WhatsApp disappearing messages feature rolled out: Here is how it works

Facebook-owned instant messaging application WhatsApp has confirmed the roll out of a new feature which allows users to delete their messages after a period. The new disappearing messages feature which, once enabled, will make new messages sent in individual or group chats disappear after seven days. As per the information provided on the support page, enabling the settings will not affect the messages previously sent or received in chat. 

As of now, WhatsApp users could delete the messages soon after sending them. This, however, left behind a banner in the chat window which read that a message has been deleted.  

The new feature allows users to turn disappearing messages on and off for individual chats or in a group chat. However, only the admins will get to use it in the group chats. With this, if a user does not open Whatsapp in the seven-day period, the message will disappear, but its preview might still be displayed in notifications until the App is opened. 

The feature, as per the App, will not work if the disappearing message is forwarded, and in case the user creates a backup, however, when the user restores from a backup. 

It is being said that if you backup your chats before they disappear, then you will find them on Google Drive. However, if you plan to restore those disappearing messages from a backup, you won’t be able to find them as they will be deleted. Strangely, WhatsApp will allow users to forward or take a screenshot of the disappearing messages. 

As far as messages with media go, if auto-download is turned on the receiving phone the images, videos will be automatically saved on the device. There, however, is no option of customizing the time frame after which the messages will be deleted.