You can now send disappearing WhatsApp messages [here’s how]

Starting right now, any WhatsApp user in the region can send messages that will disappear after seven days.

The seven-day countdown will start when the message is delivered, regardless of wether or not it has been read. Individual users can enable the feature in direct messages, but in groups the admin must turn on the feature for the group.

WhatsApp said this is another security feature. Last year, it added end-to-end encryption.

Here’s how to activate the new feature:

• Make sure you have the most recent WhatsApp update via the iOS or Google Play App Store.
• Click on the contact or group name that you want to activate disappearing messages for
• Toggle ‘disappearing messages’ either on or off (note, for group messages you need to be admin)
• New messages will now automatically disappear after seven days

Right now, seven days is the only timeframe for WhatsApp disappearing messages – but WhatsApp is said to be thinking about adding other time options.

“We will keep an eye on feedback about how people are using it and liking it and see if it needs adjusting in the future,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said.

“For now we are starting with seven days, because it feels like a nice balance between the utility you need for global text based conversations and the feeling of things not sticking around forever.”

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