Users can set timers ranging from 30 minutes to one month for profile status updates.
Expired statuses will disappear from view but remain accessible in a private archive.
Existing privacy settings will apply, with the option to edit or delete updates anytime.
WhatsApp is reportedly working on the disappearing status feature for iOS. The feature will now give iPhone users the same ability that Android beta testers received earlier. Spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.23.10.78 on TestFlight, the feature allows users to set expiration timers for the “About” section of their profile, making the statuses vanish automatically after a chosen duration.
SurveyWith this new feature, users can easily personalise their profile updates with preset timers ranging from 30 minutes to one week, as well as custom options that last up to a month. When the timer runs out, the status disappears automatically, allowing users to keep their profiles relevant and organised. The feature may be useful for short-term updates, such as notifying contacts that you are in a meeting, travelling, or taking a quick break, without worrying about outdated information.
The new status format is visible on the user’s profile page, as well as in conversations, chat info screens, and even in chat headers, where it alternates with the last seen indicator. To make things easier, WhatsApp will reportedly allow users to add emojis like coffee cups for breaks or suitcases for travel.
According to the report, the privacy controls will remain unchanged. Users can also control who can see their disappearing status using the existing privacy settings. It will also retain the ability to edit or delete updates before the timer expires. However, the expired statuses will no longer be visible to contacts, but will be saved privately in a personal archive, allowing users to access previous updates whenever they want.
The feature is currently in beta testing and is expected to be released to the public in the coming weeks, along with future updates.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
