WhatsApp ‘View Once’ Feature to Voice Messages
WhatsApp introduced the innovative “View Once” feature, enabling users to send self-destructing photos and videos that could be viewed only once before disappearing. This feature significantly enhanced privacy and control over shared content. Recently, WhatsApp has expanded this functionality to include voice messages, further refining how users communicate and share information.
What is the ‘View Once’ Feature?
The “View Once” feature allows users to send multimedia content that can only be accessed a single time by the recipient. After the recipient opens the media—a photo, video, or now, a voice message—it becomes inaccessible, ensuring that the sender maintains control over the content. This feature is particularly useful for sharing sensitive information or temporary updates without leaving a trace.
How ‘View Once’ Works for Voice Messages
The newly introduced “View Once” option for voice messages, informally dubbed “Hear Once,” operates under the same principles as its predecessors. Once a voice message sent in this mode is opened, the recipient cannot replay it or save it to their device. Similarly, the sender cannot access the audio message again after it has been sent. This one-time access policy enhances user privacy, as it ensures that messages cannot be stored or forwarded.
When the recipient opens a “View Once” voice message, it displays an “Opened” label, provided that the recipient has enabled read receipts. This feature adds an extra layer of communication clarity, allowing senders to know if their message has been listened to.
How to Send ‘View Once’ Voice Messages on WhatsApp
Sending a voice message in “View Once” mode is a simple process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the feature:
1. Open a Chat: Start by opening an individual or group chat where you want to send the voice message.
2. Access the Microphone: Tap the microphone icon located in the chat input field.
3. Lock the Recording: Swipe up on the microphone icon to lock the recording. This allows you to record without needing to hold the button continuously.
4. Record Your Message: Tap and hold the record button to begin capturing your voice message.
5. Enable View Once: Once you’re ready to send, tap the view once icon (it will turn green), indicating that you’re in “View Once” mode.
6. Send the Message: Finally, tap the send button to deliver your voice message.
For consistency with the “View Once” functionality for photos and videos, these voice messages will also be marked with a distinctive “one-time” icon. This visual cue helps users quickly identify the nature of the message they are receiving.
Privacy and Security
One of the significant advantages of the “View Once” feature, including the new voice message capability, is its commitment to privacy. All “View Once” messages, whether photos, videos, or voice messages, are end-to-end encrypted by default. This encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can access the content, safeguarding it from any potential interception.
Availability
WhatsApp has begun rolling out the “View Once” voice messages feature globally, with users expected to see it in their apps over the coming days. This update not only enhances the existing functionality but also aligns with WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to user privacy and security.
Conclusion
The expansion of the “View Once” feature to include voice messages marks a significant advancement in how WhatsApp users can manage their shared content. By allowing users to send audio messages that are only accessible once, WhatsApp reinforces its commitment to privacy and user control. Whether for sharing sensitive information or simply wanting to keep communications transient, the “View Once” feature provides an innovative solution for modern messaging needs. As this feature rolls out globally, users can look forward to an enhanced messaging experience that prioritizes their privacy and security.