WhatsApp is developing a new disappearing messages option that deletes texts within 15 minutes of being read, a significant tightening of the platform’s existing privacy tools and a direct response to the problem of sensitive information lingering indefinitely in chat histories.
The feature, called “After Reading,” was spotted by WABetaInfo in WhatsApp’s Android beta version 2.26.12.2. It is still under development and not yet available even to beta testers, but the mechanics are already clear from the code.
Once enabled, the feature starts a strict 15-minute countdown the moment a recipient opens a message. After 15 minutes, the message is automatically deleted from both the sender’s and receiver’s chats. If the recipient never opens the message, it remains in the chat for up to 24 hours before expiring automatically. Users will have the option to enable the feature on a per-chat basis or apply it across all conversations.
The system works independently of read receipts. Even if a user has turned off blue ticks, WhatsApp will still detect when the message is opened and trigger the deletion countdown. This means the privacy mechanism cannot be bypassed by disabling read confirmations.
WhatsApp already offers disappearing messages with timers of 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days, along with a “View Once” option for photos, videos, and voice notes that can only be opened a single time. But the current timer options are too long for situations where users need to share genuinely sensitive information like one-time passwords, verification codes, addresses, or financial details. A password shared in a chat with a 24-hour disappearing timer still sits exposed for an entire day. The “After Reading” feature closes that gap substantially.
The feature builds on a broader pattern of privacy enhancements WhatsApp has been rolling out in recent months. The platform recently introduced in-app message translation across all 180 countries, and has been testing a paid “WhatsApp Plus” subscription tier with advanced customisation features. WhatsApp also added message scheduling capabilities earlier this year after 17 years without the feature.
Meta has not announced a launch date for “After Reading.” The feature is expected to arrive in a future update once development and testing are complete.
