The new feature of WhatsApp allows users to send messages which disappear after seven days of the message being sent. This is a feature which first came from other social media apps such as Snapchat, Telegram, Wire and was later introduced to by other apps like Instagram and Facebook.
The disappearing message is in total control of the person sending the message as the person can decide on whether the message can be viewed twice or once and also for ho much time.
After the assigned time or chances of viewing the message, the message automatically disappears. WhatsApp had uploaded a blog post after launching the app to make the it easier for the users to understand the new feature.
In the blog they mentioned a couple of important things including why the app had the new feature in the first place. “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,” they mentioned.
Unlike other apps that offer the same feature, the difference between WhatsApp’s disappearing feature compared to other apps is that the messages will disappear after 7 day and this is not adjustable by the users.
In the one-to-one chat option, any one of the user can enable this option for the both of them and in case of group chats, only the admin can access the feature which applies to the whole group chat.
While addressing the time period of the messages being seven days, WhatsApp mentioned in their blog that it is set out with a time period of seven days so that the users have peace while chatting and do not have to remember what they said last time in order to keep the conversation going.
They explained it as, not wanting a shopping list after seven days, or an address that you might not need later.
How to activate this feature?
l Open WhatsApp chat on your Android or iOS
l Tap on the contact’s name and select the disappearing option.
l Tap continue and select ‘On’
In group chats, the option lies with the admin, follow the same steps above.
What should you be careful about?
l Messages will appear as preview, if the user has not opened the messages for the time period of seven days.The preview will disappear when WhatsApp is opened.
l When you or the person on the other end reply to a disappearing message, it will still be seen after the seven days.
l It you send a chat to someone who’s disappearing messages option is not enabled, the messages will be visible even after seven days.
l If the messages are not disappeared while you backup your messages then the disappearing messages will stay too but get deleted when the messages are restored.
l Screenshots and pictures of the chats can still be taken of a disappearing message before they are sent and the contents of a message can be copied.
Also read: Beauty Startup Nykaa files for IPO, plans to raise $500 millionHow to enable the feature on Desktop/Web?
l Open WhatsApp on your Desktop or Web
l Open the contact
l Select the disappearing option
l Turn the option ‘On’