WhatsApp Introduces ‘View Once’ Feature for Disappearing Voice Messages

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is expanding its ‘View Once’ feature to include voice messages, allowing users to send disappearing audio messages. This feature, previously available for text, photos, and videos, lets users set voice messages to vanish after the recipient listens to them. View Once voice messages will be marked with a “one-time” icon and can only be played once, providing a secure and private means of sharing sensitive information or making time-sensitive communications. The update, part of WhatsApp’s privacy innovation efforts, highlights the company’s commitment to end-to-end encryption by default. The feature will roll out globally over the coming days, offering users a new way to communicate with enhanced privacy.

To send a View Once voice message on WhatsApp, users need to open a chat window, tap and hold the microphone icon, swipe up to lock the recording, tap the stylized View Once icon, and send the message once the recording is finished. After the recipient listens to the voice clip, it will disappear from the chat and be replaced with a text indicating that it has been “opened.” The View Once messages will automatically vanish from the chat if not opened within 14 days, and users cannot forward, save, star, or share voice messages with this feature enabled.