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WhatsApp is developing a new view-once feature that will allow users to send text messages that disappear after being opened once. The feature has been spotted in the latest iOS beta (version 26.24.10.16) and is expected to offer the same privacy protections as view-once photos, videos, and voice notes already available on the platform.

How view-once text messages will work

Users will have the capability to select the view-once mode after typing a message. By holding down the Send buttona new item will be displayed on the Send dropdown menu with the label “Send as view once”. Once the message is sent, it can only be opened once and then read. Afterward, the text will not be available. The feature will be available for both one-to-one and group chats.

Current development status

The feature is still being developed and isn’t available for beta testing at this time. WhatsApp has not announced a release date, but the feature is expected to arrive in a future beta update before a wider rollout. The messaging platform is working on integrating the capability into its iOS app so that users can send text messages that can only be opened once after disappearing.

Privacy benefits

This new tool will enable users to send disappearing texts to their friends, offering enhanced privacy for sensitive information. The feature builds on WhatsApp’s existing view-once functionality for media, extending the same temporary messaging protection to plain text messages. Users can share personal details without worrying about them being misused later, as the text becomes unavailable after being seen once.

Comparison with existing features

WhatsApp has been testing the View-Once disappearing messages feature on its Android app since last month, and now it’s being tested on iOS as well. This brings iOS users parity with Android for view-once text messaging, though the current iOS beta testing for disappearing messages offers countdown timers (5 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours) rather than true view-once behavior.