How to send messages that disappear after a while on WhatsApp

WhatsApp already allows to send messages with an expiration date It is true that some WhatsApp functions are focused on preventing data loss data. For example, you can back up your messages to iCloud and Google Drive. Additionally, WhatsApp creates a local backup automatically. However, there are messages that are better than self-destruct.

According to the company itself, they themselves have come to the conclusion that not all messages should be stored foreverFor this reason, they have provided WhatsApp with a new feature: temporary messages that automatically disappear. If you want to know everything about this newly arrived feature, keep reading.

Temporary messages: what to watch out for

There are a few things to keep in mind before turning on temporary messages. Knowing these details will allow you to decide if you prefer to activate them or, on the contrary, if you prefer not to do so.

• Temporary messages have a preset expiration of 7 days. Thanks to this, the conversation is automatically cleaned and its history is lightened.
• Can be activated in individual conversations and in groups. In the first case, either of the two participants can activate or deactivate this function. In the second, only administrators have permission to do so.
• If the recipient does not open a message within seven days, the message will be gone forever. However, if it has not been dismissed, the content remains in the notification.
• A message that has been deleted will still be visible if someone replied to it for more than seven days.
• Temporary messages are included in backups made to Google Drive or iCloud. If that copy is restored seven days after the temporary message was sent, it will be automatically deleted and cannot be recovered.
• Media files stored in the phone's memory or in systems other than WhatsApp, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Google Photos, will not be deleted. On the contrary, they will be deleted after seven days if they are stored within the application, in the case of iOS, or in the WhatsApp folder, in the case of Android.
• Temporary messages are not infallible. It is still possible to take a screenshot, extract the content of a conversation, and paste it into a documentor forward the message to another user.

We hope this list has clarified your doubts a bit. If you are determined to activate temporary messages, we explain how to do it in a private conversation and in a group.

How to activate temporary WhatsApp messages in an individual chat

To activate temporary messages in a conversation with another user, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the conversation where you want to activate this feature.
2. Tap on the contact's name to access more information.
3. Now, use the Temporary messages function to start the process. In the message that you will see below, click on Continue.
4. Select the option Activated.

How to activate temporary WhatsApp messages in a group

How to prevent temporary WhatsApp messages from disappearing

Activating this new feature in groups is just as easy. Remember that, in this case, only administrators can do it. Please check that you are an administrator of the group before trying. Do the following:

1. In the list of conversations, locate a group and access it.
2. Click on the name of the group, located at the top of the screen.
3. Tap on the Temporary messages option to activate them. In the event that a pop-up message appears, press Continue.
4. Lastly, select Activated.