However, it seems that WhatsApp is aware of this particular shortfall and have announced that users will now have the option to set disappearing messages as the default for new chats. This means that when enabled, all new chats that you start will have disappearing messages turned on so you won’t have to remember to do it.
According to WhatsApp, “WhatsApp users will now have the option to turn on disappearing messages by default for all new chats. When enabled, all new one-on-one chats you or another person start will be set to disappear at your chosen duration, and we’ve added a new option when creating a group chat that lets you turn it on for groups you create. This new feature is optional and does not change or delete any of your existing chats.”
In addition, WhatsApp will also offer new duration options for disappearing messages. Previously it was set to 7 days, but users will now have the option for a shorter period of 24 hours, or a longer duration of 90 days.