As T3 reported earlier this week, WhatsApp has been on a roll lately in terms of delivering new feature updates to users, and now we've just had word of yet another new WhatsApp feature heading to Samsung Galaxy phone users first before it goes mainstream.
That feature is 90-day disappearing messages, which joins 24-hour disappearing message functionality as something that WhatsApp is currently working on for introduction in the app, and augments the current disappearing message functionality available to everyone, which is 7 days.
As can be seen below, right now any WhatsApp user has access to a 7-day disappearing message function that, once enabled on a specific chat, will mean all messages and media in that chat get erased after a 7-day time period has elapsed. This feature is great for people who are concerned about privacy, or who may want sensitive chats deleted once they've been finished.
In the new version of the app, though, which is currently live in the WhatsApp beta program and is reportedly coming shortly to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 first, before being rolled out to everyone, that 7-day option is joined by both 24 hours and 90 days, with the menu displaying like this:
90 days
7 days
24 hours
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Off
For those interested in disappearing messages, and want to give the already live 7-day option a try, this is how you enable it.
First, click on a chat that you'd like to see message for disappear after 7 days. Next click on the three dots menu button on the top-right on the screen and then select "Group info". Within the Group info menu then click on the "Disappearing messages" option.
You will then be presented with with an info screen telling you how disappearing messages works. Click continue and then you will unlock the disappearing messages menu screen, which will look like the right-hand image above. Then simply click the "On" button and you will have turned on disappearing messages for this chat.
This should then give you a taste of the functionality before the 24-hour and 90-day options go live shortly. As we noted above, Samsung Galaxy owners are reported to be getting this update first, with other Android and iPhone users following shortly afterward.
- These are the best Samsung phones to run WhatsApp on
Rob has been writing about computing, gaming, mobile, home entertainment technology, toys (specifically Lego and board games), smart home and more for over 15 years. As the editor of PC Gamer, and former Deputy Editor for T3.com, you can find Rob's work in magazines, bookazines and online, as well as on podcasts and videos, too. Outside of his work Rob is passionate about motorbikes, skiing/snowboarding and team sports, with football and cricket his two favourites.
-
Double O-heaven? Could this hybrid be James Bond's next ride?
Hybrid Aston Martin Valhalla is finally here, and I can't wait to drive it
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
Here's 5 things to try with Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is finally available. These are the first things to try out once you've updated your iPhone
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
The best new camera phone might not be from Samsung or Apple
Oppo's making a big push for its next phone
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
I tried the iPhone 16 Pro on safari – now I want one for the huge camera upgrade
The iPhone 16 Pro's zoom boost is a game-changer
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE could be the king of foldables for one good reason
And the other rumours are looking good too...
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Android phone prices could soon soar for just one reason
Price of the brick goin' up
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Leaked Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra case shows a shift back to the mundane
Samsung's next flagship might not be quite so unique.
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Is this the foldable phone that has Samsung most worried?
Another folding phone has just launched, this time with Loewe design
By Chris Hall Published
-
Your iPhone or iPad might lose Netflix soon – here's why
Netflix is dropping some support
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
WhatsApp update will soon add messages from other apps, but there's a catch
Third-party chats are coming
By Max Freeman-Mills Published