Skip to content
General

WhatsApp adds more options for disappearing messages on iOS and Android

By Wei Zhang
1 min read
WhatsApp
WhatsApp
In this article (4)

WhatsApp introduced disappearing messages last year. The feature was further improved not long ago with the option to make photos and video disappear immediately after being viewed once. Today, WhatsApp announced a new set of control options for those using disappearing messages.

Starting this week, iOS and Android users will be able to control their messages and how long they will remain visible thanks to two new features: default disappearing messages and multiple durations.

The latest version of WhatsApp adds the option to turn on disappearing messages by default for all new chats. This means that all individual chats will be set to disappear at your chosen duration. Furthermore, WhatsApp added a new option when creating a group chat that lets users enable default disappearing messages for groups. Obviously, this is an optional feature that’s not enabled by default.

Also, the update includes two new durations for disappearing messages – 24 hours and 90 days, in addition to the existing option of 7 days. You can set durations for disappearing messages from the Privacy settings and choose “Default Message Timer.”

Questions & Answers

Q.

Can I set all my new chats to use disappearing messages automatically?

A.

Yes, the latest update allows you to turn on disappearing messages by default for all new individual chats. You can choose a specific duration for these messages to remain visible, which will apply to all future conversations.

Q.

What new time limits are available for disappearing messages?

A.

The update introduces two new durations for disappearing messages: 24 hours and 90 days. These new options are in addition to the previously available 7-day setting, giving users more flexibility for message visibility.

Q.

Does this update allow me to set disappearing messages for new group chats?

A.

Yes, when creating a new group chat, WhatsApp has added an option that lets users enable default disappearing messages for that group. This feature is optional and not enabled automatically for groups.

Reader pulse

Are enhanced disappearing messages a net positive for businesses?

16,272 votes so far

Weekly Briefing

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox

Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday Weekly Wrap: the retail stories, numbers and moves that mattered across Asia. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

  • Top industry moves and market shifts
  • Weekly data-driven analysis from across Asia
  • Tuesday, Thursday and the Saturday Weekly Wrap

Read by retail operators, investors and brand teams across Asia.

Protected by a quick human check. No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click.

SecureGDPR ready