Take screenshot of profile picture in WhatsApp

DeletedUser115

Noticed that WhatsApp prevents taking a screenshot of a full screen profile picture - results in a black picture. Is there a workaround? The goal is to save a profile picture of someone on WhatsApp with best possible quality. Thanks! 🌷

TheAwesomenESQ

DeletedUser115
workaround depends on having installed whatsapp for windows. open whatsapp > profile pic > snipping tool > select area of pic > edit in paint or save as.

TheAwesomenESQ

I tried to replicate, but other than my own profile pic (for which screenshot works), it doesn't work for other users. will revert if I find a workaround.

DeletedUser115

TheAwesomenESQ Thank you 🌷

MarsTrue

DeletedUser115 start screen recording, do your thing, save the recording, open it, screenshot at will. works with self destructing images and disappearing messages as well.

TheAwesomenESQ

MarsTrue
same result. black screen output file for screen recorder

TheAwesomenESQ

https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-blocks-you-from-taking-screenshots-profile-pictures/

MarsTrue

TheAwesomenESQ weirdly enough that seems to be the case. wonder why more apps haven't implemented it and the screen record trick still works.

you can still screenshot the small version of the picture and upscale it or go low tech and just photograph the screen with another phone. haven't tried the desktop workaround but they'll probably patch it soon.

DeletedUser115

TheAwesomenESQ Thank you!

6r4f

Any new on device workaround for this?

TheAwesomenESQ

6r4f
i'm on GOS > WA v2.24.25.77 and seems the screenshot option is still disabled. since desktop workaround is available, haven't pursued this matter any further.

DeletedUser69

WhatsApp is meant to work with some sort of network. Online tools are available that can be used on device to extract profile pictures, that should be sufficient workaround without any code change/adding.

6r4f

DeletedUser69

That sounds good. Could you tell me the name or URL of those on device tools? So far it seems that there have been quite a few around but most stopped working recently.

DeletedUser69

6r4f I tried a few and as you may have found out they either require registration of some sort or don't work. Since I have no rational use for this feature, I would like to explore your reasons for wanting to have this available despite WhatsApp saying no.

router99

DeletedUser69 I would like to explore your reasons for wanting to have this available despite WhatsApp saying no

That's an elaborate way of asking "why do you want to screenshot on WhatsApp?"

6r4f

Well, at first I think it is none of Meta's buissness to know if I am doing a screenshot or not. This is already going to far in my opinion. I understand that there are bad actors abusing peoples identities (had issues with this myself) but if we follow that logic we could ban messengers straight away as criminals are using them too. Everything that is displayed on my screen is supposed to be seen by me anyway.

As usually it is fair to assume that a criminal mastermind will find a way around any restriction set as they have the motivation, skills and money to do so. Since I am asking here, I obviously do not have the capacity.

As far as for myself, I like to make funny edits of my friends and surprise them with these once they not expact it (even though they do by now). I can ask them sure, but that is way less fun and it kinda became thing a while ago. I have been traveling for the last 8 month and haven't been bothered to do so but now I wanted to make a fun edit and realised it is not possible anymore.

Also if this is not a satisfying answer for you that is fine. I respect your caution and opinion 🙂

router99

6r4f Snapchat, also. The app should have no right to know what I do with my phone.

DeletedUser69

router99 that may be true according to your view, but by deciding to use an app, you agree to terms and conditions and privacy policy and if under these app provider doesn't enable you to do screenshots, you should either accept it, raise an issue with them or find alternatives to desired functionality. You are hardly in a position to make any demands.

6r4f

DeletedUser69

Well, I dislike it, but I see your point. Again, it is not important. PC workaround is a thing, just not very handy, and in the end it is just my stupid type of humor that wants. Just wanted to know if there is some on device solution. I can live without funny edits ✌🏻

But in the end the whole approach is debatable, from a philosophical point of view. It is my phone and Meta is designing an infrastructure of dependence. Just an illusion of choice. Actually they should accept my terms and conditions to be on my phone. But the world is twisted. And I know I choose to install it, but regarding my work, I actually do not have a choice. Just an Illusionen to do so where drawbacks affect my profit. At some point they played nice, gathered millions of users, alternatives died and then boom all changed. How is that acceptable?! I am not on WhatsApp for my friends, this is just a side effect.

Also I tried to go without for years. It just did not work. Other than that, they have more than enough means to detect scammers. As my profile got copied on meta services, they automatically spotted it, I mean a second profile with the same pic and info but from a different IP. Easy. Just Instagram didn't realize that.

Anyway all off topic now. I am out of this thread. Thank you all for the nice chat. GOS is awesome! And you are too. This community is very non toxic, I like that.

router99

DeletedUser69
As the owner of my device, I have every right to make such demands.

de0u

router99 As the owner of my device, I have every right to make such demands.

True. But there may be complexities.

It seems as if a lot of GrapheneOS users want bank apps to agree to run on GrapheneOS.

It seems as if a lot of bank apps want screenshotting disabled.

If GrapheneOS were to disregard app anti-screenshotting requests, bank apps might not agree to run on GrapheneOS.

A similar situation might apply to, for example, Netflix. It seems as if a lot of GrapheneOS users want to use Netflix (at high resolution); Netflix likely disables screenshotting and screen recording.

The GrapheneOS project might decide to support the users who want high-resolution videos, or the users who want to screen-record Netflix videos, but might not be able to support both. Both groups are device owners, so perhaps both "have every right to make demands"?

DeletedUser69

router99 you may be the rightful owner of your device but you don't own the service that you accept to use according to terms and conditions, as it is, that is provided to you free of charge.