When you make a Snapchat call, you have the option to mute yourself so that the other person can’t hear you. This can be useful if you need to quickly talk to someone else in the room without the caller overhearing. But can they tell if you’ve muted yourself? Here’s a quick overview of how muting works on Snapchat calls and whether it’s noticeable to the other person.
Does Snapchat show when you mute yourself?
No, Snapchat does not directly indicate to the other caller when you’ve muted yourself on a call. There is no visual cue or notification that pops up letting them know you’ve toggled off the sound from your end. So if you mute yourself briefly during a Snapchat call, the other person will not definitively know unless you tell them.
Why Snapchat doesn’t show mute status
Snapchat likely avoids showing mute status for a couple reasons:
- To avoid cluttering the minimalist in-call interface
- To encourage open communication without over-monitoring mute habits
- To maintain user privacy and control over when to mute
The Snapchat calling screen places an emphasis on seeing the other person’s face and reactions. Displaying constant mute indicators could detract from that visual experience. Snapchat also aims to create a comfortable, authentic feeling to calling where users don’t feel over-scrutinized. So the choice not to show mute status aligns with those goals.
Can someone tell if you mute yourself?
While Snapchat itself does not reveal mute status, there are some ways the other caller might be able to discern when you’ve muted yourself:
1. Lack of sound from your end
The most obvious cue is that the other person will stop hearing any audio coming from you when you mute. So if you are talking and then suddenly go silent when muted, the lack of sound could indicate you’ve cut off your mic.
2. Your reactions and engagement
Similarly, the other caller might pick up that you are muted based on visual cues like your facial expressions and reactions. If you appear disengaged or distracted when you are muted, the other person may deduce that you have muted the call.
3. You tell them
There is no way to know for certain if you have muted on Snapchat unless you explicitly tell the other caller. You can always verbally communicate that you are muting and unmuting yourself on the call.
Can you mute on Snapchat video call without the other person knowing?
It is possible to briefly mute yourself on a Snapchat call without the other caller realizing it. Here are some tips:
- Only mute for short periods so your lack of audio doesn’t become obvious.
- Nod, smile, and use engaged facial expressions when muted so you appear present.
- Unmute yourself and briefly re-engage so the other person doesn’t have time to notice the lack of sound from you.
- Blame any pause in conversation on glitchy connection rather than muting if questioned.
However, muting for an extended period of time will likely be noticeable. The other caller will pick up that they can’t hear you sooner or later. So you won’t be able to mute secretly for an entire call.
How do you mute yourself on Snapchat call?
Muting yourself on a Snapchat call only takes a couple taps:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen during the call to open your menu.
- Tap the mute button next to your profile icon.
- Tap the button again when you want to unmute.
You’ll see a strikethrough line on the mic button when mute is enabled. That’s the only visible indication that you’ve muted on your own screen.
Can you tell if someone else is muted?
Just as others can’t definitively tell if you mute yourself, you also can’t directly tell if another caller has muted their mic on Snapchat. There is no mute status indicator for their end. You will simply have to listen for their audio stopping and rely on visual cues to guess if they’ve muted.
Conclusion
To recap, Snapchat does not show mute status during calls. However, someone may be able to deduce you’ve muted yourself based on lack of audio and visual engagement. Brief mutes are less obvious. You can only truly know if another caller has muted by asking them directly. While muting isn’t revealed in Snapchat, it’s still good etiquette to minimize extended mutes and communicate openly when possible.
| Can other person directly see mute status? | No |
|---|---|
| Can they likely tell you muted by sound stopping? | Yes |
| Are quick, subtle mutes noticeable? | Less likely |
| Can you see if other person is muted? | No |
Other Snapchat call tips
Beyond muting, there are some other useful things to know about Snapchat calls:
Call notifications
You’ll get a notification when someone is calling you on Snapchat. This will appear even if you’re already in another app. The call screen will pop up after you accept the notification. But you can also dismiss a call and respond by text chat if needed.
No call history
Snapchat does not save a call history or log. So you can’t look back to see who you called or who called you within the app. Snaps also delete automatically after viewing, so no record is kept.
Connecting with groups
While you can only have an audio or video call with one friend at a time, you can chat with groups of up to 16 people. Swipe left on the Camera screen to start a group chat.
Using lenses during calls
One Snapchat signature feature is lenses that add effects and filters to your face. You can still use lenses to enhance your look even during calls. Tap the smiling face icon during a video call to browse lenses.
Recording calls
There is no native option in Snapchat currently to record your calls. You would need to rely on a third-party app to record video or audio. And you should inform the other caller if you intend to record.
The bottom line
Snapchat provides a way to mute yourself on calls while keeping your privacy. While the other person can’t definitively see if you’ve muted, muting for too long could become obvious from lack of sound. Make sure to unmute and re-engage regularly if you want to mute during a call. And respect the expectations of the other caller by not recording without consent. Follow these tips to have pleasant Snapchat call experiences.