WhatsApp Tests 'View Once' Text Messages Feature on iOS Devices

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WhatsApp has begun testing a new 'view once' text message feature on iOS. This feature allows users to send messages that can only be viewed once by the recipient. After the recipient opens the message, it disappears from the chat. WhatsApp previously started testing this feature on Android earlier in the month. Now, the company is expanding the same functionality to iOS devices.

Key Highlights

• WhatsApp is testing 'view once' text messages on iOS after earlier Android trials.
• The feature allows messages to be viewed once before disappearing from the chat.
• 'View once' text messages work in one-to-one and group chats but not in channels.

How the Feature Works

To use the 'view once' option, users need to long-tap the Send button. This action brings up the option to 'Send as view once.' Once selected, the message will be sent and can only be viewed a single time by the recipient. After it is viewed, the message is automatically deleted from the chat.

The 'view once' feature is already available for media such as photos and videos. WhatsApp is now working to expand this capability to text messages. This change aims to provide users with more control over the privacy of their conversations.

Availability and Limitations

The new feature is currently in internal testing by WhatsApp developers. It is not yet available in any public beta version for iOS users. The company has not announced a timeline for wider release.

'View once' text messages will function in both one-to-one chats and group chats. However, this feature will not be available in WhatsApp channels. This limitation means that only direct and group conversations will support the new privacy option.

This new functionality differs from WhatsApp's existing disappearing messages feature. The current disappearing messages option allows users to set a timer for messages to expire after a certain period. In contrast, the 'view once' feature deletes the message immediately after a single view.

WhatsApp's Privacy Enhancements

WhatsApp continues to add new privacy features to its platform. The introduction of 'view once' text messages follows earlier updates that included disappearing media and timed messages. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to give users more control over their communications.

As WhatsApp tests this feature internally, users can expect further updates in the coming months. The company is likely to expand testing before making the feature widely available to all users.