Enabling the saving of snaps in apps like Snapchat is a common question for many users. While snaps are designed to be ephemeral, there are ways to save them before they disappear. This can be useful if you want to look back on old snaps or keep special ones. However, saving snaps without permission goes against Snapchat’s terms of service.
Why Snaps Disappear
Snaps were originally designed to be deleted after being viewed. This created an informal and authentic feeling for sharing moments between friends. By having snaps disappear, users don’t have to worry about self-consciously curating their content. The ephemeral nature allows them to share silly, ugly, or personal moments without worrying about them living on permanently.
Disappearing snaps also encourage more engagement on the app. Friends will send each other more snaps back and forth if they know they won’t stick around forever. This fosters ongoing conversation and connection between users.
Overall, the disappearing aspect gives Snapchat its casual, in-the-moment appeal. It differentiates it from more permanent social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
How Long Do Snaps Last?
The default snap length is 10 seconds. Recipients can view a snap once before it disappears from the conversation. Users also have the option to customize the time length of snaps:
– 1-10 seconds: Recipient can view snap once.
– 1-60 seconds: Recipient can view snap twice.
– 1-60 seconds: Recipient can view snap indefinitely.
Snapchat also has a feature called Stories where snaps can be posted publicly or to a group of friends. Stories last 24 hours before disappearing.
So while the default is short-lived snaps, there are options to have them viewable for longer periods. But eventually all snaps will delete.
Saving Snapchat Photos
Despite their ephemeral nature, there are ways users have found to save Snapchat pictures:
Screenshots
The easiest way is to simply take a screenshot of the snap before it disappears. On iOS, press the home and lock buttons simultaneously. On Android, press the volume down and power buttons.
This will save the snap photo to your camera roll. But beware – Snapchat sends a notification if you screenshot a snap. So it’s not discreet.
Camera
Another old school tactic is to use a separate camera to take a picture of the screen displaying the snap. This avoids sending a screenshot notification.
Third-party apps
There are apps designed specifically for saving Snapchat pictures. Examples include SaveSnap, Snapbox, and Casper. These will let you bypass screenshot notifications and discreetly save snaps.
However, be cautious as these third-party apps violate Snapchat’s terms of service. Accounts using them risk getting banned if detected.
Saving Snapchat Videos
Photos aren’t the only thing you might want to save. There are ways to keep Snapchat videos too:
Screen recording
On iOS, you can turn on screen recording in Control Center and capture a video of the snap. Android also has built-in screen recording features.
Third-party apps
Like with photos, there are third-party apps that will download Snapchat videos for you. For example, SaveMySnaps and SnapSave. Again, use caution as these are prohibited by Snapchat.
Why Saving Snaps Can Get You Banned
Snapchat expressly prohibits using unauthorized third-party apps or circumventing their protection mechanisms. This includes capturing screenshots, screen recordings, or otherwise saving ephemeral snaps.
If they detect you are using apps that enable saving snaps, Snapchat reserves the right to ban your account. The rules state:
“We prohibit behaviors intended to circumvent our controls. This includes providing products or services that enable our community members to violate these rules.”
So you risk account termination if you rely on certain snap saving apps. Even if you personally don’t use these apps, installing them is grounds for a ban.
Ask Permission Before Saving Someone Else’s Snaps
Importantly, saving someone else’s snaps without their consent raises privacy issues. The sender intended the snap to disappear. By covertly saving it, you violate their expectation of ephemerality.
Before using any method to keep someone else’s snap, it’s courteous to ask if they are comfortable with you saving it. Respect their decision if they decline.
How to Enable Saving Your Own Snaps
While you can’t always save snaps from others, Snapchat does have features to preserve your own. Here are ways to enable saving your personal snaps:
Memories
Snapchat Memories is a private gallery for saving your snaps. To use it:
– Take a snap as usual
– Tap the downward arrow icon in the upper right
– Select “Save to Memories”
Any snaps you choose to save will be available in Memories. You can also edit and re-share them from there.
Change snap settings
When sending a snap, press and hold the blue arrow to bring up options:
– Set a 1-10 second timer to let recipients view it twice.
– Select up to 60 seconds to allow infinite views.
This lets you control how long the recipient can view and screenshot the snap before it disappears.
Post to My Story
Adding snaps to your Story allows friends to view them for 24 hours. You can also save Story snaps by:
– Tapping the downward arrow on the snap in your story
– Selecting “Save”
It will be added to Memories for any snaps you post publicly that you want to keep.
Snapchat Plus for Saving Snaps
Snapchat Plus is a new $3.99 per month subscription that lets you:
– Mark one Snap per day to be saved in Memories.
– Re-watch Stories as many times as you want before they expire.
So with Snapchat Plus you can easily save your favorite Snap daily without cramming it into Memories manually.
Conclusion
While Snapchat’s allure is in ephemeral sharing, there are ways to preserve snaps in limited circumstances. You can save your own with Memories, adjust time limits, or use Snapchat Plus. However, capturing snaps from others covertly puts your account at risk. Always ask permission first or view saving their content as a violation of trust. Ultimately, respect Snapchat’s intent even if you want to keep some special snaps.