Messaging with privacy features has become very important lately as people want to have more choices about how long things stay in their conversations and how long they can’t access them anymore.
Apps such as Snapchat have both popularized disappearing messages, but now WhatsApp is going a little further and are working on a new disappearing message feature called “After Reading.”
This new feature will let you set up your messages so they get deleted after being seen by the other party for those who use iPhone devices.
The latest release from WABetaInfo suggests this feature is currently being tested by WhatsApp.
WhatsApp May Soon Delete Messages After They’re Read
Currently, WhatsApp already allows users to enable disappearing messages. However, the existing feature only removes chats after a fixed time period such as 24 hours, 7 Days, or 90 days.
The upcoming update changes how that system works. Instead of deleting messages after a preset timer expires, WhatsApp is reportedly adding a new “after reading” option that starts the countdown only after the recipient opens the message.
New Timers Could Offer More Privacy Control
According to the leak, users will have the option to set their own rates for when a message’s content will no longer be visible to them after it has been read (possible options for timed deletion include five minutes, one hour and twelve hours).
However, unread messages are also unlikely to remain available indefinitely, which means after 24 hours, the message will be removed automatically, even if it has not been read.
Sender And Recipient Timers Work Differently
One more interesting part of the feature is how this feature will work for both the user, i.e. receiver and sender.
According to WABetaInfo, if the sender sets a message to disappear after five minutes, it may vanish from their own device after that period ends. But if the recipient doesn’t open the message immediately, it could remain on their device until they finally read it — after which the timer would begin.
Feature First Appeared On Android
WhatsApp reportedly started testing this upgraded disappearing message system on Android back in April 2026.
The latest leak now shows the feature being tested on iOS as well, which could indicate that a wider rollout may not be too far away.
For now, neither Meta nor WhatsApp has officially announced when this feature will be launched publicly.
But, if the reports are found to be true, this feature could become one of WhatsApp’s most useful privacy tools yet, especially for users who regularly share sensitive information or want more control over their conversations.
Also Read: Gmail’s New AI Can Search All Your Emails- Here’s How It Works
