WhatsApp May Let Users Send View-Once Text Messages With A Long Press: All You Need To Know

WhatsApp has spent the last few years steadily adding new privacy features, from disappearing messages to view-once photos and videos. Now, it looks like the popular messaging platform could be preparing another privacy-focused upgrade, this time for plain text messages. According to a report by WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned platform is currently developing a feature that would allow users to send text messages in a view-once format. If the feature eventually rolls out, recipients would only be able to read the message a single time before it disappears. While the functionality is not available yet, its appearance in a recent Android beta build suggests WhatsApp is actively working on the idea behind the scenes.How View-Once Text Messages Could

WorkMost WhatsApp users are already familiar with view-once media. The feature currently allows photos, videos and voice messages to be shared in a way that prevents saving, forwarding, screenshots and repeated viewing. The upcoming text version appears to follow a similar philosophy.According to details uncovered in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.22.7, users may be able to activate the feature by long-pressing the send button. Doing so would reportedly bring up additional options, including a "Send as view once" choice. Once the recipient opens the message, it would become inaccessible after being viewed.Why This Feature Could Be UsefulThere are plenty of situations where users may not want a message sitting permanently in someone else's chat history. Temporary passwords, personal information, event details, confidential work-related notes or even surprise plans could all benefit from an extra layer of privacy.While disappearing messages already exist, view-once texts would take things a step further by ensuring the content can only be viewed a single time.When Will It Launch?WhatsApp has not officially announced the feature or shared a rollout timeline. According to WABetaInfo, the functionality has not yet reached beta testers and is still being developed internally. As with many WhatsApp features, it will likely appear in beta testing before becoming available to everyone.