The instant messaging platform WhatsApp had previously announced the development of a 'View Once' feature but the exact functioning remained unclear at that time. However, according to the WaBetaInfo, a website that tracks WhatsApp, the company is now rolling out the new feature on its beta version for Android.
View Once is a feature where a user can send media files that will automatically disappear the moment after the receiver views them. Photos and videos will disappear once the receiver opens it and leaves the chat. According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is rolling out the view once feature to WhatsApp beta for Android 2.21.14.3 version.
As per WaBetaInfo, Android users will be able to send disappearing photos by just choosing photos from the gallery.
"We talked about a feature called expiring media in the last months, better known as view once: photos and videos sent using this mode can only be viewed once, and they disappear from the chat after you dismiss the photo or the video," the WaBetaInfo reported.
To check the availability, Android testers need to open a chat, add a media file like a video or photo, and look for the circular icon with '1' on the right side of the caption bar.
When you send photos and videos using view once, they can only be viewed once, and you're notified when the recipient has opened them.
"If you disable read receipts, the recipient will still see if you have opened the photo or video set to view once, but you cannot see when the recipient open yours. In groups you can see when other participants open expiring photos even if you have disabled read receipts," the report said.
Despite the limitation of viewing the media once, the recipient can still take screenshot of the media and WhatsApp will not notify the sender because there is no screenshot detection on the app yet.
The new View Once feature can also work in groups. Media shared with this feature can be viewed once by each member of the group. The sender can find out who opened the media by clicking on Message Info.
