A lot of people worry about privacy when using WhatsApp and often ask: “If I take a screenshot, will the other person know?” The short answer is: No, WhatsApp does not notify anyone when you screenshot chats. But let’s get into the details, because there are a few things you should know.
Table of Contents
1. Regular Chats and Screenshots 🤔
If you take a screenshot of a normal WhatsApp chat, whether it’s one-on-one or a group chat, the other person will not be notified.
- You can screenshot messages, images, and shared links freely.
- The sender will have no idea you saved that screen.
This is different from some apps (like Snapchat) that do alert users when a screenshot is taken.
2. View Once Photos & Videos 🔒
Here’s where things change: WhatsApp has a “View Once” feature for photos and videos. These can only be opened one time, and WhatsApp blocks screenshots and screen recordings of them.
- If you try to screenshot, you’ll just get a black screen.
- Screen recording is also blocked.
- The sender won’t be notified, but you also won’t be able to capture the content.
Basically, “View Once” is designed to protect privacy — so no sneaky saving allowed.
3. WhatsApp Status Screenshots 📸
You can screenshot someone’s WhatsApp Status (like stories on Instagram). And again, WhatsApp does not notify the person.
- They won’t see that you took a screenshot.
- The only thing they can see is if you viewed their status, but not if you saved it.
4. Privacy & Respect 🙏
Even though WhatsApp doesn’t send alerts, it’s always a good idea to respect privacy. Just because you can screenshot without someone knowing doesn’t mean you always should.
FAQ Section 📝
Q: Can someone know if I screenshot their chat?
A: Nope, WhatsApp never tells them.
Q: What about “View Once” photos/videos?
A: You can’t screenshot them — WhatsApp blocks it.
Q: Can I screenshot WhatsApp calls?
A: Yes, you can screenshot call screens, but the other person won’t be notified.
✅ Bottom line: On WhatsApp, screenshots of chats, statuses, and calls are totally invisible to the other person. The only exception is “View Once” content, where screenshots don’t work at all.
