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WhatsApp New Feature: Until now, the timer for disappearing messages on WhatsApp would begin the moment a message was sent. However, with this new feature, the timer will only activate once the recipient has actually read the message.

WhatsApp New Feature: WhatsApp is currently testing a new privacy feature for its users that could make message security even more advanced than before. According to reports, the company is introducing a feature wherein disappearing messages will automatically delete themselves—not merely after a fixed period of time, but specifically after they have been read. This feature was first spotted in the Android beta version, and testing for it has now commenced for iPhone users as well.

iPhone Beta Users Receive New 'After Reading' Option

According to reports, this feature is currently being rolled out to a select group of iPhone beta testers who are accessing the WhatsApp beta version via Apple's TestFlight program. A limited number of standard App Store users may also see this feature appear. The new setting, labeled "After Reading," is appearing within the Disappearing Messages section. This allows users to determine exactly how long a message remains visible after the recipient has read it before it automatically deletes itself.

Timer to Start *After* Reading

Until now, the timer for disappearing messages on WhatsApp would begin the instant a message was sent. However, under this new feature, the timer will only become active once the recipient has opened and read the message. Users will be able to choose from timer options of 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours. If the recipient does not open the message within 24 hours, WhatsApp will automatically remove it; meaning the message will not linger in the chat for an extended period, even if it remains unread.

Compatible with the Existing Disappearing Messages Feature

This new feature will function in conjunction with WhatsApp's existing disappearing messages system. Currently, the platform offers timer options of 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days. Users can apply these settings to a specific individual chat or set them as the default for all new chats. However, the new "After Reading" feature is reported to be entirely optional. In other words, it will not activate automatically; users will have to enable it manually. In chats where this feature is not active, the existing settings will continue to function as before.

Separate Timings for Sender and Recipient

The report also indicates that the sender's copy of a message may disappear according to the selected timer, whereas on the recipient's end, the timer will begin only after the message has been read. Consequently, the expiration time for the message could differ for the two users. Currently, WhatsApp has not clarified when this feature will be rolled out to all users. However, it is likely to be made available to a wider pool of beta testers in the coming weeks.