Snapchat is a popular messaging app known for its disappearing messages that get deleted after being viewed. By default, Snapchat deletes messages once they have been opened by the recipient. However, there are a few different ways you can save Snapchat messages and set things up so they don’t get deleted.
Saving Individual Snaps
If you just want to save specific snaps instead of changing settings for all messages, there are a couple of options:
- Screenshot the snap before opening it. This will save the image to your camera roll.
- On Android devices, you can use a third party app like SnapSaver to save snaps without the sender knowing.
- Replay the snap if it’s available. You get one replay every 24 hours, so you can replay a snap to view it again before it disappears.
Screenshotting is the easiest way to quickly save a particular snap you want to keep. Just be aware that the sender will be notified if you screenshot their snap.
Changing Settings to Save All Snaps
If you regularly want to save all your Snapchat messages, you can change some settings to prevent snaps from deleting after being viewed:
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Snapchat and toggle off the setting for Delete Opened Snaps.
- On Android, go to Additional Services in Snapchat settings and toggle off Delete Opened Snaps.
With this setting disabled, snaps will remain after you view them so you can re-open them from your chat history. The tradeoff is that more snaps will be taking up space on your device storage.
Using a Third Party App
There are various third party apps that can help save Snapchat messages, images, videos, and stories without the sender knowing. Here are some of the more popular options:
- Snapchat Saver Apps: Apps like SnapSaver and SaveMySnaps for Android allow saving snaps discreetly.
- Snapchat Viewer Apps: Apps like Snapchat++ and SnapTools for iOS let you replay snaps and view stories without limits.
- Snapchat Recovery Apps: Apps like iMyFone D-Back can recover deleted snaps and memories from Snapchat.
The specific features vary across apps, but they typically allow discreet saving, replaying snaps, bypassing limits, and recovering deleted snaps. However, many of these third party apps violate Snapchat’s terms of service.
Using Airplane Mode to View Snaps
A trick that used to work to view snaps indefinitely was to put your device in Airplane mode before opening the snap. This prevents the deletion request from being sent, so the snap remains available to view in the chat.
However, Snapchat has now fixed this workaround, so turning on Airplane mode no longer prevents snaps from deleting. Still, it can occasionally work if you haven’t updated the app to the latest version.
Using Snapchat Web
Snapchat’s web version at snapchat.com/web allows you to view snaps and stories from your browser. Similar to the Airplane mode trick, this can sometimes prevent the deletion signal from being sent properly so snaps remain available.
However, this does not work consistently and should not be relied upon as a way to permanently save snaps. The web app is mainly intended for convenience, not avoiding deletions.
Saving Chat Conversations
While individual snaps get deleted, your Snapchat chat conversations remain in your message history by default. To save a chat:
- On Android: Tap and hold on the chat, then tap the Export Chat option.
- On iOS: Tap the chat name, then tap Export Chat.
This will save the full conversation including text messages, snaps, photos, and videos shared in the chat. The exported chat can be saved to your camera roll or gallery.
Saving Snapchat Memories
Snapchat Memories are the photos, videos, and stories you choose to save within Snapchat. To save snaps to Memories:
- After taking a snap, tap the Memories icon instead of sending it.
- Open a received snap, then tap the Save to Memories icon.
- Screenshot or use a saver app to save stories before they disappear.
Memories do not get deleted and can be viewed within the Snapchat app at anytime. You can also export Memories to save them to your camera roll.
Conclusion
While Snapchat is designed to be ephemeral, there are still several ways to save snaps, chats, and stories:
- Screenshotting specific snaps
- Changing settings to disable auto-deletion
- Using third party apps to bypass limits
- Exporting chat conversations from message history
- Saving snaps, photos, and videos to Memories
However, saving Snapchat messages without the sender’s knowledge violates the app’s terms of service. The safest method is to use the in-app Memories feature to consciously choose which snaps you want to keep permanently.
Overall, Snapchat’s system is designed for privacy and ephemerality, so workarounds have limitations. But with the right settings and tools, you can optionally keep Snapchat messages for as long as you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Snapchat notify when you screenshot?
Yes, Snapchat sends a notification to the sender if you take a screenshot of their snap. The exception is if you use a third party app to screenshot, which can avoid triggering the notification.
Do messages stay on Snapchat?
By default, Snapchat deletes messages once they are viewed. However, chat conversations remain in your message history, and you can save specific messages to Memories. Changing app settings can also allow snaps to remain after viewing.
Why won’t my phone let me screenshot Snapchat?
Some Android devices block screenshots in selected apps due to security settings. You can enable screenshot permissions by going to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Permissions and allowing screenshots.
Does Snapchat notify if you replay a snap?
Yes, Snapchat always sends a notification when you replay a snap using your one Replay per day. Replaying via third party apps allows you to bypass the replay limit and notification.
How long do snaps stay in pending on Snapchat?
Pending snaps that recipients have not opened yet will expire after 30 days. Screenshotting is the only way to save a pending snap before it disappears after 30 days.
Other Snapchat Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips for using Snapchat:
- To add captions, doodles, filters, and stickers to snaps, tap icons on the preview screen before sending.
- Press and hold on faces in Camera mode to activate lenses and face filters.
- Double tap a snap to reply with your own snap.
- Draw shapes and text by pressing and holding in the viewfinder.
- View stories from events and locations by subscribing to Our Stories.
- Unlock new filters by swiping right on the Camera screen to browse options.
- Share snaps to your Story for all friends to view by selecting My Story.
- Add Bitmoji as a friend for animated stickers featuring your avatar.
With its vanishing messages that can optionally be saved, Snapchat caters to users who want a more private messaging experience. Follow these tips on saving snaps, chats, and stories to get the most out of Snapchat.