WhatsApp Rolling Out Disappearing Messages Feature

[MacRumors]

Facebook is now rolling out a new disappearing messages feature to all WhatsApp users on iOS and Android, allowing messages, photos, and videos to be marked to disappear after seven days (via TechCrunch).

Users can use the feature for direct messages, and it can be enabled in groups by members with administrator privileges. The seven-day limit exists regardless of whether the recipient reads the message or not, with the timer starting from when the message is sent.

Facebook also hinted at potentially offering a wider range of time limits in the future:

"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 spokesperson for Facebook 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."

The implementation of the feature was reportedly delayed by the need for end-to-end encryption:

"[End-to-end encryption] was partly why it took us so long to implement this feature, because we wanted to retain the e2e capabilities that WhatsApp users expect and love," the spokesperson remarked.

There are also indications that Facebook may be looking to carry over the feature to its Messenger app, where it would sit in addition to the pre-existing "secret" messaging feature which allows the sender to control how long a message remains in a separate feed. This seems increasingly likely given Facebook's long-term plan to merge Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp chat platforms.

Earlier this week, WhatsApp began rolling out a new and improved way to manage storage in the app, helping users identify, select, and bulk delete GIFs, photos, and videos that may be filling up their device.

As with the recent storage changes, the new disappearing messages feature will not be enabled by default. It will instead need to be actively turned on in settings.

Article Link: WhatsApp Rolling Out Disappearing Messages Feature

 

[JosephAW]

Still have my first iMessage from my iPhone 4 now on my iPhone 11 Pro Max. Digital pack rat!

 

[miq]

And yet still no multi-device support.
Telegram is better than whatsapp in almost every way.

 

[Drogba11]

I don’t know why iMessage doesn’t allow you to delete messages for everyone. Too many times I’ve commented accidentally in a group chat.

 

[incoherent_1]

And yet still no multi-device support.
Telegram is better than whatsapp in almost every way.

Yes, and most importantly Telegram isn’t owned by Facebook. I really hope some regions start moving away from WhatsApp as the de facto messaging platform... I’m looking at you, Southeast Asia.

 

[calstanford]

I don't think Facebook ever innovated for one single second of it's existence

 

[Oz.]

I will stick with iMessage and Signal.

 

[TwoBytes]

But no iPad app yet that works without the need for the phone connection like other messaging apps? Come on Whatsapp, give the people what they want.

Déjà vu

 

[soyazul]

the copy of all Telegram Features doesn't end...

 

[Skeptical.me]

I discovered just yesterday that messages can be deleted for everyone. I accidentally sent a private message to a group chat, and I was able to delete it before anyone saw it. I had no idea WhatsApp had that option.

 

[GeoStructural]

I discovered just yesterday that messages can be deleted for everyone. I accidentally sent a private message to a group chat, and I was able to delete it before anyone saw it. I had no idea WhatsApp had that option.

That option has been available for years.

WhatsApp is No. 1, period (adoption rate I mean), but it has so many weaknesses that they can potentially overcome with a single update:

- Multidevice support for same account.
- The possibility of maintaining phone number private. Actually why not just a login? Or an email account?
- Take a look at Telegram and WeChat and port (steal) most of their good features.
- Official iPad and iPod support.
- Untethered PC/Mac Support.
- A backup option that will not eat your internal storage (just like Messenger does).

 

[ignatius345]

I wouldn't mind Apple stealing this idea for iMessage.

 

[CarlJ]

I don’t know why iMessage doesn’t allow you to delete messages for everyone. Too many times I’ve commented accidentally in a group chat.

Glance at screen before hitting send?

 

[Unsupported]

I don't see this option in WhatsApp settings. I imagine I need to wait for an update at the App Store for Spain?

 

[MVMNT]

Great if you've got something to hide...

 

[ryanwarsaw]

I don’t know why iMessage doesn’t allow you to delete messages for everyone. Too many times I’ve commented accidentally in a group chat.

Yeah I often get drunk and make threats i shouldn’t. This would be helpful. No need to catch court cases for one foolish, impassioned, drunken, indiscretion.

 

[Rafagon]

Glance at screen before hitting send?

Takes too much time to do that.

At least 0.5 seconds.

 

[Wahlstrm]

This is great news, I wish that all digital services implemented an auto purge function.

 

[ineedanaccont]

Remember now it only disappears for YOU... not THEM. 😝

 

[CarpalMac]

And yet still no multi-device support.
Telegram is better than whatsapp in almost every way.

Channel stats, time delay messages, gif creation and now with the latest update when adding multiple images to a single post (gallery) it will show them in a reel type format at the bottom so you can track what you have added.

I used to say that Telegram is like seeing whatsapp 5 years in the future. The truth is it is probably closer to 10 years.

 

[chicago19]

Where's the iPad app? I would enjoy that more than disappearing messages.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

That option has been available for years.

WhatsApp is No. 1, period (adoption rate I mean), but it has so many weaknesses that they can potentially overcome with a single update:

- Multidevice support for same account.
- The possibility of maintaining phone number private. Actually why not just a login? Or an email account?
- Take a look at Telegram and WeChat and port (steal) most of their good features.
- Official iPad and iPod support.
- Untethered PC/Mac Support.
- A backup option that will not eat your internal storage (just like Messenger does).

I have Whatsapp on my iPhone and Mac, and they share the same account, so I'm not sure what you mean by multidevice support?

I'm curious what features of WeChat you think are superior? I find it super clunky, and only use it with my Chinese suppliers.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Yeah I often get drunk and make threats i shouldn’t. This would be helpful. No need to catch court cases for one foolish, impassioned, drunken, indiscretion.

Sending a threatening message, that is then read by the recipient (even if only in their notification screen, so doesn't necessarily register as read in the app), is not solved by deleting the message, it is solved by a heartfelt sincere apology, and a trip to your shrink for some anger management training.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

I don't think Facebook ever innovated for one single second of it's existence

Seriously? For example, they created and open sourced React, which is now once of the most popular javascript development frameworks, and is brilliant for creating single page apps. They created it BECAUSE nothing else at the time did a good enough job for what they wanted. Innovation to the max. Sure, you might not like how FB operates, but claiming they don't innovate is a joke.

 

[GeoStructural]

I have Whatsapp on my iPhone and Mac, and they share the same account, so I'm not sure what you mean by multidevice support?

I'm curious what features of WeChat you think are superior? I find it super clunky, and only use it with my Chinese suppliers.

Yes, you can use it on a Mac or a PC, but that is tethered, you need to give permission from your phone and snap a code with your camera. I mean completely independent access from another device whether it is a computer, tablet or another smartphone, just like you can with Messenger and other apps. Right now if you actually access WhatsApp from another phone you lose access from the current one, I learned it the hard way and lost a bunch of info.

Regarding WeChat, I agree it is clunky but you have a larger feature set, probably Telegram is a better example but my point is there is a lot of room to make WhatsApp better and a look at the competition is a good start.