Unveiling a New Feature: WhatsApp Expands View-Once Media Experience to Desktop Apps and Web Platforms
WhatsApp has already integrated a feature for disappearing messages, automatically deleting sent messages after a predefined time. Users of WhatsApp can also transmit photos and videos with a unique twist—they can only be viewed once before vanishing from the chat. Notably, this latter feature is presently exclusive to Android and iOS users. Despite being available in the past for desktop and web versions, it was withdrawn due to security concerns. Now, there are reports suggesting that the social media giant is reintroducing the “View Once” functionality for photos and videos on WhatsApp Web and the desktop versions.
Per a report from WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is in the process of deploying the “view once” feature for photos and videos on the web and desktop iterations of the app. A screenshot accompanying the report highlights the button to activate the “view once” option for media, prominently positioned within the caption bar in the drawing editor on the WhatsApp for Windows platform. The report further reveals that this “view once” option is being extended to Windows, macOS, and linked devices such as iPads. Additionally, WhatsApp is rolling out this feature on the WhatsApp Web platform, as per the report.
This feature is gradually becoming accessible to eligible users, with some having already experienced its rollout over the past few weeks, according to the report. If you haven’t spotted the option on your desktop or web apps just yet, rest assured it’s on its way. Ensure that your applications are updated to their latest versions for optimal functionality.
The report highlights that the Meta-owned platform is reintroducing this feature on desktop and web platforms, reversing its initial decision based on public feedback and demands. Although security concerns prompted its initial removal, user feedback indicated that the “view once” feature is valued for allowing the viewing of media files without consuming excessive phone storage.
In a related development, beginning in December, WhatsApp backups on Android will continue unabated, provided users maintain sufficient cloud storage space in their Google accounts. Users nearing their storage limit will need to free up space on Google Drive to resume backups. Notably, for those concerned about chat storage, activating the “Disappearing Messages” option in the app is a viable solution.
WhatsApp has also introduced a service prompting users to associate their email addresses with their WhatsApp accounts. While this information remains invisible to WhatsApp contacts, it serves as a secondary identifier, facilitating the sending of verification codes and similar communication, complementing the primary identifier—the phone number.