Snapchat’s eyes only feature allows users to send photos and videos that can only be viewed by the recipient once before disappearing. To enable extra security, Snapchat lets you set a custom eyes only password that is required to view your eyes only content.
What is the eyes only feature on Snapchat?
The eyes only feature on Snapchat provides enhanced privacy for sharing certain photos and videos. When sending a snap as eyes only, the recipient must enter a custom password to view the content. Eyes only snaps disappear after being viewed once, just like regular Snapchat photos and videos.
This feature allows Snapchat users to share private or sensitive content with specific friends, without the risk of third parties accessing the snaps. It adds an extra layer of security beyond the standard disappearing message features.
How to set an eyes only password
To set up eyes only security, you need to create a custom password in your Snapchat app settings:
- Open Snapchat and tap on your profile icon in the top left corner
- Go to the Settings screen by tapping the gear icon in the top right
- Scroll down and select ‘My Eyes Only’
- Tap ‘Set Up My Eyes Only’ if you haven’t already enabled the feature
- Enter a secure password that you’ll remember – this can be a word, date, etc.
- Re-enter the password to confirm
Your eyes only password is now set. Any snaps you send as eyes only will require the recipient to enter this password before viewing.
How to send an eyes only snap
After setting up your eyes only password in Snapchat, sending protected snaps is simple:
- Take or select a photo/video as usual within Snapchat
- On the sending screen, tap the ‘More’ icon in the vertical toolbar
- Select ‘My Eyes Only’ to mark the snap as eyes only content
- Send the snap to your desired recipient as normal
The recipient will now have to enter your special eyes only password before they can view the snap. The content will disappear from Snapchat’s servers after being viewed once.
How to view eyes only snaps sent to you
When someone sends you an eyes only snap in Snapchat, you’ll receive a notification letting you know. To view the content, you need to enter their eyes only password:
- Open the snap to bring up the password prompt
- Ask the sender for their eyes only password
- Carefully type the password into the ‘Enter password’ field
- Tap ‘Submit’ to view the snap
If you enter the password correctly, the eyes only snap will unlock and you can view it once before it disappears. If the password is wrong, you won’t be able to access the content.
Forgot your eyes only password?
If you forget the custom password you set for eyes only snaps, there is no password recovery option in Snapchat.
Unfortunately, your only option is to reset the eyes only feature which will delete all eyes only snaps you have sent and received. Here is how to reset eyes only:
- Go to your Snapchat profile and tap the Settings (gear) icon
- Tap ‘My Eyes Only’
- Tap the ‘Reset My Eyes Only’ button
- Confirm that you want to reset – all eyes only snaps will be deleted
After resetting, you can set a new eyes only password that you’ll remember. Let your friends know they’ll have to re-send any eyes only snaps they want you to view.
Best practices for eyes only security
To get the most out of Snapchat’s eyes only feature, be sure to follow these password security best practices:
- Create a long, complex password that others can’t guess
- Don’t use common words, dates, names, or other easily guessed passwords
- Only share your eyes only password in a secure way (verbally) with people you fully trust
- Avoid typing or texting your password to prevent interception
- Change your eyes only password every so often if you suspect it has been compromised
- Never attempt to hack or gain unauthorized access to someone else’s eyes only snaps
Limitations of eyes only
While Snapchat’s eyes only feature provides enhanced security, there are limitations users should keep in mind:
- Eyes only snaps can still be screenshotted or recorded by the recipient before they disappear
- The feature relies on the password not being compromised
- There is no password recovery – resetting eyes only deletes all protected snaps
- Unauthorized access can still occur if your phone is hacked, stolen, or accessed without consent
- Use with trusted recipients only, as eyes only is not fully hack-proof
Conclusion
Snapchat’s eyes only tool gives users an extra level of control over their private and sensitive content. By setting a custom password, you can share disappearing photos and videos with specific friends and prevent third parties from accessing them.
Be sure to follow best practices around password security and only share eyes only content with fully trusted recipients. While not completely foolproof, judicious use of the eyes only feature can help enhance Snapchat privacy.
If you ever forget your password, unfortunately the only option is resetting the eyes only feature – so choose a password you can remember. Overall, eyes only provides a handy option for sharing visually-driven content while limiting unintended access.