Since its official debut in 2021, WhatsApp has been working on improving the disappearing messages feature. As the name suggests, this feature allows users to send messages that automatically disappear after a certain period of time.
The idea behind this feature was to enhance privacy and security for users by ensuring that periodsitive conversations do not remain on their devices indefinitely. Initially, the disappearing messages were removed after 7 days. Later, the option to automatically delete messages after 24 hours or 90 days was introduced.
15 Additional Durations for WhatsApp Disappearing Messages
Now, the social media platform is reportedly working on 15 additional durations for the feature. As reported by WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp is planning to bring an update for disappearing messages that include 15 new durations, providing users with greater control and flexibility over their messages.
Originally, WaBetaInfo spotted the feature during the development of the WhatsApp Desktop beta and it is planned to be released in a future update of the app. The new update will allow users to set up disappearing messages by choosing a new option from the following 15 durations: 1 year, 180 days, 60 days, 30 days, 21 days, 14 days, 6 days, 5 days, 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, 12 hours, 6 hours, 3 hours, and 1 hour.
Users will undoubtedly have more control over the texts they send and receive with the inclusion of longer durations for vanishing messages. We believe that the one-hour time limit could be especially helpful for messages that include sensitive or confidential information because it enables users to send a message that vanishes immediately, preventing the message from being retained on the recipient’s device for an extended period.
Do know that WhatsApp is still working on implementing these new durations in a future update of WhatsApp beta for iOS and Android, ensuring that users on all platforms will have access to these additional options for setting up disappearing messages. Therefore, the exact rolling out date is known yet, but we promise to keep you updated.