WhatsApp is expanding its View Once feature beyond photos, videos and voice messages, with the platform now making disappearing text messages available to some Android beta testers.

The feature has been under development for several months, and according to WABetaInfo, it is now rolling out to selected users running WhatsApp beta version 2.26.45.6 for Android.

How WhatsApp’s View Once Text Messages Work

The new feature works similarly to the existing View Once options for media. Users can send a text message that disappears from the recipient’s device after it has been opened and read.

To send one, users need to type their message in the text box, press and hold the send button, and select the View Once option. When using the feature for the first time, WhatsApp displays an information notice explaining how disappearing text messages work. Users can then tap OK to continue.

Unlike regular messages, View Once texts do not immediately appear in the conversation. The recipient must tap the message to open it, after which it is displayed in a separate interface. Once that interface is closed, the message cannot be opened again.

WhatsApp also marks the message as opened, allowing the sender to know when the recipient has viewed it, provided read receipts are enabled.

Once opened, the message becomes unavailable to both the sender and recipient. Recipients cannot copy, forward or save its contents. WhatsApp also blocks screenshots and screen recordings while the message is being viewed, adding another layer of privacy for users sharing sensitive information.

However, the protection is not completely foolproof, as recipients could still use another device’s camera to record the contents of the message. Neither WhatsApp nor the sender can prevent this.

There is also one limitation with the current implementation. According to WABetaInfo, View Once text messages cannot be scheduled. It remains unclear whether WhatsApp will address this restriction before the feature becomes available to everyone.