Messaging app WhatsApp submitted an update to the TestFlight beta program on Tuesday introducing expiring groups, according to WABetaInfo, which provides news and updates about the app.
After beta testing is complete, the update will allow users to set their groups to expire on a specific date. When the feature is turned on in the app settings, it will prompt the user to clean up groups on their expiration date. They will be able to select an expiration time of one day, one week or a custom date, or they can remove a previously set expiration.
WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.5.0.71: what's new?WhatsApp is working on expiring groups as an additional tool to save space, for a future update of the app!https://t.co/LG37bdLyIN
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 7, 2023
Utility of the new feature
The report noted that this is a good storage tool that will be helpful for groups created for specific events like birthdays.
The expiring groups feature is expected to be released in a future update.
The Jerusalem Post reported in October that WhatsApp, the most popular app in Israel, is used more frequently in the country than SMS messaging.
“One of the more important aspects of WhatsApp is the fact that it is social media, similar even to more traditional social media like Facebook or Twitter — because it’s not only written messages that you can send, you can also send images and visuals and audio and stickers,” said Dr. Gilad Greenwald, a professor at the Bar-Ilan University School of Communication, according to the report. “That’s probably one of the most important elements that drive people to use WhatsApp as their main technology in order to communicate daily.”
Zachy Hennessey contributed to this report.