How to Download ‘View Once’ Photos & Videos on WhatsApp (3 Methods)

WhatsApp’s ‘View Once’ feature lets users send self-destructing photos and videos that disappear after being viewed. While this enhances privacy, some users may want to save these media files for various reasons. Here’s how you can download or save ‘View Once’ photos and videos on WhatsApp.

Important Note on Privacy

Downloading or saving ‘View Once’ content without the sender’s consent can breach privacy and may violate WhatsApp’s policies. Always respect the sender’s intentions and privacy.

Method 1: Use a Screen Recorder (Android and iPhone)

One of the easiest ways to save ‘View Once’ videos is by using a screen recorder. Most smartphones now have built-in screen recording features.

Steps for Android:

1. Enable Screen Recorder:
   • Swipe down from the top to access the Quick Settings panel.
   • Tap Screen Recorder (if unavailable, install a third-party app like AZ Screen Recorder).
2. Open the ‘View Once’ Media:
   • Start recording and open the View Once photo or video.
3. Save the Recording:
   • Once the media has played, stop the recording. The video will be saved to your gallery.

Steps for iPhone:

1. Enable Screen Recording:
   • Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls and add Screen Recording.
   • Swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the record icon.
2. Open the Media:
   • Start recording and open the View Once content.
3. Stop Recording:
   • End the recording to save the video in the Photos app.

Method 2: Use a Secondary Device to Capture the Screen

If you cannot use a screen recorder, another way to save ‘View Once’ photos or videos is by capturing them using a secondary device.

Steps:

1. Prepare a Second Device:
   • Use a camera, phone, or tablet with video recording functionality.
2. Open the ‘View Once’ Content:
   • Play the photo or video on your primary phone.
3. Record the Screen:
   • Use the secondary device to record the screen while the ‘View Once’ content is playing.

Method 3: Using a File Manager (For Android Users)

On Android, you can retrieve ‘View Once’ media from the device’s temporary storage before it is deleted.

Steps:

1. Open File Manager:
   • Use your phone’s built-in File Manager or download a third-party app like ES File Explorer.
2. Access WhatsApp’s Temporary Storage:
   • Navigate to Internal Storage > Android > Media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Media.
3. Find Cached Files:
   • Quickly locate the recently opened ‘View Once’ files in the temporary folder before they are cleared.
4. Copy and Save:
   • Copy the file to a different location on your phone to prevent it from being deleted.

Bonus Tip: Use WhatsApp Web with Screenshot Tools

While WhatsApp Web doesn’t support ‘View Once’ media natively, you can still attempt to save the content:

1. Open the chat with the ‘View Once’ content on WhatsApp Web.
2. Use screen capture software like Snipping Tool (Windows) or Screenshot app (Mac) to save the media.

Conclusion

Downloading ‘View Once’ photos and videos on WhatsApp requires creativity, as the platform intentionally limits saving these files. You can use screen recording, a secondary device, or Android’s file manager to save them. However, always prioritize ethical practices and respect the sender’s privacy when handling ‘View Once’ content.