WhatsApp ‘View Once’ feature INSTANTLY deletes photos after opening – how to use it
WHATSAPP is making it safer for users to send racy snaps to one another.
The company has begun rolling out the ability to share self-destructing photos and videos through its app that vanish after they’re viewed.
- Read all the latest Phones & Gadgets news
- Keep up-to-date on Apple stories
- Get the latest on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram
WhatsApp introduced disappearing messages last year that go up in a puff of smoke after a short period of time set by the sender.
The Facebook-owned app, which boasts 2.5billion users worldwide, is now expanding and improving that capability for media files.
The feature, which is still in the early stages of development, was unearthed by on Wednesday.
The tech guru regularly discloses WhatsApp features before they’re released by trawling through the code of early “beta” versions of the app.
According to WABetaInfo, the new feature can be toggled on or off in settings and is called “view once”.
“Photos and videos sent using this mode can only be viewed once,” they wrote.
“They disappear from the chat after you dismiss the photo or the video.”
When sharing media, you can set a photo or video to View Once by tapping the new button that appears next to the text box.
The button is a “1” surrounded by a ring.
Photos and videos sent using the feature can only be viewed once, and you’ll be notified when the recipient has seen them.
The media will disappear after it’s been opened.
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg that the feature was coming to WhatsApp in the near future.
Best Phone and Gadget tips and hacks
Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find those secret features within social media apps? We have you covered...
- How to get your deleted Instagram photos back
- How can I change my Facebook password?
- How can I do a duet on TikTok?
- Here’s how to use your iPhone’s Apple logo as a BUTTON
- How can I change my Amazon Alexa voice in seconds?
- What is dating app Bumble?
- How can I increase my Snapchat score?
- How can I test my broadband internet speed?
- Here’s how to find your Sky TV remote in SECONDS
It’s finally arriving on Android, with a roll out to users on the Android beta programme beginning on Wednesday.
The feature will be released to Android users worldwide in a future update. It’s also planned for release on the iOS version of the app.
To use View Once, you’ll need to be a member of WhatsApp’s beta programme.
Members of the programme test out WhatsApp updates before they’re released to the wider public to look for bugs.
In other news, WhatsApp is said to be working on a redesign of its voice message feature for iPhone and Android users.
Check out the most likely iPhone 13 release date.
This clever iPhone trick scans paper documents in seconds.
And read our guide to 5G here.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk