Cover image via Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
WhatsApp is quietly rolling out a fresh privacy feature for iPhone users that lets texts vanish after they are read
If you are on the iOS beta via TestFlight, you might see a new 'After reading' option appear in your settings.
Unlike standard disappearing messages, which count down from the moment you hit send, this feature holds its breath.
The countdown only begins once the recipient opens the message, giving you greater control over your digital footprint.
Users can keep messages alive for five minutes, one hour, or 12 hours after they are opened. Once that timer runs out, the platform completely wipes the text from existence.
If a message remains unread, WhatsApp automatically deletes it after 24 hours to ensure sensitive data does not linger forever
According to 9to5Mac, this setting works alongside existing options like the 24-hour, seven-day, and 90-day timers.
Interestingly, the sender and recipient may experience different countdowns since the sender's timer starts at transmission, while the recipient's starts at opening
This manual option adds to a growing list of safety tools, including chat lock, secret codes, view-once media, and screen-sharing restrictions.
While it is only available to select iOS beta testers right now, a wider public release could follow soon.
Follow SAYS Tech on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok for the latest in tech in Malaysia and the world!
Read more trending stories on SAYS
PlayStation Gamers Boycott Consoles As Sony Moves Away From Physical Discs
Sony confirms it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs in January 2028, sparking protests among fans.
