Jakarta, en.SERU.co.id — WhatsApp is rolling out a handy new option for disappearing messages that solves a common frustration: messages vanishing before anyone gets a chance to read them.
The feature, called “After Reading”, lets you set messages to automatically delete a short time after the recipient has actually opened and read them. Instead of starting the countdown the moment you hit send, the timer only kicks in once the other person sees the message.
You’ll have three choices: 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours after it’s been read. If the message is never opened, it will still disappear after 24 hours by default.
“With the new ‘After reading’ option, WhatsApp is bringing a new layer of privacy to disappearing messages. When users configure the message timer, they can choose to make their messages disappearing once they’re read.” — WABetaInfo
This makes it much more useful for sharing things like OTP codes, quick addresses, or any sensitive info you don’t want lingering in the chat forever.
The update first appeared in Android beta tests a few weeks ago and has now reached some iOS beta users (version 26.19.10.72 on TestFlight). Like most WhatsApp features, it’s being rolled out gradually, so not everyone can see it yet.
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You’ll be able to turn it on for individual chats or set it as a default. It works alongside the existing disappearing messages options (24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days from sending).
It’s a small but welcome tweak that gives users tighter control over their conversations — especially for anyone tired of messages disappearing too soon.
A wider release for all users is expected in the coming weeks, depending on how the beta testing goes.
*(Sources: WABetaInfo, 9to5Mac, Lowyat.net and Geo.tv)
