WhatsApp is removing the ability to send and open view once messages on Desktop
After releasing some improvements for the drawing editor, that lets now apply two different blur effect to images on the desktop client, WhatsApp is now introducing some changes for view once images and videos on all their Desktop apps!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Changes for view once messages |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | All recent builds of WhatsApp Desktop, WhatsApp for Windows, and WhatsApp for macOS, are marked as compatible updates. |
| I've installed this update but I don't see this feature, why? | WhatsApp is rolling out this feature to certain beta testers so if you don't have this feature, please wait for a future update. |
| Thanks: | SamSpencer, Sc, and mateusmarquezini, for testing and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 22.23.0.71: what’s new? WhatsApp is releasing the ability to set up an avatar, a new way to be you on WhatsApp! |
CHANGES FOR VIEW ONCE MESSAGES
Last month, WhatsApp released a new feature called screenshot blocking on WhatsApp for Android and iOS: thanks to this feature, there is an additional layer of security when sending view once messages since they cannot be saved by taking a screenshot or a video recording. Due to a matter of consistency with the screenshot blocking feature, WhatsApp is removing the ability to send and open view once messages on Desktop starting today, November 1:
As you can see in this screenshot, you cannot open a view once message anymore since this feature is no longer supported on all desktop apps for added privacy: this includes WhatsApp Web/Desktop (Electron version), WhatsApp for Windows (Universal Windows Platform version), and WhatsApp beta for macOS (native Catalyst app). In addition, you cannot even send a view once message starting today. The changes are needed otherwise users would have opened the view once message on Desktop in order to take a screenshot.
Obviously, the recipient may still take a photo to the view once message by using a secondary mobile phone so be always careful when sending a view once image or video: it is always better to not trust.
WhatsApp is removing the ability to send and open view once messages on Desktop today. If you can still send and open such media, note that the changes will also be available for your WhatsApp account very soon: it's only a matter of time before the wider rollout reaches your account.
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