WhatsApp's "View Once” feature lets you send photos, videos, or voice messages that disappear as soon as they’re opened.
Officially, you're not supposed to save or replay them. But let's be honest, sometimes you want to. Maybe it was a cute photo, an important detail, or you just opened it too fast. WhatsApp’s latest updates even block screenshots and screen recordings, making it harder than ever to keep what matters.
This guide skips rumors and outdated tricks. It’s based on real tests to show what actually works (and what doesn’t) when trying to save View Once photos and videos.
Part 1. What Methods No Longer Work to Save "View Once" Media on WhatsApp in 2025
The short version: most of the tricks people used are now blocked, and the official docs make it clear that "View Once" really means once. Here are the main methods that no longer work. Yes, I tested them.
1. Saving Directly from the Chat
There's no save option for View Once media. After you open it, the file is erased from both chat history and local storage.
2. Taking Screenshots or Screen Recordings
Built-in screenshot and screen-recording tools no longer work. In my testing, the screenshot and recording only captured a security notification.
Note
Opening a View Once photo or video while screen recording will waste your only chance to view it. With a screen recorder turned on, you'll only see an overlay on your phone instead of the actual photo or video. And it still counts as your one and only chance to view the media.
If you've already used up your chance and want to see what was sent, you can check our test on seeing WhatsApp View Once photos again after openning.
3. Using Browser Extensions or WhatsApp Web Tools
Many "save View Once" browser extensions stopped working. When a View Once photo arrives on WhatsApp Web, it simply shows "checking on mobile app". The desktop client never downloads the WhatsApp view once media file, so there's nothing for extensions to capture.
4. Checking WhatsApp Storage and Data
Some guides suggest going to Settings > Storage and Data > Manage Storage to find View Once files. I tested this method, and it doesn’t work. That section only shows media that was sent or received normally.
Part 2. What You Can Still Do to Save View Once on WhatsApp in 2025
After testing different approaches on both iOS and Android, only a few realistic ways remain to preserve View Once photos or videos
Method 1. Save via iCloud Backup (for iOS users)
Why does this work?
WhatsApp's official documentation states: "View Once media and voice messages can be restored from backups if the message is unopened at the time of backup."
In other words, if your WhatsApp backup was created after the photo was sent, that image may still be saved in the backup file. Extract the view once media in that backup, you have chance to save the original file to anywhere else.
And that’s also how Gbyte Recovery helps you find your View Once photos and videos.
Gbyte Recovey is the only WhatsApp data recovery tool with iCloud extraction technology, which allows it to scan deep inside your iCloud backup and uncover files most users assume are gone. Many people have recovered important media hidden in their backups this way. Now, Gbyte Recovery also offers a free preview of your scan results—so you can see what’s recoverable before making any decisions.
Step 1. Download and open Gbyte Recovery on your computer, or access its mobile web version.
Step 2. Log in with your Apple ID associated with your WhatsApp account, then choose "WhatsApp", "WhatsApp Attachment", "APP Photos" and "APP Videos" under the data types you want to recover.
Step 3. Wait for the software to complete its scan. It will search both your current and historical WhatsApp backups to locate any deleted or hidden View Once media.
Step 4. Preview the recovered WhatsApp photos to check if your View Once image is included, then download it directly to your computer or phone.
Method 2. Save via iCloud Backup (for Android users)
For Android users, WhatsApp stores chat data, including unopened View Once media, inside Google Drive backups. Extract the view once media from that backup, you have chance to save the original file to anywhere else.
You can use a data recovery tool that supports Google Drive scanning, such as iMyFone D-Back for Android. These tools can read your WhatsApp backup, preview what’s inside, and help you find View Once media that's still recoverable.
Backup Timestamp Tip
You can check when WhatsApp chat backup was last created to see if your View Once photo or video might be included. Go to WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup, and look for the last backup time.
If the backup was made after the View Once message was received but before you opened it, there’s a good chance that unopened media is still stored in that backup file.
Method 3. Use Another Device to Record or Shoot
This one always works no matter how WhatsApp's privacy updates. If you open the View Once photo or video on your main device, you can record it using another phone or camera. The recording captures what's displayed on the screen.
Note: From another perspective, View Once isn't always foolproof. While it prevents direct saving or forwarding, anyone can still record the screen with another device. If you're sending sensitive or private content, think twice before using View Once.
Method 4. Ask the Sender to Resend or Disable View Once
It sounds basic, but it’s often the most effective method. Many users enable “View Once” by habit without realizing you might need to save what they sent. Politely asking them to resend the file or share it normally solves the problem in seconds.
Part 5. Conclusion
WhatsApp's View Once feature is designed to protect privacy by making photos and videos disappear after a single view. Most traditional saving methods—screenshots, screen recording, browser extensions, or checking storage—no longer work due to WhatsApp's updates and encryption. However, a few reliable options remain: backing up before opening via iCloud or Google Drive, recording with another device, using recovery tools like Gbyte to extract unopened media from backups, or simply asking the sender to resend. By understanding these methods and respecting privacy, you can preserve important media without breaking WhatsApp's rules.
