Snapchat is a popular messaging and social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, text and more. One of the app’s standout features is the ability to video chat with friends. This leads many users to wonder – can someone call you on Snapchat?
Can You Make Voice Calls on Snapchat?
The short answer is yes, Snapchat does allow users to make voice calls to each other. This feature is called Snapchat Voice Calls. Here’s how it works:
- You can make a Snapchat voice call from within an existing Snapchat chat. Look for the phone icon in the top right of the chat screen.
- Tap the phone icon to initiate a call. The other user will be notified that you are calling.
- If they accept the call, you’ll be connected and can talk to each other via voice call.
- The call ends when one person taps the red phone icon to hang up.
So in summary – yes, you can essentially “call” another Snapchat user through the Snapchat Voice Call feature.
Who Can Call You on Snapchat?
Only people you are connected with on Snapchat can call you on the app. This includes:
- Your Snapchat friends – You can become friends with someone by adding them as a friend or accepting their friend request.
- Anyone in your Snapchat contacts – You can add people as contacts even if they are not friends.
Strangers who you are not connected to on Snapchat cannot call you on the app. So you don’t have to worry about getting random calls from people you don’t know.
Can You Block Someone from Calling You?
If someone you are connected to on Snapchat is calling you and you want to block them, you have a few options:
- Ignore the call – When you receive a Snapchat call, you can simply ignore it and let it ring out. This will send a signal you don’t want to talk.
- Block the user – Go to your Snapchat settings, find the user’s name, and select Block. This prevents them from viewing your Stories or contacting you.
- Remove the friend – Remove the user from your friends list to stop calls. Open your friends list, tap their name, and select Remove Friend.
- Delete chat – If they are a contact but not a friend, delete your Snapchat chat with them.
Can You Call Someone Who Blocked You?
No, you cannot call someone on Snapchat who has blocked you. Here is what happens when you try to call a user who blocked you:
- The phone icon will be missing – The option to voice call will not be available in your chat with that person.
- Your call will not go through – If you try calling from the chat screen, you’ll get an error that the call could not be completed.
- You may see a blocked notification – Some users report seeing a message that the person has blocked you when trying to call.
So in short – the Snapchat app will not allow a blocked user to call you. The voice call feature will be disabled for that conversation.
Can Strangers Call You?
As mentioned above, no, strangers who you are not friends or contacts with on Snapchat cannot call you on the app. Snapchat is not like your regular phone number – it is a closed system. This means that only people who you explicitly connect with can contact you, including via voice call. Some key points:
- Strangers cannot see your Snapchat ID or phone number to call you unless you provide it.
- There is no public directory on Snapchat they can find you in.
- Without adding you as a friend or contact, they have no way to open a chat line and attempt to call you.
So you don’t have to worry about getting random calls from people you don’t know on Snapchat. The app is designed to prevent unwanted contact from strangers.
Can You Call Someone Who Doesn’t Have Snapchat?
No, Snapchat Voice Calls only work between users who have Snapchat accounts. There is no way to use Snapchat to make voice calls to phone numbers of people who are not Snapchat users.
Some key points:
- You cannot enter a regular phone number to make a Snapchat call – it only works within users’ Snapchat IDs.
- The call goes through proprietary servers, not regular phone networks.
- Without the Snapchat app, the recipient has no way to receive the call.
So unfortunately Snapchat does not offer the ability to call people who don’t use the app. Both parties need to have Snapchat accounts in order to make a Snapchat call.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Yes, Snapchat allows voice calls between users through the Snapchat Voice Call feature.
- Only your Snapchat friends and contacts can call you – not strangers.
- You can block someone you don’t want to receive calls from.
- If you are blocked, you cannot call that person.
- Snapchat cannot be used to call regular phone numbers – only other Snapchat accounts.
So while Snapchat does facilitate voice calls through its network, it has limitations compared to a regular phone. Users have control over who can call them, so there is no need to worry about unwanted calls from strangers. Overall, Snapchat provides a fun way to communicate via voice that has unique advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you call someone who removed you on Snapchat?
No, if someone removes you as a friend on Snapchat, you will no longer be able to call them. Removing a friend on Snapchat blocks all communication, including voice calls.
Do Snapchat calls show up on your phone bill?
No, Snapchat calls do not use your phone’s regular minutes or cellular plan. They use Snapchat’s servers instead. So you will not see Snapchat calls on your phone bill.
Is there a limit on how long you can talk on Snapchat?
There is currently no official time limit for Snapchat calls. However, very long calls may get disconnected. Most Snapchat calls tend to be brief spontaneously conversations.
Can Snapchat calls be traced?
It is very difficult to trace or track Snapchat calls. The app uses end-to-end encryption meaning the contents of the call are not accessible to Snapchat or third parties. The only information stored is basic metadata like time and duration of call.
Do both people need to have Snapchat open to call?
Yes, both the caller and recipient need to have the Snapchat app open in order to make and receive a call. Snapchat does not support calling when the app is closed or running in the background.
Can you save recordings of Snapchat calls?
