# WhatsApp Rolls Out View-Once Text Messages to Select Android Beta Testers

> WhatsApp is rolling out view-once text messages to select Android beta users on version 2.26.45.6, letting recipients open a message once before it disappears.

- Published: 2026-11-12T09:02:35+00:00
- Section: Product Launches
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-12/whatsapp-view-once-text-messages-android-beta
- Source: [Digit](https://www.digit.in/news/general/whatsapp-now-allowing-select-users-to-send-view-once-text-messages-in-conversations-here-is-how.html)

## Key takeaways

- WhatsApp is rolling out view-once text messages to select Android beta users on version 2.26.45.6.
- Recipients cannot copy, save, forward, share or screenshot view-once text messages, and the tap-and-hold function is unavailable.
- Senders can see when a view-once text was opened if read receipts are enabled, after which it vanishes from both chats.

WhatsApp is rolling out view-once text messages to select Android beta users on version 2.26.45.6, adding text to the list of view-once media such as photos, videos and voice notes. [Digit](https://www.digit.in/news/general/whatsapp-now-allowing-select-users-to-send-view-once-text-messages-in-conversations-here-is-how.html) reported the rollout on November 12, 2026, citing WABetaInfo.

## How View-Once Texts Work on WhatsApp

Eligible testers open a chat, type a message and press and hold the green send button. Two options may appear, "Schedule message" and "View once"; choosing "View once" and confirming the description sheet sends the message. The report noted that users cannot schedule view-once text messages.

Recipients cannot copy, save, share, forward or take a screenshot of a view-once text, and the tap-and-hold function is not available for these messages. The messages are not visible in the chat window and open in a separate interface; once that interface is closed, the message becomes inaccessible. WhatsApp reportedly also blocks in-app screen recording while a view-once message is being viewed.

The message is marked "Opened", similar to other media-based view-once messages, and the sender can check when it was opened if read receipts are enabled. After the recipient views it, the message vanishes from both ends. More users are expected to get the functionality in the coming weeks, and beta testers can update to the latest version from the Google Play Store to check availability for their account.

## WhatsApp's Scale and Subscription Plans

According to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), more than 3 billion people in over 180 countries use [WhatsApp](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0000nf5/whatsapp), and India is its largest market with 500+ million users, with some sources citing up to 850 million. The same records list Meta One, a cross-platform subscription bundle in development that packages premium WhatsApp features alongside Instagram and Facebook under a single paid plan.

## Recent WhatsApp Beta Changes

On November 11, 2026, GSMArena.com reported that WhatsApp's beta build 2.26.45.5 introduces a transparent floating navigation bar that shrinks to a pill shape when scrolling and returns to full size on swipe. On November 9, 2026, TimesNow reported that WhatsApp is testing an original quality media-sharing option for Android users, available only to WhatsApp Plus subscribers, with no rollout date announced. Also on November 9, 2026, T3n reported that WhatsApp is testing a new Contacts tab on Android that replaces the Communities tab and shows favorite contacts sorted by activity or birthdate.

## WhatsApp's Next Steps

Digit reported that more users are expected to get view-once text messages in the upcoming weeks. The company's own [WhatsApp](http://www.whatsapp.com) site lists the app for download.

## Companies in this story

- [WhatsApp company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0000nf5/whatsapp) · website: http://www.whatsapp.com

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