WhatsApp's View Once feature allows users to send photos and videos that disappear from the chat after the receiver has opened them once. When you send a view once photo on WhatsApp, the receiver cannot save, screenshot, screen-record, or forward the image to any other user. This gives you an extra layer of privacy and security on the app.
Every day, billions of messages and media are exchanged online and the need for privacy in digital communication is now very important. WhatsApp wants to improve digital privacy for users and the WhatsApp view once feature ensures users can send sensitive data without fear.
So, how do you send a view once photo on WhatsApp? This article will guide users through the process of using WhatsApp's View Once feature for photos, its limitations, and best practices.
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.
Part 2: How to Send a View Once Photo on WhatsApp?
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.
Now that you know how to send a view once photo on WhatsApp, let's check out tips to ensure a smooth sending experience.
Tips for a Smooth Sending Experience
Follow these pro tips when sending WhatsApp view once:
- Only send WhatsApp View Once photo to trusted contacts - Remember that while WhatsApp allows the recipient to view your image only once, he or she can still save the image using other methods. As such, you should only send WhatsApp View Once to known and trusted contacts.
- Blur or crop out sensitive information - If you can, you should blur or crop out sensitive information in your photo before sending it as View Once.
- Don't send photos that violate WhatsApp's terms of service - If you send a photo that violates WhatsApp's terms of service as view once, the recipient can report you to WhatsApp and this means the view once image that you sent will be provided to WhatsApp as well.
- Ensure to grant permission to WhatsApp to access your Photos and Camera - If you don't grant permission, WhatsApp can't access your device's camera or any of the saved images to send as view once. You can grant WhatsApp permission in the Privacy/Security settings of your phone.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting Guidelines When Sending WhatsApp View Once
Compiled below is a list of common issues you may encounter when sending View Once on WhatsApp and how to resolve them:
- WhatsApp View Once won't send or Open:
You may encounter this problem when dealing with a poor network or when you run out of cellular data. In this case, a view once photo won't send or open and may cancel a few times. The best way to troubleshoot this issue is to connect to a ber Wi-Fi network or subscribe to your network provider.
- WhatsApp View Once Photo closed immediately after opening:
If you accidentally tap on your screen while viewing a WhatsApp view once image, the photo will disappear because WhatsApp assumes you have viewed the photo and wish to return to the chat screen. The only way to troubleshoot this is to ask the sender to send the WhatsApp View Once photo again.
- WhatsApp view once photo saved in phone gallery:
If you noticed that a view once image on WhatsApp is saved to your gallery after sending it, there are a few possible reasons for this. If you edited the view once image while sending, your phone might save the edited image as a new photo in your gallery. Also, encrypted media may be stored for a few weeks on WhatsApp's servers after you have sent it.
To troubleshoot, delete the image from your gallery and try sending it again. If the problem persists, you should contact the WhatsApp customer support Team.
Part 3: {Bonus} Useful WhatsApp Tracker - WaLastseen
Have you ever asked yourself when is the best time to send a WhatsApp View Once photo? WaLastseen can help you answer this question.
WaLastseen is a user-friendly tracking app that helps you monitor your WhatsApp contacts' online activity and last-seen status, so you know the best time to send a WhatsApp view once photo.
There is a limited availability of apps like WaLastseen that offer advanced WhatsApp features such as online tracking, instant notification, and chat probability. WaLastseen is reliable, easy to use, and secure. With the WaLastseen app, you can track the online status of your contacts and loved ones to know when they are active, offline, or busy.
By using WaLastseen to track online status, you can know whether your loved one/target person is online, and find the best time to send your view once WhatsApp photo. WaLastseen can also help you check whether the person opens your view once photo or not.
Step-by-Step Guide for Installing and Using WaLastseen to Send a WhatsApp View Once Photo
WaLastseen has tons of amazing features that allow you to track the online activity and engagement of your contacts, so you know when they are active and discover the best time to send your view once photos. Follow the steps below to install and use WaLastseen on your phone:
01of 03Install WaLastseen and Add Contacts
Go to the Google Play Store on your Android phone and search for the WaLastseen app. Then click on Install to download the app on your device.
You can also scan the QR code on the WaLastseen to download the app directly on your phone. Next, open the app and click on Add Contacts.
02of 03Select A Contact to Track
On the next page, you'll see your WhatsApp contact list displayed on the screen. Tap "Add" to select the contact to track. On the next page, edit the contact info if you want and click on Start Tracking below the screen.
03of 03Find When to Send WhatsApp View Once Photo
After you click on Start Tracking, WaLastseen will display a detailed data page of the contact's online activity for that day. You can customize the page calendar to compare the contact's WhatsApp timeline for the last 7 days and discover the best time to send WhatsApp View Once photos.
WaLastseen is a powerful and must-have tracking app on your phone. Whether you want to know the time your contact spends online, find speaking opportunities, or master routine activities, WaLastseen has got you covered.
Part 4: 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.
Part 5: 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.
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 download and use WaLastseen on your device to know the best time to send WhatsApp View Once photos to your contacts and get notified once they open your image.
