WhatsApp introduced disappearing messages in 2020 as a way for users to send messages that automatically delete after 7 days. This added a new level of privacy and security to WhatsApp messaging. But it also raised questions around exactly how disappearing messages work.
How do disappearing messages work in WhatsApp?
When enabled, disappearing messages will delete automatically 7 days after they are sent. This happens for both sides – the sender and the recipient. So if I send you a disappearing message, after 7 days it will be deleted from both my chat and your chat.
Some key points about how WhatsApp disappearing messages work:
- Can be enabled for new chats or existing chats
- Timer can be set for 24 hours or 7 days duration before messages delete
- Once enabled, all new messages in that chat will be disappearing messages
- Messages delete for both sender and recipient after duration expires
- Works for text messages, photos, videos, GIFs, documents, audio files, etc
- Deleted messages cannot be retrieved after they are deleted
Do quotes/previews of disappearing messages remain?
If you forward or reply to a disappearing message after the duration has expired, the content of the original disappearing message will not be included. However, a quote or preview without the content will still remain, indicating a disappearing message was sent at that time.
For example, if I send you a disappearing message that says “Want to get coffee today?” and after 7 days it disappears, if you later reply and say “Sure, let’s get coffee”, my chat will show your reply and a preview saying “You quoted a disappearing message”. So the content is gone but the fact a disappearing message existed remains.
Can disappearing messages be forwarded or backed up?
Disappearing messages cannot be forwarded, backed up, or copied to save the content once the duration has expired. If you try to forward a disappearing message after the 7 days, only the quote/preview will be sent without the content.
Backups also will not retain the actual content of disappearing messages after expiration. Cloud backups and local device backups will only show previews after the delete duration.
Do both sides need disappearing messages enabled?
No, only one side needs to have disappearing messages enabled for that chat. So if I have enabled disappearing messages in my settings, any messages I send to you will disappear after 7 days – even if you don’t have disappearing messages enabled on your side.
Can I retrieve a disappearing message after deletion?
Unfortunately, no. Once a disappearing message reaches its expiration and is deleted, there is no way to retrieve it on either side. The message is deleted from WhatsApp’s servers and there is no backup kept.
So if you need to keep a record of a disappearing message, you would need to take a screenshot or copy its text before the duration expires and it deletes.
How are media files handled in disappearing messages?
Disappearing messages apply to all message types – text, photos, videos, GIFs, voice messages, documents etc. Any media sent as a disappearing message will be deleted after the duration in the same way text messages are.
When you send a photo as a disappearing message, the recipient can view it normally until the deletion time when it will be removed from the chat. The same applies to videos, documents or other media formats.
Can I recover a deleted disappearing message?
Unfortunately no, there is no way to recover a message after it has been deleted as a disappearing message. Some key points:
- Messages are deleted from WhatsApp’s servers so cannot be retrieved
- Backups do not store the content after expiration
- Deleting the chat from your phone does not affect the message deletion
- There is no WhatsApp feature to request or restore deleted disappearing messages
So once the duration is met, disappearing messages are permanently deleted and cannot be retrieved by either party.
Do disappearing messages work in group chats?
Yes, disappearing messages can also be enabled for WhatsApp group chats. When enabled, any messages sent in the group will disappear after 7 days for all participants.
It’s important to note that any group member can enable disappearing messages in a WhatsApp group. So even if you don’t enable it yourself, another group member can turn on disappearing messages for the full group.
Can I quote a disappearing message?
You can still quote (or forward) a disappearing message after the deletion duration, but the content of the original message will not be included.
For example, if you quote a disappearing message that said “Dinner tonight?” after the 7 days, the quote will only show “You quoted a message” without the original text.
This prevents the content from being revealed after the disappearing message deletes. Only the fact that a message existed is shown.
How do I enable disappearing messages?
Turning on disappearing messages is quick and easy in WhatsApp:
- Open the WhatsApp chat
- Tap the contact’s name at the top
- Select Disappearing messages
- Choose the duration – 24 hours or 7 days
All new messages in that chat will now be enabled as disappearing messages!
Can I turn off disappearing messages?
Yes, you can disable disappearing messages at any time. To turn off disappearing messages:
- Open the WhatsApp chat
- Tap the contact’s name
- Select Disappearing messages
- Choose Off
This will disable disappearing messages for that chat. Existing messages that were sent with disappearing messages enabled will still delete after their duration expires.
What happens if I delete the chat?
Deleting the chat from your phone does not affect disappearing messages or when they get deleted. If you delete a chat that has disappearing messages enabled, those messages will still be deleted from the WhatsApp server after their normal expiration time.
Do disappearing messages work in Secret Chats?
WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature does not work in Secret Chats. Only normal chats support sending disappearing messages.
Secret Chats provide a different level of privacy and encryption compared to WhatsApp’s normal chats. Disappearing messages are not an option for Secret Chats.
Can I see if a contact has read my disappearing message?
Yes, you can still see read receipts and see when a recipient has read your disappearing messages, the same as normal WhatsApp messages. Read receipts will show if a recipient reads your disappearing message before it expires and is deleted.
Do deleted disappearing messages take up space?
No, disappearing messages do not continue taking up device storage space after they have been deleted. Once the duration expires and a disappearing message is deleted, it no longer occupies space on your phone.
So you don’t have to worry about old disappearing messages filling up your phone’s storage after they have been removed by WhatsApp.
Conclusion
Disappearing messages in WhatsApp provide a great way to add privacy and impermanence to your chats. Messages delete automatically from both sides after the chosen duration.
Once a disappearing message reaches its expiration time, it is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. But this gives you control over what information remains in your chats long term.
Understanding exactly how WhatsApp’s disappearing messages work helps you use them most effectively for keeping your chats private, temporary and secure.