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Does the Snapchat screenshot hack still work?

Does the Snapchat screenshot hack still work?

Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. A key feature of Snapchat is that pictures and videos sent between users disappear after being viewed. This gives Snapchat a reputation for privacy and ephemeral sharing.

However, since its launch users have tried to find ways to save Snapchat content without the sender knowing. The most common hack is to take a screenshot of a Snapchat image before it disappears. This allows people to save and potentially redistribute Snapchat content without consent.

Snapchat has fought hard to prevent screenshots, shutting down apps designed to enable secret saving. But users continue looking for workaround screenshot “hacks” to beat the system.

What are the different ways people have tried to screenshot Snapchat?

When Snapchat first launched, it was easy to take screenshots without the other person being notified. All you needed to do was to press the phone’s volume down and power button at the same time when viewing a snap.

As Snapchat gained popularity, third party apps emerged that allowed silent screenshotting. Apps like Snapbox, Snapsave and Casper used workaround to intercept Snapchat data before the image disappeared, allowing screenshots without detection.

Snapchat eventually tightened its security and managed to shut down most of these screenshot hack apps by preventing them from accessing Snapchat servers. A few persisted, but they often stopped working after a short time as Snapchat updated its encryption.

Airplane mode screenshot hack

With third party apps blocked, crafty users came up with another workaround – using Airplane mode on your phone to beat Snapchat screenshot detection.

The steps for the Airplane mode trick are:

  1. Open the snap you want to screenshot as normal
  2. As soon as you open it, turn on Airplane mode on your phone
  3. Take a screenshot of the snap
  4. Close Snapchat
  5. Turn off Airplane mode

The theory behind this hack is that turning on Airplane mode cuts off your phone’s internet access before Snapchat can register that a screenshot has been taken. As long as Snapchat is closed before you reconnect to the internet, it won’t know a screenshot occurred.

Closing app or force quitting

Another slightly simpler tactic is to force close the Snapchat app immediately after taking a screenshot. This stops the app from being able to communicate the screenshot to Snapchat’s servers.

On iPhone, after taking the screenshot you would double click the home button and swipe up on Snapchat to close it. On Android you would open the recent apps menu and swipe Snapchat away.

As with the Airplane mode trick, you need to avoid opening Snapchat again until you are done saving the screenshot.

Screen recording

Screen recording apps were another way people tried to secretly save Snapchat images. By recording your phone’s screen as you viewed a Snapchat, you could capture it on video before it disappeared.

Snapchat has fought hard to block screen recording. On iOS, Snapchat is able to detect when certain screen recording apps are running in the background. It will then throw up a warning message or even refuse to display snaps.

On Android it is a bit easier to record without detection, but Snapchat is still able to block many screen recorder apps from working properly.

Does screenshot detection still work?

Despite people’s best efforts, Snapchat has managed to getting better at detecting unauthorized screenshots over time.

These days, if you try to screenshot a Snapchat message the sender will be notified. A small thumbnail preview of the screenshot appears in the chat window, so they know exactly what image was captured.

Snapchat’s screenshot detection seems to be effective across the range of hacks and workarounds people have tried.

Airplane mode

The Airplane mode trick no longer works – taking a screenshot with Airplane mode enabled still triggers the notification.

Closing the app

Force quitting the Snapchat app immediately after taking a screenshot no longer prevents detection.

Screen recording

Screen recording a Snapchat will also trigger a screenshot notification. Snapchat seems to have effective systems in place to detect and shut down unauthorized screen recording.

Third party apps

Snapchat has also successfully blocked nearly all third party apps from accessing Snapchat and allowing secret screenshots. Any app promising to allow stealthy screenshots is likely a scam.

Does this mean it’s impossible to screenshot Snapchat?

While Snapchat has gotten much better at detecting screenshots, that doesn’t mean it is impossible.

A few workarounds do still seem effective, although they have limitations.

Using another camera

If you really want to discreetly screenshot a Snapchat image, one way is to use a separate camera to photograph the screen.

