WhatsApps secret new feature will delete texts once youve read them and it could be coming to iOS and Android soon

Date:
Wed, 20 May 2026 12:02:04 +0000

Description:
WhatsApp is testing a new feature that can automatically delete messages once theyve been read.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter WhatsApp is testing a new disappearing messages feature It may delete texts after theyve been read, not just after a set timer The feature is being tested on both iOS and Android If you want to be able to send a WhatsApp message to someone on your iPhone and have it disappear after theyve read it, youre in luck, as it looks like WhatsApp is currently testing this feature with a view to potentially launching it in the future.

Thats according to a new leak from WABetaInfo , at least. On its blog, WABetaInfo claims that WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will delete messages on iOS once they have been read. That could be a good way to protect your privacy if you dont want certain messages to stick around. Disappearing messages already exist in WhatsApp, but theyre a lot more limited in their current iteration. Right now, you can set messages to vanish after a
specified period of time has passed: 24 hours, seven days or 90 days.
However, this is something of a brute force option, as it doesnt consider whether the texts have actually been read before they get deleted. Latest Videos From You may like WhatsApp could get a Reddit-style spoiler-hiding feature WhatsApp is finally adding a handy group chat feature we've been waiting for iPhone owners urged to change this key privacy setting after FBI recovers suspects deleted Signal messages

The new update changes that. It adds an after reading option in the message timer settings that will let you tell WhatsApp to erase your texts once the recipient has seen them, not just once a predefined timer expires. That gives you more flexibility and ensures the text receiver actually has a chance to read what you sent before its gone. Gone in 60 seconds (Image credit: WABetaInfo) WABetaInfo describes this change as bringing a new layer of privacy to disappearing messages. And while the requirement is now for users to have read the message youve sent them, you can still control how long WhatsApp waits after that before purging the texts, with options including five minutes, one hour or 12 hours. Messages that remain unread will
disappear after 24 hours regardless of the setting you choose, though.

Interestingly, the timer for the sender and recipient do not have to be in sync with each other. WABetaInfo says that if you set the timer to five minutes, for example, the message will be removed from your own device after that period elapses. But if the person on the other end doesnt open it for several hours, itll still be available on their phone. As soon as they open it, the five-minute timer begins.

WhatsApp began testing this expanded timer for disappearing messages in April 2026, but at that time it was limited to Android devices . Now, its expanding to iOS as well. The fact that its being tested on both major operating
systems implies that it could be close to release. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

That said, theres no word on when this feature might become available. WABetaInfo doesnt have any information on releasing timing and theres no official word from WhatsApp, so well have to wait and see when it arrives.

Still, this feature could be a worthwhile addition, whether you already use disappearing messages and want more control or have never tried them but are curious about how they can protect your privacy. Stay tuned for more information on an official launch date. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Todays best iPhone deals Contract Deals Sim Free gift Apple
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/whatsapps-secret-new-feature-will-delete-text s-once-youve-read-them-and-it-could-be-coming-to-ios-and-android-soon


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