WhatsApp beta reveals refined disappearing message timers.
New options add flexibility beyond the current 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days.
Feature under testing, rollout expected in future updates.
WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature has been quite a useful feature. Now, the WaBetaInfo report suggests that the Meta owned instant messaging platform has been working on the refined disappearing messages feature with new, shorter expiration options. Spotted in the latest Android beta version 2.25.24.18 on the Google Play Store, the messaging platform is preparing to let users set chats to vanish after just 1 hour or 12 hours, expanding beyond the current choices of 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days.
SurveyThe screenshots shared by the report shows that the 1-hour timer will be known as a short-lived setting, designed for sensitive exchanges where messages should disappear almost immediately. However, WhatsApp will also reportedly warn about the potential downsides since the countdown begins once a message is delivered, not when it’s opened. So, there’s a risk if it could vanish before the recipient has a chance to read it.
On the other hand, the 12-hour timer, by contrast, will offer a more balanced approach. It will allow conversations to remain visible throughout the day, but will disappear before they become irrelevant. This can be ideal for planning events, coordinating tasks, or sharing details that only matter for a limited period.
With these two new durations, WhatsApp aims to offer people a more organized way to manage their chats, whether for privacy, practicality, or simply reducing the clutter. There are chances that the company may also consider additional timers in future updates, offering even finer control over how long messages stay visible.
It should be noted that the short-timer feature is still under development and not yet available to all users. WhatsApp is expected to roll it out in a future update in the coming weeks.
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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
