It’s one of the most popular messaging apps around, and now it seems that WhatsApp is about to launch a new feature.
WhatsApp is planning to introduce the ability to send self-destructing messages, which disappear after seven days.
The feature was first teased by WABetaInfo back in November last year, and has now been confirmed by WhatsApp in a new FAQ.
WhatsApp explained: “You can send messages that disappear on WhatsApp by enabling disappearing messages.
“Once enabled, new messages sent in the individual or group chat will disappear after seven days. The most recent selection controls all messages in the chat. This setting won’t affect messages you previously sent or received in the chat.
“In an individual chat, either user can turn disappearing messages on or off. In a group chat, only group admins can turn disappearing messages on or off.”
WhatsApp notes that there are several caveats to bear in mind.
Firstly, if a person doesn’t open WhatsApp for the seven days the message is visible, it will be deleted, although a preview of its contents may still be visible in that user’s notifications.
Meanwhile, if you reply to a disappearing message, the original message will be quoted and might not disappear after the seven days.
Finally, any backups will include disappearing messages that haven’t expired yet.
It remains unclear when the disappearing messages feature will be rolled out to users, although when it does, here’s how to use it.
How to enable disappearing messages
1. Open the WhatsApp chat.
2. Tap the contact’s name.
3. Tap Disappearing Messages.
4. If prompted, tap Continue.
5. Select On.
