New WhatsApp feature: text messages will also disappear after being viewed once

WhatsApp is preparing to enhance its popular 'View Once' feature. This functionality will now extend beyond photos and videos to include text messages, which will automatically disappear after being viewed once.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, testing for this feature has begun in the latest beta version of the Android app. Through this, beta users will be able to send text messages that the recipient can open and read only once.

Sharing Sensitive Information Made Easier

This new feature will allow users to temporarily share sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details. Once viewed, the message will vanish from the chat, minimizing the risk of the information remaining accessible later.

WhatsApp introduced the 'View Once' feature in August 2021, initially limiting it to photos and videos. At the time, the company noted that users could share items like Wi-Fi login credentials or other sensitive data via images, which would disappear after being opened once.

How ​​Does It Differ from 'Disappearing Messages'?

WhatsApp already offers a 'Disappearing Messages' option, where messages are automatically deleted after a set period.

However, the new 'View Once' text feature does not require setting a timer for an entire chat. Instead, a user can apply this setting to an individual message, which will then disappear as soon as the recipient opens it.

According to the report, such messages cannot be copied, forwarded, or saved, and taking screenshots of them will also be disabled.