Meta-owned WhatsApp is preparing to enhance its disappearing messages feature with greater flexibility and control for users. The latest beta update for Android introduces new time durations for messages to auto-delete, providing more customization than before.
More Options for Disappearing Messages
WhatsApp users can now choose additional time frames for message deletion—1 hour and 12 hours—alongside the existing options of 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days.
The 1-hour limit could be particularly useful for sharing sensitive information, such as bank details, that a user doesn’t want stored for long. However, WhatsApp has warned that shorter time frames may result in recipients missing messages before they are read. The 12-hour option, on the other hand, offers a middle ground between the one-hour and one-day settings, and could see broader adoption among users.
The feature is currently in beta testing, with no official rollout date announced yet.
Temporary Updates for About Section
WhatsApp is also experimenting with time-bound updates for its About section, which allows users to display short status text on their profile. Similar to disappearing messages, users can now set their About text to automatically vanish after 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, or even a custom time frame.
This move ensures that outdated updates don’t linger on user profiles, keeping them relevant and fresh. The feature is being tested on both Android and iOS platforms.
Other Recent WhatsApp Enhancements
The disappearing messages update comes amid a series of new features aimed at improving user experience. Recently, WhatsApp rolled out AI Writing Help, which suggests corrections or rewrites for texts, and Call Scheduling, which allows users to pre-plan calls—making the app more professional and business-friendly.
With these updates, WhatsApp continues to evolve beyond basic messaging, offering a mix of privacy, productivity, and personalization to its global user base.
