WhatsApp has rolled out a new beta update for the Android users which takes the version number to 2.18.69. And this update brings a massive change to the recently introduced Delete for Everyone feature. WhatsApp has changed the deadline to delete a message to 4096 seconds, from the earlier 420 seconds deadline. This essentially means that a user can now delete a message even after 68 minutes and 16 seconds. That said, this feature is currently available only for Android users, and will be followed for iOS users very soon. And as usual, this news is reported by popular WhatsApp watcher WABetaInfo.
"You can now delete messages for everyone sent within 4096 seconds, that is 68 minutes and 16 seconds. Following iOS soon," said the publication in a blog post. This is the only feature made available to users in this beta release, however, the report also added that the company had made some changes to the forthcoming features such as Stickers.
When the WhatsApp Stickers feature goes official, the company will allow users to forward stickers, and it also made some changes to the Stickers icons. The report also highlighted that the GIF section is currently broken, meaning WhatsApp will crash while sending a GIF. This problem existed in the previous beta release as well as I experienced it personally while sending a GIF to any chat or group chat. However, to avoid this issue, you can send GIFs via WhatsApp Web.
On the whole, the increase in a deadline of sent messages is a welcome move, but there are some flaws in the Delete for Everyone feature. For example, the Delete for Everyone feature doesn't work when someone quotes your sent messages, even after you delete it.
In the coming updates, WhatsApp will enable Stickers and group voice & video calling. As stated, the extension of the deadline for deleted messages is available only for Android users at the moment, but it will be rolled out to iOS users very soon.
