{"id":60420,"date":"2022-04-22T11:16:29","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T05:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=60420"},"modified":"2026-10-12T11:32:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T06:02:48","slug":"whatsapp-one-view-photo-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/","title":{"rendered":"WhatsApp View Once: How to Send Photos, Videos and Voice Messages That Disappear (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Want to share a private photo without it ending up in someone&#8217;s gallery? <strong>WhatsApp View Once<\/strong> lets you send photos, videos and voice messages that the other person can open only one time, after which they disappear from the chat. I use it for personal photos and documents I don&#8217;t want saved, forwarded or shared. Here is how View Once works in 2026 and what it can and can&#8217;t protect.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-60429\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-message-recieved.jpg\" alt=\"WhatsApp View Once photo received\" width=\"310\" height=\"313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-message-recieved.jpg 707w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-message-recieved-297x300.jpg 297w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-message-recieved-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-message-recieved-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> In a chat, pick a photo or video, tap the <strong>1 in a circle<\/strong> icon next to the caption box until it says &#8220;Set to view once&#8221;, then send. For voice messages, record and tap the same 1 icon before sending. The recipient can open it once; it can&#8217;t be forwarded, saved or (on the phone apps) screenshotted, and it disappears once closed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad43e733f354\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad43e733f354\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#How_to_send_a_View_Once_photo_or_video\" >How to send a View Once photo or video<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#How_to_send_a_View_Once_voice_message\" >How to send a View Once voice message<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#What_the_recipient_sees\" >What the recipient sees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#Limits_what_View_Once_cant_stop\" >Limits: what View Once can&#8217;t stop<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#Delete_a_View_Once_message\" >Delete a View Once message<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#Can_you_screenshot_a_WhatsApp_View_Once_photo\" >Can you screenshot a WhatsApp View Once photo?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#Does_the_sender_know_if_I_opened_it\" >Does the sender know if I opened it?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#Can_I_view_a_View_Once_photo_again\" >Can I view a View Once photo again?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/04\/whatsapp-one-view-photo-video\/#Does_View_Once_work_in_groups\" >Does View Once work in groups?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_send_a_View_Once_photo_or_video\"><\/span>How to send a View Once photo or video<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Open a chat and tap the attach (+ or paperclip) or camera icon.<\/li>\n<li>Choose a photo or video.<\/li>\n<li>Tap the <strong>1<\/strong> icon in a circle on the right of the caption bar. WhatsApp shows &#8220;Photo set to view once&#8221;.<\/li>\n<li>Tap <strong>Send<\/strong>. The message shows a circled 1 instead of a preview.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-60427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-once-view-option-766x1024.jpg\" alt=\"WhatsApp View Once option\" width=\"330\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-once-view-option-766x1024.jpg 766w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-once-view-option-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-once-view-option-112x150.jpg 112w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-once-view-option-768x1027.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-once-view-option.jpg 851w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_send_a_View_Once_voice_message\"><\/span>How to send a View Once voice message<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Press and hold the mic, then slide up to lock recording.<\/li>\n<li>Tap the <strong>1<\/strong> icon before sending.<\/li>\n<li>The recipient can play it only once.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_the_recipient_sees\"><\/span>What the recipient sees<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An unopened View Once message shows a circled 1. When opened and closed, it changes to &#8220;Opened&#8221; and can&#8217;t be viewed again. In my test below, three View Once messages look different from normal photo messages.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-60425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-one-view-message.jpg\" alt=\"WhatsApp View Once messages in chat\" width=\"359\" height=\"302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-one-view-message.jpg 679w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-one-view-message-300x252.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/whatsapp-one-view-message-150x126.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 359px) 100vw, 359px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The media is not saved to the recipient&#8217;s gallery, even with auto-download on.<\/li>\n<li>It can&#8217;t be forwarded, starred or shared.<\/li>\n<li>Screenshots and screen recordings are blocked in the Android and iPhone apps.<\/li>\n<li>If not opened within 14 days, the media expires from the chat.<\/li>\n<li>You can still see when it was opened in Message info, if read receipts are on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-60428\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/opened-one-view-message.jpg\" alt=\"Opened WhatsApp View Once message\" width=\"347\" height=\"157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/opened-one-view-message.jpg 663w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/opened-one-view-message-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/opened-one-view-message-150x68.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Limits_what_View_Once_cant_stop\"><\/span>Limits: what View Once can&#8217;t stop<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Someone can still photograph the screen with another phone.<\/li>\n<li>Only send View Once media to people you trust.<\/li>\n<li>Recipients on old WhatsApp versions may still be able to take screenshots, and you are not notified if someone tries.<\/li>\n<li>Unopened View Once media can be restored from a backup; once opened, it isn&#8217;t backed up and can&#8217;t be restored.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Delete_a_View_Once_message\"><\/span>Delete a View Once message<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Long-press the message (or click the down arrow on desktop) and choose <strong>Delete for everyone<\/strong> before it&#8217;s opened, if you change your mind.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-60426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/delete-whatsapp-one-view-message.jpg\" alt=\"Delete WhatsApp View Once message\" width=\"335\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/delete-whatsapp-one-view-message.jpg 761w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/delete-whatsapp-one-view-message-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/delete-whatsapp-one-view-message-150x116.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 335px) 100vw, 335px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For group privacy, see how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2022\/05\/stop-whatsapp-disappearing-messages\/\">stop members turning on disappearing messages<\/a>, and make your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2026\/10\/whatsapp-dp\/\">WhatsApp DP<\/a> stand out. On a computer, learn how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2021\/10\/whatsapp-web-logout\/\">log out of WhatsApp Web<\/a> securely.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_screenshot_a_WhatsApp_View_Once_photo\"><\/span>Can you screenshot a WhatsApp View Once photo?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not in current versions of the Android and iPhone apps; WhatsApp blocks screenshots and screen recordings of View Once media.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_the_sender_know_if_I_opened_it\"><\/span>Does the sender know if I opened it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Only if you have read receipts turned on. Then the sender sees &#8220;Opened&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_view_a_View_Once_photo_again\"><\/span>Can I view a View Once photo again?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Once you close it, it&#8217;s gone for both of you. WhatsApp can&#8217;t restore it.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_View_Once_work_in_groups\"><\/span>Does View Once work in groups?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Each member can open it once.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to share a private photo without it ending up in someone&#8217;s gallery? WhatsApp View Once lets you send photos,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":60429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-60420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-media","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60420"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60420\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64290,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60420\/revisions\/64290"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}