Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to share photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. One of Snapchat’s key features is Stories, which allow you to post content that remains viewable for 24 hours. A common question that arises is whether it’s possible to download Snapchat stories to view them offline or save them permanently.
Can you save Snapchat stories?
The short answer is yes, there are ways to download and save Snapchat stories. However, downloading stories directly from Snapchat is not an officially supported feature. Snapchat intends stories to be ephemeral content that disappears, so there is no built-in way to save them.
That said, there are some workarounds that allow you to record and download Snapchat stories. The main methods are:
- Using a third-party app or extension
- Screen recording the story
- Taking a screenshot
Each of these has some advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Using third-party apps to save Snapchat stories
There are a number of third-party apps available that can be used to download Snapchat stories. These work by accessing your Snapchat data and allowing you to save stories to your camera roll or device storage. Some popular options include:
- SnapSave – An app available for iOS and Android devices that saves stories as videos or photos.
- SnapCrack – A Windows-based application that allows downloading of stories.
- Snapbox – A web-based service that saves Snapchat stories to the cloud.
- SnapX – An Android app for downloading and saving stories.
The advantage of using these third-party services is that they provide an easy way to bulk download multiple Snapchat stories and save them directly to your device. However, there are some downsides:
- Third-party apps often have to use workaround methods that may stop working if Snapchat blocks them.
- You have to provide access to your Snapchat account data, which raises privacy and security concerns.
- Snapchat doesn’t allow use of third-party apps and may ban accounts connected to them.
Screen recording Snapchat stories
Another option is to screen record Snapchat stories as they play. This can be done using your device’s built-in screen recording function:
- On iPhone, you can use the Screen Recording feature in Control Center.
- On Android, enable screen recording in Quick Settings or use a preinstalled tool like Mobizen.
- There are also third-party screen recorder apps you can download.
Screen recording allows you to capture Snapchat stories as video files to save and watch later. The advantages of this method are:
- It doesn’t require giving app access to your Snapchat data.
- There is little risk of your Snapchat account being banned.
- You can record stories discreetly without detection.
The downside is that you have to manually record each story, which can be time consuming. The video quality may also not be great depending on your device.
Taking screenshots of Snapchat stories
A simpler option is to take screenshots of Snapchat stories frame-by-frame as you view them. To do this:
- Open the Snapchat story you want to save.
- As it progresses through snaps, take screenshots by pressing Volume Down + Power (iPhone) or Volume Down + Power (Android).
- Screenshots will be saved to your camera roll.
The advantages of using screenshots are:
- It’s very easy to do.
- No third-party apps required.
- Allows saving specific snaps you want to keep.
The disadvantages are:
- Time consuming to manually screenshot each snap.
- Only saves static images, not videos.
- Screenshots may be poor quality or capture unwanted UI.
Third-party apps and tools for downloading Snapchat stories
Here is more detail on some of the top third-party apps and tools that allow saving Snapchat stories:
SnapSave (iOS and Android)
SnapSave is a popular app available for both iPhone and Android that lets you download Snapchat stories, snaps, profiles and more. To use it:
- Download and install the SnapSave app.
- Log into your Snapchat account through SnapSave.
- You can then view and download any stories or snaps as video or photo files.
- Files are saved within the SnapSave app gallery or to your camera roll.
SnapSave has a simple interface and handy features like the ability to download stories in bulk. However, Snapchat actively works to block tools like SnapSave and limits may be put in place to prevent use.
SnapCrack (Windows)
SnapCrack is one of the more popular Windows-based tools for downloading Snapchat files. It works by logging into your Snapchat account through SnapCrack and then allowing you to view and download stories or snaps.
Key features include:
- Bulk downloading of stories, snaps, profiles, chat logs.
- Ability to download full high-quality videos.
- No watermarks on saved files.
SnapCrack has been around for several years but Snapchat does try to block it and limits may be hit for downloading a lot of content.
Snapbox (Web-based)
Snapbox is different from other tools in that it is entirely web-based and doesn’t require an app. You just visit the Snapbox website, log in with your Snapchat credentials, and can then view and download stories or snaps.
The key advantage of Snapbox is that files are saved online to the cloud instead of locally on your device. This makes it easy to access your downloaded Snapchat files on any device. However, having files saved online raises some privacy concerns.
SnapX (Android)
SnapX is a Snapchat downloading app specifically designed for Android devices. Like other tools, it requires logging into your Snapchat account and then allows downloading stories, snaps, profiles and other data.
Some key features that make SnapX popular include:
- Ability to password protect and hide the app.
- Option to download anonymously without login.
- No watermark on downloaded files.
SnapX claims to be “undetectable” by Snapchat, but restrictions may still be put in place if downloading a lot of content.
How Snapchat detects third-party apps
Snapchat actively works to detect and block third-party apps and tools that allow saving Snapchat stories and snaps. Here are some of the key ways Snapchat tries to identify use of unauthorized apps:
- Monitoring login activity – Snapchat tracks logins from unknown devices and services.
- Captcha prompts – Suspicious login attempts trigger captcha verification.
- Spam checks – Unusual downloading activity may trigger spam restriction.
- API blocks – The API third-party apps rely on is aggressively monitored and limited.
These measures allow Snapchat to identify suspicious activity and clamp down by limiting logins, imposing captchas, blocking APIs, or even suspending accounts in some cases.
Is it illegal to download Snapchat stories?
There is nothing strictly illegal about using third-party apps or tools to download Snapchat stories. However, it does violate Snapchat’s Terms of Service.
The Snapchat Terms of Service state:
You cannot use tools that alter our services, do anything illegal, dangerous, or harmful, or engage in conduct that is threatening or abusive.
Snapchat argues that using third-party apps violates these terms by improperly accessing their service and altering the intended ephemeral nature of Snapchat. So while unlikely to result in legal action, it does breach Snapchat’s user policies.
There have been situations where Snapchat has temporarily locked user accounts for violation of terms, usually related to spammy or abusive behavior. In most cases, simply stopping use of any prohibited third-party apps and tools restores access after a short lockout.
Risks and concerns with downloading Snapchat stories
While it is possible to save Snapchat stories, there are some risks and concerns to keep in mind:
- Account bans – Snapchat may ban accounts that use third-party apps, although bans are not that common.
- Privacy issues – Third-party apps require access to your data and must be trusted.
- Legal concerns -Downloading private or copyrighted content raises legal issues.
- Quality issues – Screen recordings and screenshots may be poor quality.
In most cases, Snapchat tolerates some downloading through unofficial apps and tools. But excessive use may get your account suspended. Always be mindful of privacy and copyrights as well.
Can you recover deleted Snapchat stories?
No, there is no official way to recover deleted Snapchat stories. Since Snapchat is designed so that stories disappear after 24 hours, they are automatically deleted from Snapchat’s servers after that time.
Even if you accidentally delete a story early, once it’s gone from the app there is no way to retrieve it through Snapchat. The only way to capture stories before deletion is by downloading them using one of the third-party methods when they are initially posted.
Conclusion
While Snapchat intends stories to be temporary content, there are ways to download and save Snapchat stories with third-party apps or tools. Methods like using screenshot capture, screen recording, or dedicated story saver apps can help preserve stories you want to keep.
However, these tools violate Snapchat’s terms of service and some risks exist like account bans. Use third-party downloading methods judiciously and avoid privacy violations or excessive downloading to avoid issues. With the right approach, you can safely keep Snapchat stories that matter most.