Messages that disappear are finally here on WhatsApp. You can now use them in the updated version of Android and iOS app. However, many people have confusion and questions regarding the functionality, and much less is known about it. So here we are with some hidden things you need to know about WhatsApp messages disappearance in the form of detailed FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Missing WhatsApp Messages: 10 Things You Should Know
With messages disappearing, anyone with the latest version of WhatsApp can send self-destructing messages to their contacts. Once activated for a particular contact, messages sent or received from that person are automatically deleted after 7 days. If you don’t know how to activate or send disappearing messages on WhatsApp, click here to see our detailed guide on this.
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Below, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the lesser known aspects of WhatsApp messages disappearing. This will help you get a better idea of the function and use it correctly on your phone.
1. Do messages only disappear for specific contacts?
Yes. As of now, there are no shortcuts or switches to enable disappearing messages for all contacts at once. Instead, you have to manually activate it for a particular contact using the “ Missing Messages ” option under their chat profile.
2. Will someone else be notified if I turn on messages disappearing?
Yes. Once you’ve turned on disappearing messages for a particular contact, you’ll be notified in the chat, just as you are notified of security code changes when you change devices.
3. Can it be activated for WhatsApp groups?
Yes. In addition to chats with individual contacts, messages that disappear can also be used in groups. However, only group admins will be able to activate the feature in a group chat.
4. Can I prevent other people from using messages that disappear in my chats?
You can’t completely prevent others from using disappearing messages for your chats. However, you can deactivate it through your profile option. It is a mutual function and either party can turn it on / off in a one-on-one chat.
5. What happens to old WhatsApp messages?
Messages sent or received before the disappearance of messages function was activated will not be affected. You can still see them as normal messages. So you don’t have to worry about deleting your old chats.
6. How do I check if someone has activated my endangered messages?
To check if someone has turned on disappearing messages for you, open chat with them. Here you will see the alert message, which says “Contact XYZ activated disappearance messages.”
When the feature is activated, you will also see a small clock next to the profile picture of the person in the chat. If the clock is not visible, the function is not activated. You can also check it by looking at the messages that disappear on his profile.
7. Will the other person be notified if I take screenshots of the messages?
The recently launched leak mode on Instagram and Facebook notifies the other user when taking screenshots. However, this is not the case with WhatsApp. Your endangered messages can be easily captured and you can do the same without notifying the other party.
8. Will quoted or forwarded messages disappear after 7 days?
With the “Delete for All” feature released earlier, the post would still be visible if others cite or forward it. The same goes for messages that disappear.
If someone quotes a reply to your post or forwards it somewhere, it will still be visible after 7 days, even if the original post has been deleted. So take note of it.
9. What will happen to the downloaded images, videos and other files?
Any media or files that have not been downloaded will disappear after the 7 day period. However, if an image or video has been downloaded to your phone’s memory, it will remain there even after disappearing from chat.
All WhatsApp files and media are accessible in the WhatsApp folder on your phone’s memory. By default, WhatsApp automatically downloads media content to your phone’s memory unless it is disabled.
10. Will WhatsApp backup messages disappear?
WhatsApp messages that disappear will be saved as normal chats. However, if you try to restore them after 7 days, the messages that disappear will not be restored, they will be automatically deleted after their time expires.
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These are lesser known facts about WhatsApp messages disappearance in the form of frequently asked questions. Hope you now get to know a larger aspect of the feature and use it properly on your phone. If you have any other questions on the same topic, let me know in the comments below.
Also Read – WhatsApp OTP scam: what is it and how to protect your account
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