After years of resisting the call for disappearing messages, WhatsApp finally added the feature to the messaging platform.
So, how do WhatsApp disappearing messages work and how do you use the feature? Here’s everything you need to know…
What Are WhatsApp Disappearing Messages?
It took the messaging app some time to catch up with rivals like Signal and Telegram. But hot on the heels of bulk-deleting texts on WhatsApp, disappearing messages were also added to the platform.
The idea behind disappearing messages, at least according to the Facebook-owned company, is to “make conversations on WhatsApp feel as close to in-person as possible”.
WhatsApp says that since chatter is temporary, now your texts can be too. That’s where disappearing messages come in. It’s an option that automatically deletes messages after a week.
The feature is a bit bare-bones: there’s no way to change, for instance, the number of days before messages disappear or whether to include or exclude any videos and photos you share.
In a blog post, WhatsApp explained the seven-day limit.
“We’re starting with seven 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,” the company says.
How Do Disappearing Messages Work?
Once you’ve turned on disappearing messages, any message sent vanishes or auto-deletes after seven days—you won’t need to do anything more.
Only the most recent setting applies. So, if you turn disappearing messages on, send a message, then turn it off, the message won’t disappear.
In individual chats, anyone can turn on disappearing messages. In group chats, only the admins can do this.
When the option is turned on (or off), a notification will appear in the chat, confirming your choice and alerting the individual or group.
How to Use Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp
It’s pretty simple to use disappearing messages on WhatsApp. Rather than being an app-wide setting, you will need to enable the feature on specific chats and groups.
Here’s how to use the feature…
How to Turn on Disappearing Messages in WhatsApp
Turning on disappearing messages is simple.
To turn on the feature, follow these steps:
- Open the chat you want to change the settings for.
- Tap on the contact’s name or group name at the top of the chat.
- Scroll to Disappearing messages. The current status is displayed below this.
- Select Disappearing messages. You’ll see a brief introduction to disappearing messages. Choose Continue.
- Toggle the setting to On.
A notification that messages are now set to disappear is shown in the chat. You can tap this notification to quickly change the option without going back into your chat settings.
How to Turn Off WhatsApp’s Disappearing Messages
To turn off disappearing messages, it’s a simple process of going back to your settings and toggling the option off:
- Tap on the contact’s name or group name at the top of the screen.
- Scroll to and select Disappearing messages.
- Select Off.
Anyone in the chat—whether it’s a group or individual—will see an alert that you have turned off disappearing messages.
When Don’t Messages Disappear?
Just because you’ve turned on disappearing messages, this doesn’t mean every bit of every chat is destined for the void.
Remember, there’s nothing stopping the other person from taking a screenshot of the message or copying its contents before WhatsApp automatically removes it. But there are other exceptions, too.
Messages sent or received before the disappearing messages feature was introduced won’t be affected.
If you forward a ‘disappearing message’ to another person, it won’t disappear unless the option is turned on for both chats.
Replying directly to a ‘disappearing message’ by swiping right to quote it can sometimes lead to the original message remaining visible after the seven-day limit.
While videos and images are deleted from the app, if your phone automatically downloads the media, it won’t be removed.
To turn this setting off, open WhatsApp, tap the three dots, select Settings > Storage and data. Under Media auto-download, tap into each of the three options (mobile data, Wi-Fi, and roaming) and deselect all media formats. Tap Ok to confirm.
Speaking of backups, should you backup your messages before disappearing messages works its magic, these will also be available to read—at least until you restore the backup on your phone, at which point they’ll be removed.
WhatsApp also warns that if the user doesn’t open or read the message, they’ll still be deleted. However, notification previews on the phone itself may still show the message.
Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe With Disappearing Messages
WhatsApp’s disappearing messages brings it in line with other major messaging apps. It’s quick and easy to set up, and — according to WhatsApp at least — makes conversations more private.
It’s not perfect. Expect to see further updates on how the option handles types of messages and length of time before deletion. But it’s a welcome addition to the app.
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