WhatsApp ‘disappearing messages’ feature is finally available in India and users can now use it across all platforms. However, users have to enable the feature manually, and as explains, messages (including media files) under this will automatically disappear after seven days. The disappearing messages feature can also be used on group chats; however, the option to enable/disable only lies with the admin.
How to Enable WhatsApp Disappearing Message Feature
To enable the feature on WhatsApp for Android and iOS devices (individual chat), users will need to open a WhatsApp chat > Tap the contact’s name > Tap Disappearing messages > If prompted, tap ‘CONTINUE’ > Select On. WhatsApp has stated that the same method can be used for WhatsApp for desktop, web and KaiOS. Similarly, the same method applies to disable the disappearing messages feature.
If a user doesn’t open WhatsApp in the seven day period, the message will disappear. However, the preview of the message might still be displayed 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 disappearing messages off, the message won’t disappear in the 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.
