WhatsApp is experimenting with disappearing messages that only disappear after you have read them.

      WhatsApp's new 'After Reading' timer only removes messages after they are read by the recipient.

      WhatsApp has previously allowed users to send messages that disappear on a timer, but the countdown commenced the moment the message was sent, not when it was actually read by the recipient. This meant messages could remain unread for a long time and still vanish before anyone could view them.

      To address this, WhatsApp is experimenting with a new feature called the 'After Reading' timer for disappearing messages, which was identified in the latest beta update for iOS by WABetaInfo.

      This feature is currently being rolled out to select beta testers on iOS, following earlier trials on Android. It is accessible through the TestFlight beta program, with more widespread availability anticipated in the upcoming weeks.

      How does the After Reading timer function?

      To grasp this new feature, it's essential to understand how disappearing messages currently operate on WhatsApp. When you enable disappearing messages in a chat, WhatsApp will automatically delete new messages after a designated time frame.

      You can currently opt for 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days for the message deletion. This feature can be activated for specific chats or globally for all your conversations.

      The new After Reading option enhances this functionality. Instead of the timer starting from when the message is sent, it begins once the recipient actively reads it.

      You can set the message to vanish 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours after it has been opened. If the recipient does not open the message, it will automatically disappear after 24 hours.

      The After Reading feature operates slightly differently for both the sender and the recipient.

      From the sender's perspective, the message will vanish 5 minutes after it is sent, regardless of when the recipient opens it. For the recipient, however, the countdown only starts once they view the message.

      The After Reading option is completely optional and not activated by default, meaning your current conversations remain unchanged unless you choose to enable it. You can also activate it for individual chats, providing you the flexibility to use it selectively.

      Recently, WhatsApp also launched an Incognito Chat mode for Meta AI, where messages disappear immediately upon closing the chat.

      Manisha Priyadarshini is a tech and entertainment writer with over nine years of editorial experience.

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