How do I enable disappearing messages in WhatsApp only for myself?

How do I enable disappearing messages in WhatsApp only for myself - briefly?

To enable disappearing messages in WhatsApp only for yourself, navigate to the contact or group you want to set this feature for. Tap on the name at the top of the chat, select "Disappearing Messages," and choose your desired duration (24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days).

How do I enable disappearing messages in WhatsApp only for myself - in detail?

Enabling disappearing messages in WhatsApp for yourself alone involves a few simple steps that ensure your conversations are kept private and secure. Disappearing messages are designed to automatically delete after a set period, providing an extra layer of privacy. Here’s how you can enable this feature:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
  2. Access Settings: On the main screen, tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner to access the settings menu. Alternatively, you can swipe from left to right on the main chat list to reveal the options panel and then tap on "Settings".
  3. Navigate to Privacy: In the Settings menu, scroll down until you find the option labeled "Account". Tap on it to proceed.
  4. Select Disappearing Messages: Within the Account settings, locate the "Disappearing messages" option and tap on it. This feature allows you to manage how long your messages will last before they self-destruct.
  5. Choose a Time Frame: Once in the Disappearing Messages menu, you will see several time frames to choose from: 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. Select the duration that best suits your privacy needs.
  6. Confirm Your Selection: After choosing your preferred time frame, WhatsApp will ask for confirmation. Tap "OK" to enable disappearing messages for all your future chats.
  7. Existing Chats: It’s important to note that this setting only applies to new conversations. Messages in existing chats will not be affected by the disappearing messages feature unless you manually enable it within each specific chat. To do this, open an individual or group chat, tap on the contact's name at the top, select "Disappearing messages", and choose your desired duration.

By following these steps, you ensure that your WhatsApp messages are set to disappear after a specified period, adding an extra layer of privacy and security to your conversations.