You can enable 'Disappearing messages' feature on WhatsApp now; here's how

WhatsApp recently announced the long-awaited 'Disappearing messages' feature for its more than 2 billion users. After launching the feature that would enable a time frame of seven days before the messages get automatically deleted, WhatsApp has now made the update available to its Indian users.

Here is what you need to know about the 'Disappearing messages' feature and how to use it.

'Disappearing messages' feature is available to users on different WhatsApp-supported devices like Android, iOS, and Linux-based KaiOS, along with its web and desktop platforms.

It can be used both for individual and group chats. For the latter, the admins can only enable the feature in the group chats.

Once you enable the 'Disappearing messages' feature for your individual or group chats, the new messages sent in the individual and group chats will disappear after seven days. It will also remove photos and videos shared after this period. This feature will not affect messages that were sent or received previously in the chats.

Before these messages get automatically deleted after seven days, it is still possible to copy them or take screenshots. The photos and videos can also be saved by turning auto-download on in the Storage and Data option of Settings.

If a disappearing message is forwarded to a chat, individual or group, with disappearing messages turned off, it will not disappear. It will also appear in the backup and only get deleted when the user restores from a backup.

If a user does not open their WhatsApp within seven days of receiving the message, it will still disappear. The preview of the message may still be visible in the notifications until WhatsApp is opened.

There is no option available to customise the time frame for the messages to get deleted.

Enable the "Disappearing messages" feature on Android and iOS phones:

1. Open the WhatsApp chat application on your phone.
2. Tap the contact or group chat name.
3. Right above the Encryptions option, there is a new option for the "Disappearing messages" feature.
4. Tap on the feature and select on to enable it. This will enable the feature for the particular individual or group chat.

For disabling the feature, the same "Disappearing messages" option can be tapped again and selected off.