WhatsApp regularly changes its application options. Among the latest new features, an icon intrigues many users, but it is nevertheless very useful.
We know the influence of social networks on our consumption habits. There is no shortage of applications so that everyone can find what they need. But for some time now, one American giant has attracted particular attention. This is obviously the Meta group, founded by the famous Mark Zuckerberg. The Californian giant’s four applications (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Messenger) are among the top 5 applications most used by the French. Although it has been undercut by competition for several years, Facebook is still the most used social network in France according to Médiamétrie. With its 29.3 million annual visitors per day, it occupies first place in the ranking among the ten applications most popular with the French in 2023. An increase of 6% compared to the year 2022.
But Meta doesn’t stop there. WhatsApp is respectively in second place in the ranking of the most used social networks and messaging services every day in France in 2023. The application brings together 24 million daily users, or 16% more than last year. Data which can be explained by the constant renewal of applications and the addition of new options.
The instant messaging service is updated very regularly to appeal and adapt to user desires. At the end of 2023, the application had completely overhauled its user interface. We can now have access to news from our favorite channels and it is also possible to create our own community. Recently, WhatsApp also revealed the arrival of a new button. The latter is identified by a small icon in the shape of a clock on your profile or your group photo. But what is it actually about?
This new option allows the user, if desired, to activate the ephemeral messaging service. By going to a group or a private discussion, you are asked to activate or not ephemeral messaging. Please note, this option is only active on new conversations. For your old messages, you must select them one by one to change this setting. Then, the application asks you to select a time frame between 24 hours and 90 days after sending new messages.
Once the option is activated, WhatsApp informs the user of the duration you have selected. The latter can, if he wishes, deactivate or change the duration of the option at any time from his phone, by pressing the message mentioning the activation of ephemeral messages. After the chosen period, the messages are deleted from the discussions. The social network defends this option for consumers wanting more confidentiality and storage savings.
Rest assured, it is entirely possible to deactivate this option by following specific steps. First, all you have to do is open a person’s chat and tap the name displayed at the top. Then, you will need to click on the ephemeral messages option and select the last option “Disabled”. Same thing for a WhatsApp group, but you will also be asked to select the discussions for which you want to deactivate these messages.
Finally, we advise you to reach an agreement with the person(s) in your various discussions regarding the activation of this ephemeral messaging option. It can be changed continuously simply by clicking “Tap to change”.
