WhatsApp already allows users to send photos, videos and voice messages that disappear after the recipient views or listens to them once through its “View Once” feature. The company has been testing the same functionality for text messages over the past few months. It is now available to some Android beta users.
According to WABetaInfo, the one-time-view text message feature has been rolled out to some users running WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.45.6.
How Does WhatsApp’s “View Once” Feature for Text Messages Work?
The “View Once” option for text messages works in much the same way as it does for photos, videos and voice messages. A text message sent using this option disappears from the recipient’s device after it has been read.
To send one, users need to type their message, press and hold the send button, and select the “View Once” option. The first time they use the feature, WhatsApp displays information explaining how it works. Users can proceed by tapping “OK”.
The content of a View Once text message does not appear directly in the chat window. Recipients must tap the message to open it in a separate interface. Once they close that screen, they cannot open the message again. WhatsApp also marks it as opened. If the recipient has read receipts enabled, the sender can see that the message has been read.
After the message has been opened, neither the sender nor the recipient can access it again. Recipients cannot copy, forward or save its contents. WhatsApp also blocks screenshots and screen recordings within the app while the message is open.
The feature offers an additional privacy option for sharing sensitive information, but it does not guarantee complete protection. A recipient can still use another device to photograph the message. Neither WhatsApp nor the sender can prevent this.
WABetaInfo also reports that View Once text messages cannot be scheduled. It remains unclear whether this limitation will change before the feature becomes available to all users.
