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How to Recover WhatsApp View Once Photos Without a Screenshot?

Axel Nash
Axel Nash Originally published Jul 21, 25, updated Oct 27, 25
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"I want to recover some "View Once" photos from WhatsApp. Is there a way to do this since the photos were sent as View Once by mistake?"

WhatsApp's View Once feature provides enhanced privacy by making photos disappear after being viewed. However, this can be problematic when you accidentally open an important image or receive one sent by mistake. Since WhatsApp doesn't store these images after viewing, users often search for solutions to recover them.

Understanding how to recover WhatsApp View Once photos without screenshot can help you retrieve important information or sentimental memories. While this raises some privacy considerations, it can be justified when you have legitimate reasons to recover accidentally viewed media. This guide explores effective methods to recover disappeared View Once photos without screenshot.

In this article
    1. MobileTranshot
    2. View Once Plus Chrome Extension
    3. Ask the Sender to Resend

Part 1: Can You Recover WhatsApp View Once Photos Without Screenshot?

It is nearly impossible to recover a WhatsApp View Once photo after it has disappeared. Here's what you need to know about recovering View Once photos:

  • Automatic Deletion: WhatsApp's View Once feature automatically deletes photos after viewing and doesn't store them in chat history or backups.
  • Backup Possibility: The only way to recover is if you created a backup before opening the image. WhatsApp doesn't include View Once media in automatic backups.
  • No Cloud Storage: Once opened and disappeared, the photo isn't saved on your device or WhatsApp's servers, making recovery impossible through normal means.
  • Manual Backup Needed: You must manually download and backup View Once photos before opening them to have any chance of recovery.

Part 2: How to Recover WhatsApp View Once Photos Without Screenshot

Since WhatsApp prevents screenshots of View Once photos, here are alternative recovery methods:

Method 1. MobileTrans

MobileTrans View Once Recovery is the most reliable solution for recovering disappeared View Once media. This professional tool can scan your WhatsApp account and restore View Once photos, videos, and audio messages with high success rates.

Guide: How to Recover View Once Photos with MobileTrans

Step 1: Launch the MobileTrans App

Install MobileTrans on your computer, select WhatsApp Recovery, then choose View Once Recovery mode and click Start Recovery.

launch mobiletrans view once recovery

Step 2: Connect Your WhatsApp Account

Scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen using your phone's WhatsApp to link your account.

connect whatsapp via qr code

Step 3: Recover and Export Photos

The app will display all recoverable View Once media. Select the photos you want to restore and click Export to save them.

recover and export view once photos
Available on:
mobiletrans-horizontal
Recover WhatsApp View Once Messages in a Click
Pros
  • Encrypts all recovered images for privacy protection
  • User-friendly interface with simple recovery process
  • Recovers View Once videos and audio messages too
  • Compatible with all devices and computers
Cons
  • Currently only available in English
  • Requires account creation to use

Method 2. View Once Plus Chrome Extension

View Once Plus is a Chrome extension that lets you view View Once media multiple times on WhatsApp Web before opening on your phone.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Install the View Once Plus extension from Chrome Web Store
  2. Open WhatsApp Web and scan the QR code to link your account
  3. Click the View Once Plus icon in your browser toolbar
  4. Follow on-screen instructions to access View Once media
view once plus chrome extension
Pros
  • View View Once photos multiple times in browser
  • Works on both Windows and macOS
Cons
  • No password protection for recovered images
  • Only works before opening media on mobile

Method 3. Ask the Sender to Resend

The simplest method to recover WhatsApp view once photos without screenshot is asking the sender to resend the image normally (not as View Once). This ensures you can save, backup, and access the photo whenever needed.

Tips for Requesting Resend:

  • Explain you accidentally opened the View Once version
  • Request they send as a regular WhatsApp image
  • Ensure they still have the original photo to resend

Part 3: [Don't Miss] How to Check Hidden Last Seen on WhatsApp - WeLastseen

While recovering WhatsApp view once photos without screenshot, you might also want to track when contacts are online. WeLastseen helps you view hidden last seen statuses and online activity on WhatsApp.

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Track WhatsApp contacts' last seen status.
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Get instant online and offline notifications of them.
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Analyze their WhatsApp daily usage.
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Compare chat probabilities of two contacts.
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How to Use WeLastseen:

Step 1: Install WeLastseen

Download "WeLastseen: Chat App Tracker" from Google Play Store on your Android device.

download welastseen

Step 2: Add Contacts to Track

Open the app, tap "Add Contact," and select WhatsApp contacts you want to monitor.

add contacts in welastseen

Step 3: Start Tracking Activity

Tap "Start Tracking" to view the contact's last seen and online status.

start tracking in welastseen
Mutsapper-square
Track WhatsApp Last seen data
Pros
  • Accurate tracking of hidden last seen status
  • Monitors multiple contacts simultaneously
  • Customizable tracking options
Cons
  • Currently only available for Android devices

Conclusion

Recovering WhatsApp view once photos without screenshot is challenging but possible with the right tools. The most effective solution is MobileTrans View Once Recovery, which can restore disappeared media by scanning your WhatsApp account. Alternative methods include using the View Once Plus Chrome extension or simply asking the sender to resend the image normally.

For comprehensive WhatsApp monitoring, WaLastseen provides valuable insights into contacts' online activity, complementing your media recovery needs.

Available on:
mobiletrans-horizontal
Recover WhatsApp View Once Messages in a Click

FAQs

  • Where are WhatsApp View Once photos stored on my phone?
    View Once images aren't stored on your device after viewing. Unlike regular WhatsApp media, they're excluded from backups and automatically deleted after being opened.
  • Can you recover a WhatsApp View Once photo without backup?
    Without a backup, your options are limited to using recovery tools like MobileTrans or the View Once Plus extension before opening the image on your phone.
  • Can you see WhatsApp View Once photos twice?
    Normally no, but with MobileTrans you can recover and view them multiple times. Alternatively, using another device to photograph the screen before it disappears works.
  • What's the safest way to recover WhatsApp View Once photos?
    The safest method is asking the sender to resend normally. For already opened images, MobileTrans offers a secure recovery solution that encrypts your data.
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