New Delhi: WhatsApp is quietly working on a set of new features aimed at tightening privacy and making chat management less of a headache. The updates
have been spotted in recent Android beta builds and are still under development, meaning they haven’t reached most users yet.
The focus is on two fronts: giving users more control over how long their messages stay visible, and making it easier to organise busy chat lists. For anyone who handles sensitive conversations daily, these could be genuinely useful additions.
After Reading: Messages that delete themselves
WhatsApp is testing a feature called “After reading” that automatically deletes a message once it has been opened. Unlike the current disappearing messages option, which works on a timer, this one is triggered the moment a message is read.
If a message goes unread, it won’t stay in the chat indefinitely either. It will disappear on its own after a set period. The feature is also expected to function even when read receipts are turned off, adding an extra layer of discretion for the sender.
An Upgrade Over ‘View Once’
WhatsApp already has a “View Once” feature option for photos, videos, and voice notes, restricting them to a single viewing. The “After reading” feature appears to take that same logic and apply it to regular text messages.
This means users could soon control how long their words stay on screen not just in one-on-one chats, but potentially in group conversations too.
WhatsApp Plus: A paid tier is coming
Separately, WhatsApp is developing a subscription-based plan called “WhatsApp Plus.” One confirmed perk is the ability to pin more chats at the top of the list — a small but practical fix for power users managing multiple threads at once.
Unified settings for chat lists
The subscription plan is also expected to bring smarter chat list management. WhatsApp already lets users create custom lists to separate work and personal conversations. The upcoming update would let users apply shared settings themes, notification tones, and call ringtones across an entire list at once.
Any new chat added to that list would automatically inherit those settings, cutting out repetitive manual adjustments.
These features are still being tested and will roll out gradually once development is complete.