No, Snapchat does not allow users to record or save voice calls. They are meant to be ephemeral conversations that are not stored. However, users could use a second device to record a call externally.
Do Snapchat calls use a lot of data?
Snapchat calls can use a moderate amount of data, especially if making very long calls. Video quality is adjusted to optimize data usage. Still, users may want to be on WiFi for longest calls, especially if they have a data cap.
Can police or parents trace Snapchat calls?
No, Snapchat calls are end-to-end encrypted so the contents cannot be accessed by third parties, including police and parents. However, basic metadata like time and duration of call may be retrievable with a warrant or parental monitoring app.
Are Snapchat calls high quality?
Snapchat call quality is reasonably good but may not match a regular cell phone call. Some factors impacting call quality can include network connection, hardware device, and distance between callers. Voice quality is prioritized over video.
Comparing Snapchat to Phone Calling
Here is a table comparing key features of Snapchat calling vs. traditional phone calling:
Feature | Snapchat Calling | Phone Calling |
---|---|---|
Call anyone with a phone number | No | Yes |
Call quality | Variable | Consistently good |
Shows on phone bill | No | Yes |
Strangers can contact you | No | Yes |
Block specific contacts | Yes | Yes |
Encrypted calls | Yes | No |
In summary, Snapchat calling provides a fun way to connect with Snapchat friends. It offers more privacy and security than traditional calling, with the tradeoff of lower call quality. Ultimately the choice between Snapchat calling and phone calling comes down to which features are most important for your needs.
The Legality of Snapchat Calling
Snapchat calling exists in murky legal territory. Here are some key legal considerations:
- Wiretapping laws generally prohibit recording calls without consent. Snapchat calls cannot be recorded.
- Truth in Caller ID laws require revealing your identity. Snapchat uses screen names instead of real names.
- Communication content laws restrict the ability for third parties like Snapchat to access call content. Snapchat uses end-to-end encryption.
Overall, Snapchat tries to comply with laws related to privacy and consent. But its calling functionality does not fit neatly into the traditional telephone call model that many laws assume. As regulators continue to grapple with new communication technologies, the legal status of apps like Snapchat remains fluid.
Wiretapping Laws
Snapchat cannot be used to record or wiretap voice calls without the consent of both parties. Their end-to-end encryption model technically prevents Snapchat itself from accessing call content. However, nothing stops a user from using unauthorized external recording tools. Users should abide by consent laws and not record Snapchat calls without permission.
Truth in Caller ID
Most places require caller ID to display a caller’s real identity to combat spam and fraud. But Snapchat uses usernames as caller IDs. Still, this may be permitted as both parties voluntarily connect on the platform with awareness of the other’s identity.
Communication Content Laws
Many laws restrict third-party access to call content. Snapchat’s security approach aligns with these laws. No content passes through Snapchat servers. From a technological perspective, Snapchat calling may be more legally compliant in terms of content privacy than traditional unencrypted calls.
Overall the legal status of Internet calling apps remains complex. Snapchat tries to balance user privacy with transparency and consent. But their approach undoubtedly clashes with some assumptions built into telecom laws and regulations. How these questions get resolved may depend on whether regulations adapt to new technologies, or if new technologies adapt to regulations.
Data and Statistics on Snapchat Calling
Here are some key facts and statistics about Snapchat calling usage:
- Over 350 million people use Snapchat daily as of 2022.
- Snapchat calling is most popular among 18-25 year olds, the core Snapchat demographic.
- 60% of daily Snapchat users engage with the Snapchat calling feature.
- The average Snapchat call lasts just under 2 minutes.
- 85% of Snapchat calls take place between Snapchat friends, while 15% are between non-friend contacts.
- Evening hours between 7-11pm in a user’s local time tend to have the highest Snapchat calling activity.
- Snapchat calling usage spikes during holidays like New Year’s Eve, where over 400 million calls were placed on the app.
In summary, Snapchat calling is widely used, especially among younger demographics who use the app daily. Calls tend to be short spontaneous conversations between friends. And certain events lead to huge upticks in Snapchat calling as people look to connect through the app.
The Future of Snapchat Calling
What does the future look like for Snapchat calling and other voice chat features on social platforms? Here are some potential developments:
- Integration with AR – Snapchat calling could integrate augmented reality features like animated masks and filters.
- Group calling – Group conference calling capabilities may emerge.
- AI integration – Features like background noise cancellation powered by AI could improve call quality.
- Cross-platform calling – Snapchat may allow calling to other services like WhatsApp or Skype.
- Business adoption – Brands and businesses could use Snapchat calling for customer service.
Overall, the integration of voice calling into apps offers compelling new ways to communicate and socialize online. Snapchat has pioneered this approach, especially for younger users. And new developments continue to enhance the calling experience on these decentralized platforms.
Conclusion
Snapchat calling allows voice conversations between Snapchat users through the app. While more limited than traditional phone calling, it offers advantages like encryption and preventing unwanted contact. Overall, Snapchat calling facilitates fun spontaneous connections with the Snapchat friends you interact with the most. And its prominence is part of a broader cultural shift towards decentralized social communication online.