How to turn disappearing messages on or off

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You can send messages that disappear after a set period of time on WhatsApp by turning disappearing messages on.
You can turn disappearing messages on for one or many existing chats, or set up disappearing messages by default for all new chats.
When you turn disappearing messages on, you can choose to have messages disappear after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. Disappearing messages can also be kept in the chat so they don't disappear.
New messages sent in the chat will disappear after the duration you select. This applies to new messages in the chat only, not to previous messages you’ve sent or received.

Turn disappearing messages on or off by default

Anyone can turn on disappearing messages by default. Once turned on, all new individual chats will default to using disappearing messages set to the duration you select.
  1. Tap Settings > Privacy.
  2. Tap Default message timer.
  3. Select 24 hours, 7 days, 90 days, or Off.
  4. If you want to apply the timer to existing chats, tap the chats you want to use disappearing messages in, then tap Apply.
  5. If you don't want to apply the timer to existing chats, tap
    more options
    to apply changes.

Turn on disappearing messages in a specific chat

Anyone can turn on disappearing messages in an individual chat. Once turned on, new messages in the chat will disappear after the duration you select.
  1. Open a chat.
  2. Tap the contact’s name or group subject.
  3. Tap Disappearing messages.
    • If prompted, tap Continue.
  4. Select 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
  5. Tap
    more options
    to apply changes.

Turn off disappearing messages in a specific chat


Anyone in the chat can disable disappearing messages at any time. You can keep specific messages to stop them from disappearing, as long as the duration time hasn’t passed.
If you disable disappearing messages, you can’t keep them.
  1. Open a chat.
  2. Tap the contact’s name or group subject.
  3. Tap Disappearing messages.
    • If prompted, tap Continue.
  4. Tap Off.
  5. Tap
    more options
    to apply changes.

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