No, WhatsApp does not send any notification if someone takes a screenshot during a video call. There is no way for WhatsApp to detect or be aware of screenshots taken on the user’s device. Users can freely take screenshots of a WhatsApp video call without the other participant being notified.
How taking screenshots works on WhatsApp
On WhatsApp, taking a screenshot is handled entirely by the operating system of the user’s device, not by WhatsApp itself. For example, on an iPhone, pressing the Home and Power buttons together saves a screenshot to the Photos app.
This screenshot capability is provided by iOS, not by WhatsApp. So WhatsApp does not get any signal that a screenshot occurred. The same is true on Android and other platforms – the screenshot capability comes from the OS.
No notification for video call screenshots
During a WhatsApp video call, screenshots can be taken just like in any other app. But there is no screenshot detection by WhatsApp during video calls, so no notifications are sent.
Some messaging apps like Snapchat do have screenshot detection – if you take a screenshot of a Snapchat, the other user is notified. But WhatsApp’s approach is different.
For privacy reasons, WhatsApp does not access the user’s camera or screen during video calls. So it has no way of knowing if a screenshot occurred. No local notifications, no messages sent to the other user.
Screenshots are private on WhatsApp
Unlike Snapchat, where screenshot notifications are considered part of the ephemeral, disappearing message system, WhatsApp treats screenshots as a private action.
If you take a screenshot during a WhatsApp video call, only you have that screenshot saved locally on your device. The person you were video chatting with has no indication it happened.
This privacy approach aligns with the principles of WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption for messages. Actions like taking screenshots stay private to your device.
No changes planned for screenshot notifications
Based on public comments from WhatsApp product managers, there are no plans to add video call screenshot notifications in the future.
The company feels it would violate user privacy expectations around screenshots, while providing limited benefit. They consider it unlikely to be implemented.
So for now and the foreseeable future, feel free to take screenshots during WhatsApp video calls without the other person knowing.
Are there any workarounds to detect screenshots?
A few creative workarounds have been suggested to try and detect screenshots during WhatsApp video calls, though none are foolproof:
- Ask the other person to show their screen or recent photos – they may reveal a screenshot.
- Use another camera to record or monitor their screen.
- Monitor network traffic to watch for image uploads.
However, these approaches have significant downsides:
- The other user may simply decline or lie.
- Additional cameras are inconvenient and limited.
- Network traffic monitoring is complex and imperfect.
In general there is no good workaround. Screenshots during WhatsApp video calls will remain private to the user taking them.
Third-party apps that claim to detect screenshots
Some third-party apps in app stores claim they can notify you when someone takes a screenshot of your WhatsApp video call.
These apps do not have any special access to WhatsApp’s video call streams. Typically they simply monitor the phone’s screenshot capability in an attempt to infer when a screenshot might occur.
However, this approach does not work reliably and has significant limitations:
- The app has to run continuously in the background, draining battery.
- It cannot directly detect screenshots, only make guesses.
- It may flag harmless or unrelated screenshots as leaks.
WhatsApp does not support or recommend these apps. There are no reliable third party tools to detect WhatsApp video call screenshots currently.
Screen recording is similar to screenshots
Related to screenshots are screen recordings, where video of the full device screen is captured.
Like screenshots, screen recordings are initiated by the user through the device OS, not by WhatsApp itself. So WhatsApp cannot detect when screen recording starts or stops.
From WhatsApp’s perspective, a screen recording is similar to a screenshot – it happens outside of WhatsApp’s view. No notifications are sent if screen recording occurs during a video call.
Why WhatsApp video calls do not have screenshot detection
Understanding WhatsApp’s motivations around privacy helps explain why video call screenshots are undetected:
- WhatsApp focuses on protecting message content, not media actions like screenshots.
- Detecting screenshots would require deeper device access.
- Users expect screenshots to remain private.
Additionally, video call environments make screenshots hard to interpret – people may take harmless screenshots unrelated to the other participant.
Overall, WhatsApp has deliberately chosen not to send screenshot notifications during video calls, to maintain user privacy.
Should you ask before taking screenshots in video calls?
Since WhatsApp will not notify the other user, is it polite to ask for permission before taking a screenshot during a video call?
Opinions vary on this etiquette question. Some believe it is courteous to ask first, as the screenshot does capture their likeness. But it is not strictly required.
Others feel that since WhatsApp designed video calls without screenshot notifications, no permission is needed. You may choose to inform the other user after the fact.
Ultimately it’s a judgment call. Consider the situation, relationship with the other person, and how the screenshot will be used.
Can Child accounts take screenshots?
WhatsApp Child accounts have some usage restrictions, but taking screenshots is not one of them. During a video call with a WhatsApp Child account, they can take a screenshot without the parent being notified.
The WhatsApp Child account screenshot experience is the same as regular accounts – no notifications are sent to contacts when a Child account takes a screenshot during a video call.
Parents who want to monitor a child’s screenshot behavior would need to rely on parental control apps outside of WhatsApp that can detect screenshots system-wide on the device.
Conclusion
To summarize, WhatsApp does not currently send any kind of notification when a user takes a screenshot during a video call. This capability is intentionally designed by WhatsApp to maintain user privacy.
There are no settings to enable screenshot notifications within WhatsApp. Third party apps that claim to detect WhatsApp video call screenshots have significant limitations.
While it can be courteous to ask permission before taking a screenshot, it is not required as WhatsApp expects them to remain private. Screen recordings also go undetected just like screenshots.
Overall, users can be assured that taking screenshots during WhatsApp video calls is a private action that will not be reported to the other participant in any way.