WhatsApp Tests View-Once Media Support for Linked Devices

WhatsApp, one of the most widely used messaging applications in the world at the moment, has many things to enjoy and in an effort to enhance the user experience, WhatsApp has been creating a number of new features. Linked devices, which enables users to access their WhatsApp account on a different device—be it a computer, an Android tablet, or even another smartphone—is one of those services that many people have grown to enjoy and depend on. You can do almost everything on a connected device, but you can’t open voice messages, movies, or pictures that the sender has designated to be viewed only once. However, it appears that the Meta-owned app is developing a fix for this flaw. 

And this is to say that WhatsApp is creating a new feature for its Android app which allows users to view a media file that has been configured as ‘View Once’ on linked devices, according to reports by a feature tracker. It is claimed to be launched in a recent upgrade of the WhatsApp beta for Android app and is presently only available to beta testers. This change follows reports that the instant messaging app resolved a view-once media problem that let users access the time-limited content after only one viewing. This feature is speculated to improve convenience for WhatsApp users who rely on multiple devices.

The view-once media on linked devices is an option to verify view once material on connected devices is being developed by Meta Platforms’ messaging client and will be available in a future version of the app, according to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo. Version 2.25.3.7 of the WhatsApp beta for Android app is reportedly a suitable update that adds this capability, while some earlier beta releases could also make it accessible.

Users of WhatsApp can only open material marked “View Once” on the main device at this time. Although it is now prohibited on secondary devices, this may soon change. As per the (above) screenshot shared by the publication, the beta version of the app may let them access it on companion devices too, including smartphones and desktops. This is thought to boost convenience for consumers who rely on numerous devices since they may be able to watch such media on any device.

Users of WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.3.7 may now see self-destructing pictures, videos, and audio messages on their connected devices, as reported by WABetaInfo. Those who often use their WhatsApp account on a connected device will like this addition, but it’s unclear why WhatsApp never permitted it in the first place.

According to WABetaInfo, the function is now only accessible to a select group of beta users, but in the days ahead, testers should be able to utilize it more frequently. A WhatsApp help website states that several features, such seeing someone’s real-time location or viewing/creating broadcast lists, are still unavailable on a connected device. But there’s no mention of the limitation relating to seeing media and voice messages.

On a connected device, the handler may not see support for accessing view once content; instead, the handle may receive a notification that reads, “Waiting for this message.” It could take some time. Fortunately, it appears that this specific limitation may shortly be lifted. However, whether WhatsApp will make this functionality available to users of the stable version of the app remains up in the air, as the writer narrates his experience on his device.

Interestingly, in August 2021, the instant messaging service added the View Once function for images and videos, which shows up as a “1” icon in the file sharing window next to the caption text box. Any media shared with the aforementioned toggle enabled vanishes after the recipient views or plays it once.

At another time, WhatsApp beta in November 2023 showed that the app was working on enabling users to send view-once material to connected devices. Unfortunately, almost a year after it was discovered to be in development, this functionality is still not generally accessible across all platforms. However, the team hopes WhatsApp will also allow users to send these self-destructing messages via a linked device, as the capability to view ephemeral material on linked devices is already being developed.

In related news, the team recently discovered a flaw in WhatsApp that would allow users to access view-once photos and videos even after the receiver has viewed them, posing serious privacy issues. Fortunately, WhatsApp and Meta acted swiftly to address this specific issue and vulnerability a week ago.

Additionally, WhatsApp is reportedly working on a feature that would allow users to create and share events in individual chats on Android devices. According to WABetaInfo, this new capability is still in development and will only be accessible to beta testers who have registered through the Google Play Beta program.