bunch of extra options, including a Disappearing Messages entry. Tap the continue option on the next screen and then select the On option. The same steps are required when you want to disable it, only that you choose the off toggle on the last screen.
As a summary, here’s how to enable and disable disappearing messages on iPhone and Android:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version on both devices
- Open a conversation in WhatsApp on your device
- Tap the name of the contact in the top bar
- Tap the option called Disappearing Messages
- Tap Continue to advance to the next screen
- Select on to enable it and off to disable the feature