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Can you do Snapchat on PC?

Can you do Snapchat on PC?

Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media apps, with over 293 million daily active users as of Q2 2022. The app allows users to send photo and video messages that disappear after being viewed. Snapchat was originally designed as a mobile-only app, but many users wonder if it’s possible to use Snapchat on their desktop or laptop computer.

Is there an official Snapchat app for PC?

Currently, there is no official Snapchat app available for Windows or Mac computers. Snapchat has remained a mobile-only app since its launch in 2011. The company has not announced plans to develop a native Snapchat app for PCs.

Without an official desktop app, the only way to use Snapchat on a computer is through workarounds and third-party tools. There are a few different options that allow access to Snapchat on PCs in roundabout ways. But ultimately, the Snapchat experience is optimized for mobile devices.

Use Snapchat on PC with an Android Emulator

One of the most common ways to use Snapchat on a PC is by running the Android version of the app through an Android emulator. An emulator mimics an Android environment on your computer, allowing you to install Android apps. Here are some emulator options:

Bluestacks

Bluestacks is a free Android emulator for Windows and Mac. After installing Bluestacks, you can access the Google Play Store and download the Android version of Snapchat. When you run Snapchat through Bluestacks, you can use the app on your computer just like on an Android phone.

The major downside is that Bluestacks can run slowly at times. Snapchat’s camera and video features may have performance issues. But for basic chatting and viewing Stories, Bluestacks provides an easy way to access Snapchat on a desktop.

NoxPlayer

NoxPlayer is another free Android emulator for PC and Mac. It provides an optimized gaming experience, which can improve Snapchat’s speed and performance compared to Bluestacks. NoxPlayer also includes customizable controls and keyboard mapping for easier navigation.

On the downside, NoxPlayer has occasional stability issues. The emulator can crash when running apps for an extended period. But overall, it delivers smooth Snapchat performance if you don’t need prolonged, continuous usage.

LDPlayer

LDPlayer is a free Android emulator focused on gaming performance. It provides good Snapchat optimization, including options to prioritize CPU and RAM usage for faster speeds. LDPlayer also lets you link your Google Play account to easily install apps and save data.

However, LDPlayer has limited platform support, only working on Windows PCs currently. And its interface is not as user-friendly as other emulators. But LDPlayer is a solid option for efficiently running Snapchat on a Windows desktop.

Access Snapchat on PC via Remote Access from Mobile

Another workaround is using remote access to view your phone’s Snapchat from your computer screen. This option gives you full access to the official mobile app from your PC. Here are some remote access tools to try:

TeamViewer

TeamViewer is a popular remote desktop tool. After installing the app on both your computer and phone, you can remotely control your phone from your PC. TeamViewer will mirror your phone screen on your desktop monitor, allowing you to use the full mobile version of Snapchat.

The benefit of TeamViewer is convenience – you don’t have to install anything new on your phone. But there is significant input lag when controlling your device remotely. Typing and navigating the touchscreen interface can be slow.

Scrcpy

Scrcpy is an open source remote access tool specific for Android devices. It provides very low latency mirroring, giving you smooth remote control of Snapchat. Scrcpy also supports keyboard and mouse input natively.

However, Scrcpy has a more complex setup process compared to other options. You’ll need to enable USB debugging on your Android device and install the ADB driver on your computer. The advanced configuration makes Scrcpy less accessible for casual users.

Vysor

Vysor provides easy remote viewing of Android phones on a PC. After installing Vysor’s Chrome app, connect your phone via USB or wirelessly to mirror device screens. Vysor has minimal lag for smooth navigation. There is a free version with limitations or a paid Pro subscription for full features.

Vysor doesn’t officially support keyboard control, but you can approximate taps and swipes using your mouse. The free version displays ads occasionally. But overall, Vysor delivers solid performance without much setup complexity.

Use Unofficial Snapchat Clients for PC

Unofficial third-party Snapchat clients have been developed specifically for PC use. These provide native apps that run Snapchat-like services on desktop platforms. Some examples include:

SnapCamera

SnapCamera is a popular fan-made Snapchat client for Windows and Mac. It mimics core Snapchat features like viewing Stories, sending photo Snaps, applying filters, and more. SnapCamera matches the original app’s look and feel for a seamless experience.

However, SnapCamera lacks some Snapchat features like videos, friend management, and lens exploration. And there are occasional bugs since it is unofficial software maintained by fans.

Snapped

Snapped is another unofficial Snapchat app built for Windows PCs. It provides the core Snapchat Stories and messaging functions. Snapped also integrates Snapchat Lenses for fun effects.

But like other third-party clients, Snapped is not fully featured. It has limited filter options and no videos. And lacks the overall polish of official Snapchat. But it does offer a more native PC Snapchat-like experience.

Snap Eagle

SnapEagle is a newer Snapchat client for Windows modeled after the app’s new visual refresh. It provides an elegant interface with Stories, messaging, filters, and account management. SnapEagle also has Chrome and Firefox browser extensions for easy access.

However, SnapEagle is still under development and has stability issues. Performance can be slow and buggy. But the client shows promise to potentially evolve into a more robust Snapchat clone as work continues.

Use Snapchat Website on PC

Snapchat does have an official web-based platform that works on PCs. By going to Snapchat.com in your desktop web browser, you can access some Snapchat features, like:

  • Viewing public Stories and Snapchat Original shows
  • Checking out Lenses
  • Exploring celebrity profiles and stories
  • Viewing Snapchat trophies and achievements

However, you cannot use any messaging features on the Snapchat website. That includes viewing private Stories, sending Snaps, having conversations, adding friends, etc. The website is mainly for passive consuming of public content, not active Snapping.

Screen Mirroring Your Phone to PC

If the above options don’t work for your needs, you can also directly mirror your phone’s screen to your desktop display. This will show a real-time feed of your phone on the computer monitor, allowing full use of mobile Snapchat.

Options for screen mirroring include:

  • Using a cable like HDMI or a adapter like Chromecast
  • Connecting wirelessly via Miracast or media server apps like Plex
  • Employing screen mirroring apps like ApowerMirror or LonelyScreen

The benefit of screen mirroring is complete mobile access from your desktop. But it can introduce lag, lower frame rates, and reduced quality depending on your setup. You also typically need to keep your phone on and awake during use.

Conclusion

While Snapchat is designed as a mobile experience, there are ways to access and use Snapchat on your Windows or Mac computer:

  • Android emulators like Bluestacks allow you to install the mobile app on desktop.
  • Remote access tools like TeamViewer give control of your phone’s Snapchat from your PC.
  • Unofficial clients like SnapCamera recreate Snapchat on PC platforms.
  • The Snapchat website offers limited, read-only access to public content.
  • Screen mirroring your phone is always an option too.

Ultimately, Snapchat is still optimized for mobile use. But if you want the convenience of Snapchat on a bigger screen, these methods can get you chatting and Snapping from your desktop or laptop computer.