A new feature is coming to WhatsApp that will allow you to send messages that self-destruct after seven days. How it works
This could be the beginning of a new path for WhatsApp. As we wrote last day and as has also been revealed by other sources, developers are working on a very interesting new feature: messages that self-destruct after seven days. It's not exactly the feature everyone was waiting for, namely the ability to send timed messages that self-delete after a few seconds, but it's still a first step towards a new tool that could change the application forever.
Self-destructing messages are already present on other messaging platforms and users make great use of them. WhatsApp, as it often happens, is way behind on this feature, but since October last year has been working hard to release it as soon as possible. The lockdown and the outbreak of the pandemic slowed down the work, forcing the developers to focus on other needs (such as increasing the limit of participants in video calls, increased from four to eight), but now they have thrown themselves headlong on the tool that allows you to automatically delete messages.
How self-destructing messages work
We're still talking about a feature that hasn't even made its official debut on the beta version, but has only been revealed through previews given by the guys at WaBetaInfo. From the information available to us, we can say that WhatsApp is working on a tool that will allow you to automatically delete messages from chats, but only after seven days of sending them. And it's not clear if the feature will be available only for groups or also for "one to one" chats.
Initially, in fact, the tool was designed for groups to give administrators the opportunity to clean up the oldest messages, especially in those very numerous. Later, images were released that showed the function also in single chats, but there have never been official confirmations. The most likely hypothesis is that initially it is only available as an option within WhatsApp groups and made available to administrators to do some cleaning. The latest images that have been published by WaBetaInfo show the "Expiring messages" option within the chat settings with the ability to delete messages after seven days of sending-
Those who expected the ability to send messages that self-destruct a few seconds after receiving and reading will be disappointed, but it is not said that WhatsApp will implement it in the future.
When will self-destruct messages arrive on WhatsApp
There is no date for the arrival of the new feature. WhatsApp is still working on releasing it as soon as possible, but it's not even in beta yet. The most likely scenario is that it will see the light of day in 2021.