WhatsApp adds disappearing messages, but only after seven days

WhatsApp has added disappearing messages. Once the feature is on, new messages in a chat vanish after seven days. That is the only timer on offer, and it is much longer than what some rival apps allow.

What changed

WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, announced the feature in a blog post. The company said it wants conversations to feel "as close to in-person as possible, which means they shouldn't have to stick around forever." In one-to-one chats, users can turn it on. In group chats, only the group admins can switch it on or off.

WhatsApp said it started with seven days because that gives "peace of mind that conversations aren't permanent," while staying practical so people do not forget what they were chatting about. The company said the feature is rolling out globally "this month."

The catch

Other apps give more control. Signal lets you pick a timer from a few seconds up to one week, including options like five, 10 or 30 seconds and one, five or 30 minutes. Mashable's reporter called seven days better than nothing, but not enough for real peace of mind.

It is not clear from the material why WhatsApp offers only one setting, or whether more timers are planned. Until that changes, treat a WhatsApp chat as something that can be read for a week.