WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow messages to disappear after users read them. The feature is currently in testing and will change how disappearing messages work on the platform.
At present, WhatsApp allows users to enable disappearing messages with fixed timers such as 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. However, these timers start immediately after you send a message, even if the recipient has not opened or read it yet. This means a message can disappear before the recipient sees it, which many users find inconvenient, especially when sharing important information.
With the new update, WhatsApp is introducing an “after reading” timer. This means the countdown will begin only after the receiver opens and reads the message, making the feature more useful and practical. This change gives users better control over their conversations and ensures that messages remain visible until they actually viewed.
“Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.15.11 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that makes messages disappear after they’re sent or read,” WABetaInfo reported.
According to early testing, users may also get more flexible timing options. Instead of only long preset durations, WhatsApp plans to offer shorter, more precise options, such as 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours. This will allow users to decide exactly how long a message should stay after read.
For example, if a user selects 5 minutes, the message will disappear 5 minutes after the recipient reads it. If the message is opened after a few hours, the countdown will begin only then. This makes the system more reliable and useful for real-time communication.
The new feature is expected to work alongside the existing disappearing messages setting. This means users will have two different ways to control how long messages remain visible. One option will continue to use the standard timer that starts when the message sent. The second option will use the new “after reading” timer, which depends on when the user opens the message.
The recipient’s device will start the countdown only after they read the message. If they open it several hours later, it will disappear after the selected time from that moment. This keeps messages visible until the recipient sees them, improving the overall messaging experience.
“The after-reading option will offer a more precise level of control over message privacy compared to traditional timers. It ensures that messages remain visible only for a short period after users view them, rather than simply counting down from when users send them,” WABetaInfo said.
“This option can help users share sensitive information with greater confidence,” it added.
This feature will especially help users who often share personal details, one-time passwords, or confidential information. By making messages disappear shortly after users read them, WhatsApp provides a safer and more secure way to communicate.
In addition to the new timing feature, WhatsApp is also working on improving its interface. The updated design will make it easier for users to understand and manage disappearing message settings. The app clearly separates traditional timers from the new read-based option, making the feature simple and user-friendly.
Developers have discovered the feature in the Android beta version of the app, and they are still developing it. It is not yet available to all users, as WhatsApp continues to test how the system handles message deletion after reading.
Once testing is complete, the company will roll out the feature first to beta testers before making it available globally. Although there is no official release date yet, reports suggest that the update could arrive soon.
