WHATSAPP is testing a major improvement to a feature that automatically deletes your texts.
The change means you’ll be able to turn self-vanishing messages on for multiple existing chats – in addition to new conversations.
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We don’t always look fondly on our most ancient texts.
So having your old messages automatically “unsending” themselves is a great way to avoid embarrassment down the line.
The change was uncovered by the gadget sleuths at WABetaInfo, who mine WhatsApp for upcoming changes.
“When you enable the default message timer, it only affects new individual chats,” said WABetaInfo.
“But WhatsApp is now working on a new option for your existing chats.
“WhatsApp is now working on a new option that lets us convert multiple existing conversations to disappearing chats in a future update.”
There’ll be a new shortcut that lets you enable disappearing messages for several chats.
That means you won’t need to individually toggle each chat.
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Once you’ve activated the setting, all new messages in the chats will disappear.
Sadly, there’s no confirmed release date.
“Unfortunately, this feature is under development so there are no further details about when it will be rolled out to beta testers,” said WABetaInfo.
“But we will post a new changelog on this website when the feature is available.”
You can currently set Disappearing Messages to automatically turn on for all new chats – without affecting existing conversations.
There are four options in total: 24 hours, 7 days, 90 days or Off.
Enabling Disappearing Messages automatically works for all one-on-one chats.
And either party in the chat can choose the setting.
It won’t change or delete any of your existing chats, so don’t worry about losing old info.
A message will also be displayed warning people in the conversation that messages will be deleted.
This notification will reveal how long you have to read the texts before they vanish forever.
Bear in mind that this system isn’t perfect.
Someone could still screenshot or copy your texts to keep a record of them.
So if you really want to keep something off the internet, consider not posting it – unless you’re messaging someone you absolutely trust.
All of the Disappearing Messages remain end-to-end encrypted, just like regular WhatsApp missives.
How to join WhatsApp beta
To download WhatsApp beta for your smartphone you need to go to Google Play on your Android and search for WhatsApp.
Scroll down the page until you see “Become a Beta Tester”.
Tap the “I’m In” button and then click “Join” to confirm.
Now all you have to do is wait for the update to the beta version of the app.
Joining the WhatsApp beta on iPhone is more difficult, and has limited capacity.
Follow Apple’s guide here.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
