A new functionality is coming to the disappearing message on WhatsApp that will let users set messages in a chat to automatically be deleted after a set period of time.
WhatsApp says users will now have the option to turn on disappearing messages automatically for all their new one-on-one chats, so that all future messages will be automatically deleted from the service.
In a facebook post the company says “We’re rolling out a new disappearing messages option on WhatsApp today so you’ll be able to make all new chats disappear by default after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. Not all messages need to stick around forever.”
When the feature first launched in November last year, users only had the option of having messages disappear after seven days. Going forward, however, there will also be the option of deleting them after just 24 hours or 90 days.
When you turn on disappearing messages by default, it won’t affect existing chats. When you start a new one-on-one chat, a notice will appear to say that the disappearing messages feature is turned on, alongside a note that says it’s on by default. You also have the option of turning the setting off for individual chats.
Although the new default setting doesn’t affect group chats, WhatsApp says it’s added a new option when creating groups to let you enable the disappearing messages feature.
How to Turn On Disappearing Messages
You can turn on disappearing messages by default for all new individual chats.
iPhone and Android: Go to WhatsApp Settings > tap Account > Privacy > Default message timer and select a duration.