Obviously the quality will not be great, but this avoids any manipulation of the Snapchat app itself that could be detected.

A drawback is that it only works for still images – any videos will disappear before you can capture them this way.

Rooting/Jailbreaking your phone

On Android it is possible to root your phone and install modified apps and files that can override Snapchat’s screenshot detection.

Similarly, a jailbroken iPhone can have tweaked Snapchat apps installed that allow stealthy screenshotting.

The downside is that rooting and jailbreaking come with security risks, so most avoid it. Also Snapchat may ban accounts that use modified versions of the app.

Conclusion

Snapchat has come a long way in cracking down on screenshot workarounds. While a few limited methods remain, it is now very difficult to secretly save Snapchat pictures and videos.

Any app or technique claiming to allow subtle screenshots is unlikely to actually work. Methods like Airplane mode and closing the app immediately after capturing no longer fool Snapchat’s detection systems.

Trying to screenshot without consent goes against the spirit of Snapchat. With all their security improvements, Snapchat has shown they want screen capturing to require permission from the sender.

While you may be able to find some workarounds like using another camera, these have drawbacks. Plus, such tricks will likely become less and less effective as Snapchat continues honing its screenshot defenses.

For all intents and purposes, the Snapchat screenshot hack no longer works. While not completely impossible, discreetly saving Snaps is very difficult nowadays. Ultimately, the only proper way to save Snapchat content is to ask the sender for permission.

Screenshot Method Still Works?
Airplane Mode No
Closing App Quickly No
Third Party Apps No
Screen Recording No
Using Another Camera Yes, but poor quality
Rooting/Jailbreaking Phone Yes, but not recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Does airplane mode beat Snapchat screenshot detection?

No, using Airplane mode to take a screenshot no longer works – Snapchat is still able to detect it.

Can you screenshot Snapchat without them knowing using other camera?

You can use a separate camera to take a photo of a Snapchat screen before it disappears. However, the image quality will be poor.

Is there any app that can screenshot Snapchat without getting caught?

There are no legit third party apps left that can secretly screenshot Snapchats. Any app claiming to allow stealthy screenshots is probably a scam.

Can Snapchat detect screenshots on Android?

Yes, Snapchat is able to detect unauthorized screenshots on both iPhone and Android devices.

Is it possible to screenshot Snapchat?

You can screenshot Snapchat, but the other person will be notified. It is very difficult to screenshot without the sender being alerted nowadays.

The Ethics of Secretly Taking Screenshots

Trying to capture Snapchats without consent raises ethical issues. Some arguments around the ethics include:

  • Pro: If someone sends you an inappropriate snap, you should be able to gather evidence by screenshotting.
  • Con: Even for inappropriate content, secretly saving it compounds the wrong.
  • Pro: Public figures shouldn’t expect privacy on Snapchat, screenshots help hold them accountable.
  • Con: Public figure or not, everyone deserves consent for distribution of private images.
  • Pro: Snapchat’s screening policy is paternalistic – people should be free to screenshot.
  • Con: The ethics of image-based sexual abuse require services like Snapchat to protect privacy.

Overall, the general consensus is that secret screenshots are unethical in most cases. There are limited exceptions like gathering evidence of abuse or crime.

But in general, if someone sends you an image via Snapchat, you should honor their expectation it is for temporary personal viewing only.

Will Snapchat ever be screenshottable?

Snapchat has maintained its screenshot notification policy for over a decade now. Although some still try to find hacks, it’s unlikely that undetectable screenshots will ever be possible again.

Allowing stealthy screenshots would undermine Snapchat’s core privacy values. Users choose Snapchat because they know screenshots require consent.

Snapchat may eventually evolve its screenshot policy, for example to allow senders to approve certain friends to screenshot their snaps. But unchecked screenshots seem unlikely to ever return.

For the foreseeable future, Snapchat will remain a platform of ephemeral messaging where all screenshots are detectable. Those who want permanent sharing should look to other apps and services.