WhatsApp has been testing the View-Once disappearing messages feature on its Android app since last month, and we now hear it is being tested on iOS as well.
This revelation comes from the folks at WABetaInfo, who spotted this View-Once disappearing messages feature on beta version 26.19.10.72 of WhatsApp for iOS.
This feature can be enabled via the “After reading” option in the Default message timer > Message timer menu. On iOS, it allows the sender to set a countdown timer for 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours, after which the message(s) they sent will disappear automatically if read by…
WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new privacy-focused feature for iPhone users that will allow messages to disappear shortly after they are read. The upcoming feature, currently spotted in beta versions of WhatsApp for iOS, aims to give users more control over sensitive conversations.
According to recent reports, the new option is called “After Reading” and works as an advanced version of WhatsApp’s existing disappearing messages feature. Instead of deleting messages after a fixed timer from when they are sent, the new system starts the countdown only after the recipient opens and reads the message.
The feature was first discovered in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.19.10.72 and is currently available to select beta testers through Apple’s TestFlight program. Reports suggest users may get multiple timer options, including 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 12 hours after a message has been viewed. If the message remains unread, WhatsApp may automatically delete it after 24 hours.
This upcoming tool appears to be designed for users who frequently share confidential information, private photos, OTPs, or sensitive personal details. By deleting messages after they are actually seen, WhatsApp could significantly improve privacy compared to traditional disappearing messages that start expiring immediately after sending.
The new feature is expected to work alongside WhatsApp’s existing disappearing message options, which currently support 24 hours, 7 days, and 90 days. Users will reportedly need to enable the new “After Reading” timer manually for each chat or as a default setting for future conversations.
While WhatsApp has not officially announced a public rollout date, the company is expected to expand testing to more beta users in the coming weeks before releasing the feature globally.
With privacy becoming a major focus for messaging platforms, this update could make WhatsApp even more appealing for users looking for better control over their conversations and digital footprint.