WhatsApp New Feature: WhatsApp now lets you send photos and videos that can only be viewed once by recipients. The new change initially started rolling out to the iPhone users through a new WhatsApp version on Tuesday. However, shortly thereafter, the instant messaging app announced its rollout for all users, including the ones on Android. WhatsApp has been testing the ‘View Once’ feature for some time to essentially enable photos and videos to disappear from the chat after they are viewed by the recipient. However, it doesn’t restrict people from keeping a record of the media content by simply taking their screenshots.
.According to a report by WABetaInfo, once the image or video is shared in this mode, the sender can keep a track of the status of the message. The sender will be able to check if the message has been delivered, seen and opened.
While the recipient will get one chance to view it, he or she will be able to take a screenshot of the media. The sender will not be notified about the screenshot, because the app still does not have screenshot detection.
The feature was previously referred to as expiring media messages. It is worth noting that Signal, widely considered the world’s most secure messaging app has had this feature since January 2020.
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The View Once feature is available in groups. Each member will get a chance to view the media. The sender will also be able to check who in the group has opened the media and who has not.
Blocked contacts can still interact with each other in groups and hence will still be able to view the media under ‘View Once’.
For users who have disabled read receipts, the report states that if a user has disabled read receipts for messages, they will not be able to see when a View Once photo has been opened. However, recipients might be able to see when that user has opened a View Once photo sent by them. Blocked users in common groups will also be able to see these images. Similarly, just like read receipts continue to work in groups, WhatsApp will show when all participants have opened a photo set to view once, even if some of them have disabled read receipts.
How to send View Once media on WhatsApp?
Step 1: Open WhatsApp and tap on the attachment icon.
Step 2: Then, go to Gallery and select the photo or video you want to send to your contact.
Step 3: After selecting it, you will see a clock-like icon in the ‘Add a caption’ bar, just tap on it to enable the View Once feature. Once you enable it, the app will show a message saying “Photo set to View Once.” You can then send disappearing photos to your friends and family members.
