WhatsApp Releases 'Disappearing Messages' Feature; Know How It Works, Check Steps To Enable

WhatsApp's new 'Disappearing Messages' feature is available in both android and iOS apps for individuals as well as group chats. The group admins will be able to enable the feature in group chats.

Representational Image (Getty)

New Delhi:, WhatsApp on Thursday has launched its much-awaited 'Disappearing Messages' feature that lets users send a message for a time limit after which it gets automatically deleted.  The feature is available in both android and iOS apps for individuals as well as group chats. Only the group admins will be able to enable the feature in group chats. "Our goal is to make conversations on WhatsApp feel as close to in-person as possible, which means they shouldn't have to stick around forever. That's why we're excited to introduce the option to use disappearing messages on WhatsApp," the company said in a statement. The Facebook-owned platform is starting with the seven-day limit "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 feature will be rolling out to over two billion active users globally this month. The platform has over 400 million users in India alone. Once enabled, new messages sent in the individual or group chat will automatically disappear after seven days. "This setting won't affect messages you previously sent or received in the chat. In an individual chat, either user can turn disappearing messages on or off. In a group chat, only group admins can turn disappearing messages on or off," WhatsApp informed. If the receiver somehow does not open WhatsApp in the seven-day period, the message will disappear but a preview of the message may still be available to see in notifications until WhatsApp is opened. "When you reply to a message, the initial message is quoted. If you reply to a disappearing message, the quoted text might remain in the chat after seven days". If a disappearing message is forwarded to a chat with the disappearing feature disabled, the message will not disappear in that particular forwarded chat. "If a user creates a backup before a message disappears, the disappearing message will be included in the backup. Disappearing messages will be deleted when a user restores from a backup," WhatsApp explained. WhatsApp said that people should only use disappearing messages with trusted individuals. For example, it's possible for someone to forward or take a screenshot of a disappearing message and save it before it disappears. "You can copy and save content from the disappearing message before it disappears and take a photo of a disappearing message with a camera or other device before it disappears," the company advised. If disappearing messages are turned on, media files sent will disappear from the app but will be saved on the device if auto-download is on. How to enable WhatsApp Disappearing messages feature:

• Open WhatsApp.
• Tap the contact’s name.
• Then tap on Disappearing messages.
• Select Continue.
• Choose "On".

Similarly, you can choose to disable to feature by selecting "Off". For now, here is no option to change the time frame from one week - you cannot reduce or increase the time span. WATCH | Here's How You Can Increase Battery Life Of Your Phone