WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging platform owned by Meta, first launched the 'disappearing messages' feature in 2020. This feature allows users to permanently delete certain messages from the platform after a set period of time. So far only 3 duration options are available under the discussed feature. But according to a report by WhatsApp's feature tracking site WABetaInfo, the company is planning to update the feature with 15 new duration options soon. If the news is true, this update will give users more control over the messages they send.
How will WhatsApp's Disappearing Messages feature's new duration options work?
Speaking of functionality, WhatsApp's Disappearing Messages feature will automatically delete marked messages after a certain period of time. The main objective of launching this feature is to enhance 'conversation privacy' by ensuring that messages sent by users are not permanently stored on the server or the recipient's device.
However, the feature currently supports only three duration options. These are – 24 hours, 7 days and 90 days. But according to the screenshot shared by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is currently working on a new duration time option for the disappearing messages feature and under the upcoming update, users will be able to set a total of 15 different duration times to automatically 'disappear' their sent messages. This list will include – 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 options. . These new options will be available in the “More options” section in the drop-down menu bar
Incidentally, these new options for disappearing messages were seen in the Windows desktop beta client version of WhatsApp. However, the report did not confirm whether this upgrade will also be available in iOS and Android beta version of WhatsApp.
How will the upcoming new duration options under the Disappearing Messages feature help users?
By increasing the duration time option of the Disappearing Messages feature, users can have more control over the messages they send and receive. The feature's 1-hour duration time can prove particularly useful when sending messages containing sensitive or confidential information via WhatsApp.