WhatsApp Advanced Search Rolling Out for Android Beta Users, Expiring Messages Feature Details Tipped

Few users should be able to spot the Advanced Search feature between WhatsApp v2.20.197.7 beta for Android and WhatsApp v2.20.197.10 beta for Android.

Advertisement
By Tasneem Akolawala | Updated: 6 August 2020 15:09 IST
Highlights
  • Advanced Search feature lets users narrow down search to file type
  • Expiring Messages will delete chats automatically after seven days
  • Based on screenshots, anyone can turn this feature on and off

Few users on WhatsApp beta for Android should be able to use Advanced Search feature

Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out the Advanced Search Mode for beta testers on Android. This feature is gradually being enabled for beta users, which means it should be seen if on the latest beta. This feature was spotted under development on various occasions in the past, and now it appears to be available for testing for beta users. Furthermore, WhatsApp has also been spotted making improvements to the anticipated Expiring Messages feature. New screenshots give us a glimpse how this feature is intended to work when it launches commercially.

Starting with Advanced Search Mode, WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo notes that the feature is finally rolling out for certain beta testers. Few users should be able to spot it between WhatsApp v2.20.197.7 beta for Android and WhatsApp v2.20.197.10 beta for Android. The tracker reports that WhatsApp is enabling this feature from server side for a few beta testers. The activation seems to be partial and slow, as WhatsApp wants to ensure that there are no crashes or bugs. Gadgets 360 wasn't able to spot this feature on the latest Android beta. Once activated, the Advanced Search feature should allow users to narrow down their search to photos, videos, links, GIFs, audio, and even documents.

Advertisement

The latest WhatsApp v2.20.197.10 beta for Android also tips progress in the long anticipated Expiring messages feature.

A new panel that introduces the Expiring Messages feature was spotted in WhatsApp
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

Advertisement

This introduction page reveals details on how this feature looks to work when it launches. It is discovered that anyone can turn on and off expiring messages in chats. For groups, only group admins can toggle the option, and messages sent and received when the feature was disabled won't be affected. Once enabled, new messages will disappear from the chat after seven days.

Apart from chats, media will also expire in the chat as well, but some images/videos might be previously saved before the expiration. The tracker notes that even expiring messages are always end-to-end encrypted. There is no word on when this feature will be enabled for beta testers. For now it is under development, and users may not see it even if they are on the latest beta.


In 2020, will WhatsApp get the killer feature that every Indian is waiting for? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.

 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement
Popular Mobile Brands
  1. LG Channels: 150+ Free Channels, Zero Extra Hardware
  2. Noise Homestage 5.2.4 With 700W Output, Dolby Atmos Launched in India
  3. iQOO 16 With a Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 SoC Debuts: See Price
  4. HMD Vibe 2 Pro 5G Launched in India With 64-Megapixel Sony Camera, 6,000mAh Battery
  5. Two New The Last of Us Games Are in Early Stages of Development
  6. Vivo V80 Could Be More Expensive Than Its Predecessor, Leak Suggests
  7. iQOO Pad Ultra Launched With 165Hz OLED Display, 9,020mAh Battery
  1. iQOO Pad Ultra Launched With 165Hz OLED Display, 9,020mAh Battery: Price, Specifications
  2. Ethereum Network to Undergo Major Speed Upgrade Test on October 6
  3. Galaxy S27 Ultra Camera Processing May Change From Galaxy S26 Ultra; Might Drop Dedicated 3X Telephoto Lens
  4. Noise Homestage Soundbar Series Launched in India With Dolby Atmos, Up to 700W Output: Price, Features
  5. Indian Rhythm Action Game Suri: The Seventh Note Will Launch on October 30; Pre-Orders Now Live
  6. iQOO 16 Launched With Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Chipset, Samsung M16 AMOLED Display: Price, Features
  7. OpenAI Sets Up Australia Task Force After AI Models Accessed Government Websites Without Authorisation
  8. NEAR Intents Blocks Over $50 Million Linked to $387.5 Million Bitget Hack
  9. Samsung One UI 9 Update Rolls Out With New Features for Galaxy S26 Users in the US: Report
  10. OpenAI Reportedly Scraps GPT-6.1 Astra Release Due to Safety and Alignment Issues
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.