WhatsApp trials disappearing text messages on Android

WhatsApp is testing a View Once option for text messages on Android devices. The feature appears for users running the beta version 2.26.45.6, according to WABetaInfo. Rollout is gradual, so installing the beta does not guarantee immediate access.

How to send a View Once text

To send a View Once text, users type the message, press and hold the send button, and select the View Once option from the pop-up menu. The message is then dispatched automatically. The feature does not work with scheduled messages.

Recipients see an indicator instead of a chat preview. Tapping it opens the text on a separate screen; closing the screen removes the message for both parties. Read receipts show whether the recipient opened the message, provided the setting is enabled.

WhatsApp blocks screenshots and screen recordings while the message is open, and it prevents copying or forwarding through the app. These restrictions aim to limit the ability to retain the text after it is viewed.

The feature is useful for sharing temporary information such as passwords, one-time verification codes, or other data users do not want to remain in chat history. Typical scenarios include sending a one-time password, a temporary link, or a confidential note that should disappear after reading. Nevertheless, it cannot stop a recipient from photographing the screen with another device.

The app is currently offering View Once texts to a limited set of Android beta testers via the Google Play Store. WABetaInfo reports that more accounts will receive the option in the coming weeks, but no date has been set for a broader release or for iPhone users.