WhatsApp is reintroducing the ‘View Once’ feature, known for its privacy-oriented functionality, allowing users to send photos and videos that disappear from the recipient’s chat after a single viewing. Removed a year ago, this feature is reportedly making a comeback on WhatsApp’s desktop apps. The move follows criticism for limiting users from sharing ‘View Once’ media on desktop applications.
The latest reports from WABetainfo suggest that WhatsApp has decided to reinstate support for sending ‘View Once’ photos and videos across all desktop apps. This development is gradually rolling out to users in the coming weeks. The ‘View Once’ button is now available in the caption bar within the drawing editor on WhatsApp for Windows.
WhatsApp has not only restored this feature for its Windows application but also extended support for sending ‘View Once’ messages on WhatsApp for macOS and linked devices in recent weeks. It’s worth noting that WhatsApp Web had already received the ability to send ‘View Once’ photos and videos.
The ‘View Once’ feature allows users to send media that can only be viewed once, preventing it from being saved to the recipient’s gallery or forwarded. Additionally, the sender is notified only when the recipient opens the media if read receipts are enabled. If the recipient doesn’t access the photo or video within 14 days, it expires from the chat. The sender must choose ‘View Once’ for each instance they want to send such media.
It’s noteworthy that unopened ‘View Once’ media can be restored from backup, but if the recipient has already opened it, the media won’t be included in the backup and cannot be restored. WhatsApp’s reintroduction of this feature underscores its commitment to privacy-centric options for users.
