Snapchat notifies the sender when you take a screenshot of their Snap, but there might be some ways around this rule.
Here is everything you need to know on how to screenshot on Snapchat without them knowing.
But first…
Should you Take a Screenshot of a Snap?
Snapchat is one of the most popular social media platforms in Australia, currently counting over 6.4m users. One of the reasons for its popularity is strict privacy rules—as most of us know, Snaps disappear after they are viewed.
So before you take a screenshot of someone’s message, think long and hard as to whether it is worth it. Even if the sender is not notified by the app, you are still violating someone’s privacy, jeopardizing your friendship or even putting someone at risk. After all, there is a reason why Snaps are set to delete after being viewed.
How To Screenshot on Snapchat Without Them Knowing
Sometimes the simplest solution is the easiest. If there is a Snap you want to save, the best and most effective method is to use a second device and take a photo of your phone’s screen.
Here is how to secretly screenshot on snapchat with another phone:
- Open the snap you want to save
- Turn on the camera on the other device
- Adjust the brightness and focus to get better image quality
- Take the photo
It is not the most high-tech solution, but it is the only effective way to take a SS without the sender getting notified.
How to screenshot snapchat without them knowing in 2022: Are there any other ways?
Yes, there are other methods you can try, although none are 100% effective and can still result in a notification being sent to the original sender which would defeat the purpose of a secret screenshot.
Even if the user’s profile is public, when you take a SS of it or highlights, the app will send a notification.
Still, you could try some of them out with a friend and see if they work.
1. Use the screen recording feature
Some users claim that you can use the screen recording feature on Android and iPhones to record the Snap. However, this feature does not work on all phones and can still result in a notification being sent to the original sender.
If you decide to go for it, this is how to screenshot a snap without them knowing (hopefully) with the built-in screen recorder.
On Android
1.Swipe down twice and open the Quick Setting menu⇒select Screen recorder
2. While it is recording, open the Snapchat app and find the Snap you want to to keep
3. Once you have recorded it, close the app and stop the recording
On iOS devices
1. Go to Settings⇒Select Control Center⇒click on the Add button next to Screen Recording
2. Tap on the gray Record button in the bottom
3. Exit Control Center, open Snapchat and find the Snap you want to record. Tip: Pin the conversation if you want to find the Snap faster, but note that this is only available on iPhones right now
4. Once done, tap on the Record button to stop recording.
The screenshot will be saved to your Photos app to use as you please.
3. Use QuickTime (if you have a Mac)
Here is a more detailed explanation of how to SS a Snap without them knowing on Macs.
1.Connect your iPhone to your Mac⇒Open the QuickTime Player⇒File⇒New Movie Recording and start recording
2. Select your iPhone for camera input
3. Find the Snap you want to save and record it or take a screenshot of the recording on your Mac screen
Again there is no guarantee that this will work as Snapchat is constantly trying to find new ways to prevent abuse on the platform.
Can you download Snapchat on PCs and Macs?
4.Use Google Assistant
Your Google Assistant can take a screenshot, but the process is tricky. You need to be very fast or you will lose the Snap you want to save.
This is how to screenshot on snapchat without people knowing via Google Assistant:
- Open the Snap you want to save
- Hold down the home button or say “OK, Google” to enable Google Assistant
- Tell it to take a screenshot or type the command in the menu
Since Google Assistant can’t save your screenshot to your Photos app, you will need to share the image via another app and download it there.
Does this method work? It might, although you would need to have Google Assistant on your phone. But as with any other method it is best to try it out on a friend first.
5. Turn on Airplane Mode
In the past, there was a way to screenshot a Snap without a notification being sent by putting your phone into Airplane mode, i.e. disconnecting from the internet.
However, this doesn’t work anymore—even if you have an older phone or earlier version of the app, chances are the sender will still get notified that you have taken a SS of the Snap.
If you decide to give it a try, this is what you need to do:
- Open the app and go to the Snap, but don’t open it yet.
- Turn on Airplane mode on your phone with Snapchat running in the background
- Go back to the app and take a screenshot of the Snap while the phone is still in Airplane mode
- Head to your profile on Snapchat and tap on Settings in the upper right corner
- Select Clear Cache⇒Clear All
- Close Snapchat and turn Airplane mode off
You might be hesitant to try this method since you might lose your data, but in fact clearing the cache on Snapchat does not delete everything from the app.
6. Use third-party apps
You could search Google Play and the App Store for screen recording apps, such as AZ Screen Recorder or Screen Recorder +, however, according to user reports none of these work. Some of these are paid apps, so you might be better off not even trying this method.
Final Thoughts
As mentioned in the starting, one of the biggest benefits of using Snapchat is privacy, so by taking a SS of someone’s Snap you are actually violating that privilege. Don’t do it even if you are 100% sure that the sender will not be notified—more often than not some Snaps are better left alone.
FAQs:
1. Can you tell if someone screenshots your Snapchat?
Yes, Snapchat notifies you when a person takes a screenshot of your snap or conversation. You will get an alert saying ‘You took a screenshot!’, while the user will get a screenshot icon in the Viewers section of their story.
2. Why does Snapchat include screenshot notifications?
Snapchat has strict privacy regulations and even though they can’t stop you from taking a SS, they can notify the sender.
What’s more, you could use the image to extort, threaten or harass someone. Considering that 69% of the app’s underage users report online harassment and bullying, it seems only morally right the app is taking steps to protect the privacy of its users.
