WhatsApp's View Once feature has added a new layer of privacy to how we share media. Whether you're sending sensitive images or videos that shouldn’t be saved, this WhatsApp one-time view option ensures your content can only be viewed once—then it disappears. But what exactly does this feature do, and what should you know before using it?
In this guide, we'll break down everything about View Once on WhatsApp, how it works, its benefits, and limitations.
In this article
Part 1: What is View Once Photo on WhatsApp?
A View Once Photo on WhatsApp is an image permanently erased from the chat after the receiver opens the file. WhatsApp View Once allows users to send sensitive photos without fear, ensuring an enhanced level of privacy and security when texting on the app.
When compared to regular photo sharing on WhatsApp, view once on WhatsApp is way better because the receiver of a WhatsApp View Once photo can't save, share, or alter the image in any way. Unlike regular photo sharing on WhatsApp where the image can be saved on the recipient's phone, WhatsApp view once can't be saved on the device. Instead, the view once photo is deleted forever after the receiver views it once.
Why Use View Once on WhatsApp?
Here are some reasons users choose the once view WhatsApp feature:
- Enhanced privacy: No lingering media in chat history.
- Temporary sharing: Ideal for one-time passwords or private images.
- Data control: Senders know their content won’t be stored indefinitely.
Part 2: How to Use WhatsApp View Once?
Sometimes, you want to send a photo on WhatsApp that contains sensitive information like your bank details or contact address. If you don't want the photo to fall into the wrong hands or be shared without your consent, you should learn how to set the photo to view once on WhatsApp.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sending a View Once Photo on WhatsApp
Follow the steps below to send a view once photo on WhatsApp:
01of 04Open WhatsApp and Select a Chat
Go to WhatsApp on your phone and enter your 2FA code if required. Then search for the contact you wish to send a view once photo to and click on the chat.
02of 04Access Camera or Gallery
Next, tap on the Camera icon to take a photo in real-time, or tap on Gallery/Photo/Video Library to choose one of the photos already saved on your phone.
03of 04Send Your WhatsApp View Once Photo
On the next page, you'll see options to include an image caption, add filters, or select more images. Click on the View Once icon (red square) on the right side of your screen and wait till the icon turns white - This indicates you are now in View Once mode.
04of 04Click on Send
Click on the Arrow icon to send your image as View Once on WhatsApp. Once sent, you will see a view once icon on the chat page.
When the recipient opens the view once image that you sent, the view once icon will change to Opened, letting you know that the photo has been viewed.
Send Videos and Voice Messages as View Once on WhatsApp
Did you know that you can also send voice messages and videos as View Once on WhatsApp? To do this, go to Videos on WhatsApp and select a video to share as view once or hit the Microphone icon to record a voice message.
Next, click on the View Once icon next to the video or voice message and click on Send. The attached media will now be sent as View Once and will disappear immediately when the recipient views it or listens to it.
Ready to send a View Once photo on WhatsApp? Here are some tips and solutions to ensure everything goes smoothly.
- Send only to trusted contacts – While the photo disappears after viewing, recipients can still capture it using other methods.
- Blur or crop sensitive content – Remove any private details before sending.
- Follow WhatsApp’s rules – Sending content that violates terms may lead to reports and moderation by WhatsApp.
- Allow photo and camera access – Make sure WhatsApp has permission to access your media in device settings.
- Can't send or open View Once photos
This is often caused by poor network or no data. Try switching to a stable Wi-Fi or renewing your mobile plan.
- Photo closes immediately
Accidentally tapping the screen may exit the photo. Ask the sender to resend it—there’s no way to reopen a View Once image.
- View Once image saved to gallery
If you edited the photo before sending, your phone may auto-save a copy. Also, WhatsApp may temporarily store encrypted media.
If issues persist, delete the image from your gallery and try again, or contact WhatsApp Support for further help.
{Bonus} Easiest Way to View & Download WhatsApp View Once on Any Device
Want to keep a copy of WhatsApp’s view-once photos? MobileTrans lets you do that easily. With the View Once Recovery module, you can access and download one-time media after connecting WhatsApp. This tool avoids complicated methods and preserves original media quality, even for previously viewed files.
Step-by-Step: How to View & Download WhatsApp View Once
Instead of screenshotting low-res versions, use this tool for a clean recovery:
Step 1: Access the View Once Recovery Module
Launch the MobileTrans software and click on WhatsApp Recovery > View Once Recovery. Hit Start Recovery and connect your WhatsApp account as instructed.
Step 2: Initiate View Once Recovery Process
Navigate to the view-once message, then export the view once photo/video/audio to your PC directly.
Part 3: Can You Screenshot a WhatsApp View Once Photo?
By default, you can't screenshot a WhatsApp view once photo because this is against WhatsApp terms of service. If you try to screenshot or screen record a view once WhatsApp photo, you'll receive a screen capture blocked notification on your phone screen.
However, some users have found secret ways to screenshot WhatsApp View Once photos. Some people use the camera of another device to record a view once photo while others use third-party screen-recording apps to record view once images. The native screen-recoding feature of some Android phones also allows you to screenshot and screen-record WhatsApp View Once photos, especially after jailbreaking or rooting the phone.
Understanding WhatsApp's screenshot policy for View Once
WhatsApp has a strict screenshot policy for View Once photos. For added privacy on the app, WhatsApp doesn't allow users to screenshot an image that was sent with View Once enabled. Not only that but the recipient can't save, share, star, forward, or copy the image once View Once is enabled.
Technical limitations and user responsibility
You should know that you can't open a WhatsApp View Once photo again after you have sent it. You'll have to click on the View Once icon every time you want to send a new photo as View Once.
Also, while the receiver can't screenshot, screen-record, or share a WhatsApp view once photo, he or she can still save the photo by using the camera of another phone before the View Once disappears.
Ethical considerations when dealing with View Once content
You should know that taking a screenshot of a WhatsApp View Once photo that was sent to you is wrong and violates the privacy of your contact and WhatsApp's terms of service. When sending a View Once photo on WhatsApp, remember your privacy and only send the image if you must.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp View Once is a remarkable feature that improves the security and privacy of users on the app. You should use this privacy feature when sharing sensitive information to prevent your info from being leaked by unauthorized parties.
Do you think we left out anything in this article, then share your experiences with WhatsApp's view once feature to let us know what we missed. Remember to use the tool we recommend to view and download WhatsApp View Once photos to your device directly.
FAQs
Do you have more questions about sending view once photos on WhatsApp with WaLastseen? Compiled below are answers to some FAQs that users often ask about this topic:
Q1: Can recipients save View Once photos?
A1: Recipients can't save view once photos on the receiving device. However, he or she may use the camera of another device to record and save a view once photo.
Q2: How long do View Once photos stay in the chat?
A2: On WhatsApp, view once photos stay in the chat for 14 days until the image is opened. Once the image is opened, it is automatically erased from the chat forever. However, if you didn't open a view once image while backing up WhatsApp, the view once photo may be saved in your backup folder until you open it and it disappears after.
Q3: Are there any indicators that a View Once photo has been viewed?
A3: When a recipient views your view once photo on WhatsApp, you will see an Opened receipt in the chat. However, this only works if the recipient enabled Read Receipts in settings.
Q4: What can I do if I accidentally send a WhatsApp view once photo?
A4: You can quickly cancel a WhatsApp view once photo immediately after sending. Click on the photo and choose delete. Once a View Once the image has been sent to the recipient, you can't cancel it.
