What feature allows messages to vanish after a set time?

The feature that makes WhatsApp messages vanish after a set time is called disappearing messages.

When disappearing messages are enabled, new messages in an individual or group chat are automatically deleted after the selected duration. WhatsApp introduced the feature as a way to reduce the lasting record of conversations and to make chats feel more temporary, especially for routine or sensitive exchanges.

Disappearing messages are not the same as the Delete for Everyone command. Delete for Everyone removes a particular sent message when the sender actively chooses that option, while disappearing messages apply automatically to eligible new messages after a timer is set. They also should not be treated as a guarantee that content can never be retained: recipients may copy, forward, screenshot, or photograph messages before they disappear.

The feature is also distinct from view-once media, which is designed for photos and videos that can be opened only once. WhatsApp offers disappearing-message timers for different periods, depending on the app's current settings and rollout.