WhatsApp is enhancing its view-once feature for images and videos, enabling users to share content that can only be viewed once. As per information from WABetaInfo, a well-known WhatsApp feature tracker, the platform is introducing changes aimed at simplifying the process of sharing these messages.
The upcoming update allows users to quickly send an image or video from their camera roll with minimal effort. In addition to this, WhatsApp is exploring the possibility of expanding the view-once functionality to other message types, hinting at a shift toward making this format the standard for sharing videos and images.
In the latest beta version of the app, users will find a new feature where instead of selecting the “1” icon in the caption window, they can now press and hold the send button to access a pop-up menu. This menu will offer a new option labeled Send as view once directly above the send button, according to a report from WABetaInfo here.
At present, this new functionality is still under development and has been identified in the beta version for Android 2.23.18.3. Currently, it’s not available for testing on the latest beta versions for either iOS or Android. The feature will likely first be available to beta testers before it is rolled out to the broader user base. For now, the ability to send media in a view-once format is restricted to images and videos, with GIFs excluded from this option.
Once the feature becomes available to beta testers, users who have opted into beta updates will notice a notification above the send button in the image/video preview interface. This notification will instruct users to Press and hold to send as a view once message, followed by the option Send as view once, according to WABetaInfo.
The tracker also notes that the view-once functionality in WhatsApp may undergo a redesign, potentially eliminating the “1” icon from its current position in the caption section. Furthermore, reports have indicated that plans are underway to extend the view-once feature to include audio messages and text in the future.
A recent development in WhatsApp’s capabilities includes the testing of a feature that harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate stickers. Users will be able to create stickers by inputting prompts such as “cat laughing on a skateboard,” with the app generating the stickers automatically. Additionally, WhatsApp is reportedly introducing the option for users to secure their chats with a password on WhatsApp Web, as highlighted by the feature tracker.
