Although it is the best instant messaging service, yet WhatsApp doesn’t seem to take a break and bask in its glory. It is continuously updating itself with the incorporation of new features. And now it seems they aren’t leaving any stones unturned as far as privacy and protection goes. After launching the Fingerprint lock feature in the app, WhatsApp is now testing the self-destructing and disappearing messages. The news comes straight from WABetaInfo, whose leaks and rumors regarding WhatsApp more often than not turns out to be true. But what exactly does this feature do and is available for everyone? Read on further to know more. Moreover, if this feature does seem to intrigue you, then don’t forget to check out 25 WhatsApp tips and tricks to use WhatsApp like a pro.
What is WhatsApp Disappearing Messages
As the name suggests, the WhatsApp Disappearing Messages feature lets you set a specific time after which the message would be self-destructed. You will have the option to choose from a list of available time periods. As this time period expires, the message will get disappeared. It goes even one step further than the current Delete for Everyone feature. In the latter case, the This message was deleted notification still remains, but in this case, there would be no trace of the disappeared message whatsoever.
Availability of this Feature
The app is currently in the alpha stage after which it will reach the beta stage. Once it reaches this beta stage, users may try out the WhatsApp Beta v2.19.279.apk. Even when the feature reaches the beta stage, don’t expect that you will get this feature for sure. This is because these types of updates are server-side and only a handful of users receive it initially. Moreover, it is worth mentioning the fact that you need to be enrolled in the app’s beta-testing program or get the latest beta version of WhatsApp app.
How to Enable the WhatsApp Disappearing Message option?
WhatsApp’s Disappearing Messages feature is (currently) located under Group Setting stab. This could be accessed by tapping the name of the group’s name and then going to the Group settings section. Since it is in the alpha stage, the location might be changed entirely if the feature gets integrated into the stable version.
Also, WhatsApp even allows you to disable its Status feature. Have a look at the trick to turn off or disable WhatsApp status feature.
More Information
One important thing that you might have noticed is the location of this feature. Judging by its placement, it seems the feature would only be available in the group chats and not in private ones. But still, take everything with a pinch of salt, until any official news comes around. Moreover, WhatsApp has strangely provided just two Disappearing Messages time- 5 seconds and 1 hour. You could either let WhatsApp destruct the message just after 5 seconds or after a huge 1-hour gap.
Let’s just hope that WhatsApp does end up adding the Disappearing Messages feature, with a few major tweaks along the way. Most noticeable adding the feature to personal chats as well the addition of more time intervals will be a welcome move. What are your opinions on this? Will WhatsApp’s self-destructing feature be as successful as compared to that of Telegram and Snapchat? Do let us know your views in the comments section below.