WhatsApp Introduces “View Once” Photos and Videos on Desktop and Web Versions

WhatsApp is reportedly reintroducing the “View Once” feature for photos and videos on its desktop and web versions. Initially available only for Android and iOS users, the feature allows users to send media that can be viewed once before being deleted from the chat. Despite being removed earlier due to security concerns, WhatsApp is now rolling out this feature for its desktop app and web platform. A recent report by WABetaInfo reveals that the “View Once” option is visible within the caption bar in the drawing editor on the WhatsApp for Windows platform. This move comes in response to user feedback, indicating the usefulness of the feature in conserving phone storage by allowing users to view media without saving it permanently.

The Meta-owned platform had initially removed the feature based on security concerns but is now addressing user demands by reintroducing it for desktop and web users. The feature is gradually rolling out to eligible users, with updates required for both desktop and web applications to access the latest version. Additionally, starting in December, WhatsApp backups on Android will continue functioning as long as users have available cloud storage space on their Google accounts. However, users reaching their storage limits will need to free up space on Google Drive to resume backups. WhatsApp is also prompting users to add their email addresses as a secondary identifier for account verification purposes, enhancing account security and functionality.