WhatsApp is finally going to let people ‘unsend’ their messages very soon, say reports
You'll be able to recall texts, images, videos, GIFs, documents, quoted messages and even Status replies
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WhatsApp’s hotly anticipated ‘Recall’ feature has moved a step closer to reality.
The new functionality, which would allow you to delete things you’ve already sent, is expected to be enabled by the company imminently.
Recall – also widely known as Unsend and Revoke – will work on all types of messages, including texts, images, videos, GIFs, documents, quoted messages and even Status replies, but only if they were sent within a five-minute window.
Anything you sent more than five minutes ago will unfortunately be there to stay.
According to WABetaInfo, a fan site that tests new WhatsApp features early, the messaging app will enable Recall in version “2.17.30+” of the app.
Version 2.17.30 has just hit the App Store, but Recall hasn’t been switched on yet. The latest version of WhatsApp currently in the Play Store is build 2.17.190.
Asked if it expects the feature to be enabled in the current build, WABetaInfo tweeted,”The code says yes. They can wait more, but it's sure that it can be enabled in 2.17.30.”
As noted by the site, Recall is a “hidden feature” that’s disabled by default, and it will be enabled remotely as soon as WhatsApp’s developers think it’s bug-free and ready to go out.
That could happen at any moment, but there’s no way of knowing exactly when.
WhatsApp is also believed to be considering bringing back the old Contacts list that vanished with the arrival of Status, but only for iPhone users.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments