WhatsApp disappearing messages getting big upgrade — what you need to know

WhatsApp disappearing messages getting large upgrade — what you lot need to know

(Paradigm credit: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images)

WhatsApp is looking to brand it easier for users to turn on disappearing messages for their conversations according to a new written report. Currently, if you want to use messages that vanish after seven days yous need to plough this setting on for each conversation you have. It'due south applied per user, non every bit a coating setting.

However, WhatsApp is making changes to this feature in an upcoming version. Instead users will be able to apply the setting for all chats, no affair where they come from. Once switched on, new chats will be able to expire after a predetermined length of time. It's not clear if this will still be the existing 7 day window, or if there will be more command over how long messages stay alive for.

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The information comes from the reliable WABetaInfo, which has uncovered the potential new feature coming to the Facebook-endemic chat app. Every bit usual, these features are often included in exam versions of the software, but may or may not make it into the live service at some point in the time to come.

Every bit with all forms of disappearing letters, these provide simply pocket-sized security. People are nevertheless able to retain any media you send them and forwarding messages or screenshots will permit you to keep copies even with this setting turned on. Ultimately, it'south non entirely useful for deleting past conversations, although it may be handy if you're simply smashing to police the volume of chats you lot have stored on your phone.

Signal, which is considered to be one of the more secure mass-marketplace apps, already offers more than command over the duration messages are kept. Withal Signal's settings for disappearing letters is also set up on a per-user basis, with no global option to ensure that all chats elapse after a set menstruation of time.

However, with many people frustrated by WhatsApp'southward new terms and conditions and privacy policy, having features ready to go in alternative apps is good news in full general. Equally Facebook tightens the screws on WhatsApp, it's possible users will continue to move their chats away and start with some other service.

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Ian has been involved in engineering journalism since 2007, originally writing almost AV hardware back when LCDs and plasma TVs were just gaining popularity. Nigh 15 years on, he remains as excited as ever most how tech can brand your life amend. Ian is the editor of T3.com merely has as well regularly contributed to Tom's Guide.