June 23, 2026, 6:27 am | Read time: 2 minutes
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new privacy feature for its smartphone app. In the future, users will be able to send text messages that delete themselves immediately after being read. Until now, the “view once” feature was only available for photos, videos, and voice messages. Now, WhatsApp plans to extend this principle to regular text messages.
How the Messages Are Supposed to Work
When writing a message, users will be able to activate the new option directly when sending. To do this, the send button must be pressed longer. According to the online magazine “WABetaInfo,” the option “Send as view once” will then appear.
If the message is sent this way, the recipient can open it only once. After reading, the content becomes inaccessible, and it cannot be viewed again. The feature is expected to be available in both individual and group chats. However, it is not intended for channels.
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WhatsApp Relies on Additional Security Measures
The new view-once messages will be equipped with the same security features that WhatsApp already uses for photos, videos, and voice messages. Recipients will not be able to copy, forward, or share the messages. As with other view-once content, WhatsApp may also block screenshots and screen recordings.
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However, the messenger cannot guarantee complete protection. Content could still be photographed with a second device. Within the app, WhatsApp aims to restrict saving and further distribution as much as possible. The feature is likely intended for confidential information, such as passwords, access data, or private agreements.
Previously, Users Had to Resort to a Trick
Those who wanted to make a text visible only once had to get creative. Some users wrote their message in the caption of a photo and sent it using the “view once” feature. While the actual text disappeared as desired after opening, it also required an accompanying photo. In the future, this little trick will no longer be necessary.
According to WABetaInfo, the messenger is currently testing the feature for both Android and iOS. However, the feature is still in development and is not yet available to testers. There is also no official announcement or information on its release yet.