WhatsApp New Auto-Delete Feature: Messages to Vanish After 15 Minutes?

WhatsApp is developing a latest privacy feature that will automatically delete messages after they have been read, a function currently dubbed “After Reading,” according to reports surfacing on March 22, 2026. The feature, detected in the latest Android beta version 2.26.12.2, is designed to offer users greater control over the lifespan of their conversations, particularly for sensitive information.

The “After Reading” function will delete messages from both the sender and recipient’s chat history 15 minutes after they are viewed. If a message remains unread, it will automatically disappear after 24 hours, providing a failsafe for messages that aren’t immediately opened. This builds upon WhatsApp’s existing disappearing message feature, which currently allows users to set messages to vanish after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.

The new feature is intended to address a specific need for quicker message deletion, particularly for data like one-time passwords (OTPs) or confidential information that users may seek to remove from their chat history immediately after it has been shared, and viewed. According to sources, the feature will also function even when read receipts are disabled, ensuring messages are deleted from the sender’s phone after 15 minutes regardless of whether the recipient has seen them.

WhatsApp is currently fine-tuning the timing mechanism to ensure reliable performance across all users. The company has not yet announced a launch date, and the feature remains in the testing phase, with initial rollout planned for select beta testers. While the feature is still under development, it signals a continued emphasis on privacy and message control within the Meta-owned messaging platform.

The development of “After Reading” comes as WhatsApp continues to explore ways to enhance the security of user communications. While users can currently take screenshots or copy and paste messages, the auto-delete function aims to minimize the potential for long-term storage of sensitive data within chats.