WhatsApp finally prioritizes privacy and security and adds many useful features to the app. Earlier this year, the Facebook-backed company launched one time opinion to send media lost in chat. With a recent update, WhatsApp is taking Disappearing messages even further. Here is how you can enable and use disappearing messages on WhatsApp.
The disappearing messages functionality was limited to 7 days only. WhatsApp takes this further by adding new duration options such as 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days.
Enable Disappearing Messages By Default On WhatsApp
The company allows users to enable the default disappearing message timer for new chats and groups. It is hidden under the settings menu. Here is how you can access and enable a message scheduler in WhatsApp.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp on Android or iPhone.
We are going with the WhatsApp Android app in the screenshots below for reference.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu at the top and open Settings.
Stage 3: Select Account.
Step 4: Tap on Privacy.
Step 5: Under the disappearing messages menu, select Default messages timer.
You can choose 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days. When you enable this option, all new individual chats will start with disappearing messages set to the selected duration.
This setting does not affect your existing chats. Your current WhatsApp is not affected by this change.
All your new chats are set to disappear after the set time. In our case, we chose 24 hours to delete the chat from both parties after 24 hours.
Enable Disappearing Messages for WhatsApp Groups
You have the option to enable disappearing messages in WhatsApp groups as well. When you create a new group from scratch, you will see an option to enable and use message time for groups. Here’s how it works.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp on your phone.
Step 2: Tap the More menu at the top and select New group.
Stage 3: Select group members from the menu below and proceed.
Step 4: Give it a group name and you will see the Disappearing messages option below.
Tap on it and select the message scheduler to automatically delete WhatsApp messages. You can choose 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days. We hope WhatsApp will offer more time to choose like 30 days, 45 days or 60 days.
Use Disappearing Messages for Existing WhatsApp Chats
When you enable disappearing messages from WhatsApp Settings, it will only apply to new chats. Your existing chat threads will remain unaffected. However, you can easily allow disappearing messages for any chat. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp and select a chat for which you want to activate the disappearing messages.
Step 2: Tap the contact name at the top.
Stage 3: Select Disappearing messages.
Step 4: Select Message timer from the menu below and you are ready to see the messages disappear after a certain amount of time.
Use Disappearing Messages for Existing WhatsApp Groups
Although WhatsApp has implemented an option to add a message timer when creating a group, you can add disappearing messages for existing WhatsApp. Follow the steps below to make changes.
Stage 1: Open a WhatsApp group.
Step 2: Tap the group name at the top.
Stage 3: Select the message timer for the group from the disappearing messages menu.
In some cases, you may not have permission to change the settings. Group administrators or those with permission from the group administrators can make changes.
Disable Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp
If you don’t want the messages to disappear from all chats, you can disable the option at any time from WhatsApp Settings.
The thing is, you may not want to activate a message timer for all new WhatsApp chats. Some WhatsApp chats may be crucial for you to keep messages longer. Disable lost messages on WhatsApp using the steps below.
Stage 1: Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
Step 2: Select Account and open Privacy.
Stage 3: Tap on the default message timer.
Turn off lost messages for new WhatsApp chats, WhatsApp won’t automatically delete messages for you.
Don’t Leave Traces on WhatsApp
While WhatsApp has done a good job with its privacy options, it does not match Telegram’s secret chat and other functions.
