WhatsApp is expanding testing for its new View-Once disappearing messages feature. The company started testing it on Android last month, and now the feature has also appeared on iOS. The feature was spotted in the WhatsApp beta version 26.19.10.72 for iOS. The update adds a new way for users to send messages that disappear shortly after being read.

Users can enable the feature through the “After reading” option inside the default message timer settings. The menu is available under Default message timer > Message timer. Once enabled, users can choose a countdown period of 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours.

The timer starts after the recipient opens the message. For example, if someone sends a message at 10 AM with a 5-minute timer, the message will disappear from the sender’s device at 10:05 AM. However, if the recipient reads it at 10:10 AM, the message will vanish from their device at 10:15 AM.

WhatsApp has also added a backup option for unread messages. If the recipient never opens the message, it will disappear automatically after 24 hours.

The feature aims to give users more control over private chats and temporary conversations. It also builds on WhatsApp’s existing disappearing messages system by adding a read-based timer instead of a fixed countdown.

According to WABetaInfo, the feature is currently available to selected iOS beta testers. However, WhatsApp has not confirmed when it plans to roll out the feature widely for Android and iOS users.