WhatsApp reportedly working on a new feature for disappearing messages

WhatsApp is reportedly working on a ‘kept messages’ feature that will allow users to keep disappearing messages in chat even after their expiration time.

According to WABetaInfo, the feature is still under development but WhatsApp is working on introducing it by presenting information about an upgrade to disappearing messages in a future update of WhatsApp Desktop beta.

Also, WhatsApp says it will allow group admins to limit this feature. It is expected to roll out a new privacy setting that will allow group admins to toggle the ability to keep a disappearing message. Once disappearing messages are kept, they can then be viewed by all conversation participants in a new ‘kept messages’ section that will be created in chat info.

WhatsApp is also testing a feature that would allow users to delete the messages they sent as long as 2 days and 12 hours after sending them. Currently, users can only delete messages “for everyone” about an hour after sending them.

Another interesting feature being tested is “Voice Status”, a WhatsApp’s version of the “stories” features found on other platforms including Instagram and Snapchat, where users can record a quick audio note to share it on their Status tab, just like how they can currently send voice notes in WhatsApp chats.