WhatsApp Tests View Once Text Messages for Disappearing Chats

WhatsApp has begun testing a new privacy feature that lets users send text messages designed to disappear as soon as the recipient reads them, according to a report by WABetaInfo. The option, called View Once for text messages, is currently reaching a limited group of Android beta testers running WhatsApp version 2.26.45.6.

The company already offers View Once for photos, videos and voice notes, and the latest test extends that same approach to ordinary text. Unlike standard disappearing messages, which stay visible until a chosen timer runs out, a View Once text becomes inaccessible the moment the recipient opens and closes it.

Using the feature is straightforward. A user types the message in the chat box, presses and holds the send button, and selects the View Once option. The first time it is used, WhatsApp shows an explanation of how the feature works, which the user must acknowledge by tapping OK before continuing.

After sending, the message does not appear as readable text inside the conversation. Instead, the recipient sees a placeholder that must be tapped to open the content in a separate viewing screen. Once that screen is closed, the message disappears permanently. If read receipts are enabled, the sender is notified that the message has been opened.

WhatsApp has built in several safeguards to stop recipients from keeping copies. The app blocks copying, forwarding and saving the message, and it also prevents screenshots and screen recordings while the content is open. After the recipient closes the message, neither party can access its contents again.

The rollout is still limited to beta users, and WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for a wider release. The move reflects the platform's continued focus on privacy tools as messaging rivals compete over features that give users more control over how long their conversations remain visible.