WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that will only allow media to be viewed once.

WhatsApp is rolling out its View Once feature that will allow users to send media photos or videos that can be viewed once and will disappear once it has been viewed.

After they have been watched once, they cannot be viewed again. It is similar to the expiring media Snapchat first featured wherein users can view photos and videos once after which they expire. When the feature goes live, users will see a clock-like icon next to the “add a caption” bar selecting which users can send views once or expiring photos to contacts.

It is not clear if WhatsApp will also allow users to replay pictures and videos as in Snapchat.

However, if users disable read receipts, the recipient will still be able to see if users have opened the photo or video set to view once. However, the sender will not be able to see when the recipient has opened the media. Users can see when other participants open expiring photos even if you have disabled read receipts in groups.

The feature is rolling out for beta testers and is compatible with Android users with the 2.21.14.3 version, features tracker WaBetaInfo reported sharing screenshots that reveal users will be able to send expiring media by taking live snaps or choosing photos from their gallery.

Don’t forget about the disappearing messages as well.

WhatsApp rolled out Disappearing messages in November that disappear within seven days from the time when they are sent. The setting does not affect previously sent or received messages.

While in an individual chat, either user can turn disappearing messages on or off, in a group chat, only group admins have the control to turn disappearing messages on or off. While the disappearing messages are already live for users, parent company Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently spoke about unveiling the disappearing mode for WhatsApp.

It’s more like Snapchat than Instagram.

However, the feature being rolled out currently is closer to the Snapchat-like expiring media which disappear as soon as they are seen.

Instagram also allows users to send view-once photos. WhatsApp is slated to roll out other features soon like multi-device support with end-to-end encryption. The feature lets users log in to a single WhatsApp account using multiple devices. Currently, you can log in to a single account using your phone and computer, but the feature once enabled will let you use multiple devices at the same time.

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