WhatsApp has released a view once feature. This allows users to send images, videos, and voice messages that can only be viewed once by the recipient. Once the message is opened, the file will automatically disappear and will not be saved in the gallery or device memory. This raises the question of whether there is a way to save view once photos on WhatsApp.
A Practical Guide to Save View Once Photos on WhatsApp
Basically, WhatsApp intentionally introduced the view once feature to maintain the privacy and security of communications between users.
The goal is to prevent sensitive media, such as personal photos or important documents, from being stored carelessly on other people’s devices.
This feature also prevents unauthorized re-distribution of files. However, in certain situations, users may still want to save such media.
Whether for documentation, proof of communication, or other personal needs, for those who want to save view once files WhatsApp, here are some alternatives.
1. Use the Virtual Master App
One popular method is using a third-party app called Virtual Master. TS Tech Talk shares a tutorial. First, you need to download and install the app from the Google Play Store. After that, register as usual and link your WhatsApp account to the app. In the future, users will access WhatsApp in a virtual environment that doesn’t recognize the limitations of the view-once feature. When media is sent as a view-once feature, they can open it and immediately take a screenshot.
The screenshot will be saved directly to the phone’s gallery. You can even adjust the capture area with the crop feature to save only the important parts. This process is easy and quick, as long as you follow the installation and registration steps correctly.
2. Beeper App Support
Beeper is a versatile messaging app that combines various chat platforms into one dashboard, including WhatsApp. Most interestingly, when WhatsApp is accessed through Beeper, the view-once feature no longer functions as intended.
This means that files sent in view-once mode will appear as regular media files, complete with download or screenshot options. If you’re a new Beeper user, you’ll usually be prompted to complete the initial setup process on your PC.
However, if you already have an active account, you can use it directly through the app on your phone. Once the installation and linking process is complete, any view-once media sent will appear normally.
Users can open it repeatedly, save it to the gallery, or even share it on other platforms. There’s no need to worry about media disappearing because Beeper doesn’t restrict access like the official WhatsApp app.
3. Using a Chrome Extension (PC Only)
For desktop or laptop users, one of the easiest ways to save view-once media from WhatsApp is to use a Chrome extension. It’s commonly called “View Once Photos Bypass for WhatsApp Web.”
This extension works not only on Google Chrome but also on other Chromium-based browsers like Microsoft Edge and Brave.
After installing this extension from the Chrome Web Store, simply open WhatsApp Web as usual and log in. When someone sends view-once media, the file will immediately appear as regular media. The result can be viewed repeatedly, even after WhatsApp Web is offline.
Third-Party Apps vs Manual Screenshots
Some people might think that simply taking a screenshot of the view-once media will save the file. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work.
WhatsApp, especially on the latest versions and devices with high-security systems, will often display a black screen when the user tries to take a screenshot. This is an additional form of protection to prevent unauthorized media from being saved.
This is why third-party apps are more effective for save view once photos on WhatsApp. They operate outside the boundaries of the official WhatsApp system. However, it’s important to maintain ethical and privacy considerations. Don’t save or share media intended for single-viewing without the sender’s consent.
