Often reading old messages on WhatsApp, brings a smile on our faces. Now, the Facebook-owned instant messaging app has introduced the option to use disappearing messages to make conversations feel as close to in-person as possible that means they shouldn’t have to stick around forever.
According to WhatsApp, “When disappearing messages is turned on, new messages sent to a chat will disappear after 7 days, helping the conversation feel lighter and more private. In a one-to-one chat, either person can turn disappearing messages on or off. In groups, admins will have the control.”
Initially, WhatsApp is starting with 7 days because it believes that it offers peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent, while remaining practical so that one doesn’t forget what they were chatting about. The shopping list or store address that one receives a few days ago will be there while they need it, and then disappear after they don’t need it anymore.
One can send messages that disappear on WhatsApp by enabling disappearing messages. As per a latest blog, “Once enabled, new messages sent in the individual or group chat will disappear after seven days. The most recent selection controls all messages in the chat. This setting won’t affect messages you previously sent or received in the chat. In an individual chat, either user can turn disappearing messages on or off. In a group chat, only group admins can turn disappearing messages on or off.”
However, 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 the Facebook-owned instant messaging app is opened. When you reply to a message, the initial message is quoted. If one replies to a disappearing message, the quoted text might remain in the chat after seven days. And 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. Furthermore, the media the one receives in WhatsApp will be automatically downloaded to your photos. If disappearing messages are turned on, media sent in the chat will disappear. However, it will be saved on the phone if auto-download is on. You can turn auto-download off in WhatsApp Settings > Data and Storage Usage.
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