WhatsApp is rolling out view-once text messages on Android
WhatsApp is finally bringing the view-once option to text messages on Android. When users send a view-once text message, the recipient can only open it once before it disappears from the conversation. With the view-once option, WhatsApp lets users control sensitive information they share in their chats.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | View-once text messages |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.45.6 is a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it's rolling out to more people over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Sc, Sniper, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out a new bottom navigation bar on Android! |
WhatsApp was testing a view-once option for text messages
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.22.7 update, we announced a view-once option for text messages. Users can already send photos, videos, and voice notes that disappear as soon as the recipient opens them. WhatsApp also wanted to give users a new feature to quickly share text messages that disappear after the recipient reads them. As a result, WhatsApp developed the view-once option for text messages.
WhatsApp is introducing view-once text messages on Android
Today, WhatsApp is making the view-once option available for text messages on Android. Users can type a message in the chat bar to send it as a view-once text from the same interface. We discovered this with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.45.6 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. With this update, WhatsApp is rolling out view-once text messages to some beta testers. This new feature lets users send ephemeral text messages that are protected from screenshots.
How to send a view-once text message on Android
If the view-once option is available for text messages, WhatsApp shows a tutorial toast at the bottom of the screen when users open a conversation. This toast informs users that they can press and hold the send button to apply the view-once option to the text message. This means that users need to type a message in the chat bar and press and hold the send button to show a menu. This menu lets users schedule the message or apply the view-once option. Once users select the option "view once", WhatsApp automatically sends the message. At the moment, users cannot schedule a view-once text message.
What the recipient sees when they receive a view-once text
WhatsApp does not show the message in the chat interface immediately when the recipient opens the conversation. Instead, the recipient needs to tap it to read the message in a separate interface. After the recipient closes this new screen, users can no longer open it again. In addition, WhatsApp replaces it with a new indicator in the chat to mark it as opened. This means that the sender can see when the recipient opened the message if they enabled read receipts. However, the message is no longer visible to either side.
What protections WhatsApp applies to view-once text messages
WhatsApp introduces several protections to view-once text messages. WhatsApp blocks screenshots and screen recordings while the recipient reads the message. As a result, they cannot capture the content from within the app. The recipient cannot copy the text, forward it to another chat, or save it. Since users cannot tap and hold on the message, these actions are not available. These protections make view-once text messages more secure when users wan tot share sensitive information.
When users can send view-once text messages
Users can apply the view-once option to text messages for several situations. For example, users can share a password or a one-time code without leaving it permanently in the conversation. This feature also helps users to keep the message private since it disappears from the chat history after the recipient reads it. Users can also use the view-once option to send a message that should not appear immediately when the recipient opens the conversation.
WhatsApp is rolling out view-once text messages to Android beta testers
View-once text messages are currently available to some users who install the latest update from the Google Play Store. WhatsApp is rolling the feature out gradually, so not every beta tester will see it immediately. If this feature does not appear in the send button menu yet, it should become available to more accounts over the coming weeks. WhatsApp has not announced when it will be available to everyone.
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