The “save in chat” option in Snapchat allows users to save a snapshot or video to the chat with a friend instead of having it disappear after viewing. This can be a useful feature for preserving memories or important conversations. However, by default, the “save in chat” option is disabled and must be enabled before it can be used. Here is a look at how to enable this option for yourself or others on Snapchat.
Understanding Save in Chat
When sending a photo or video in Snapchat, the content will disappear after being viewed once by the recipient. This ephemeral nature is a core part of Snapchat and what makes it different from other social platforms. However, sometimes you might want to preserve a Snap, which is where the “save in chat” option comes in.
When enabled, “save in chat” adds a small button that lets you save a Snap to the chat history rather than having it deleted. The saved Snap will remain visible in your chat thread as long as you don’t delete the conversation. Both you and the recipient will be able to view the saved Snap at any time.
Saving in chat is different from saving to Memories. With Memories, the Snap is stored in your personal collection. But with “save in chat,” it sticks around in just that one conversation.
Enabling Save in Chat for Yourself
If you want the option to save Snaps in your own chats, follow these steps:
1. Open your Snapchat app and tap your profile icon in the top left corner.
This will bring up your profile screen.
2. Tap the gear icon to access your Settings page.
The Settings screen has various options for customizing your Snapchat experience.
3. Scroll down and tap “Save in Chat.”
This option will likely be turned off by default, appearing grayed out.
4. Toggle the switch next to “Save in Chat” to the ON position.
When activated, the switch will turn blue.
5. Exit your Settings to save the change.
Now the “save in chat” option will be enabled in your Snapchat app.
Using Save in Chat
Once “save in chat” is turned on, you will see the new feature when sending Snaps.
To save a Snap to chat:
1. Take a photo or video as usual.
Use the capture tools to create your Snap.
2. On the preview screen before sending, tap the downward arrow icon.
This opens a menu of options.
3. Select the “Save in Chat” icon (an arrow pointing down to a line).
This indicates your Snap will be saved.
4. Send the Snap as normal.
After your friend opens it, the Snap will be visible in your chat history.
Both you and your friend can tap the saved Snap to view it again at any time. This makes preserving important chats or fun memories much easier!
Enabling Save in Chat for Others
If you want to let your friends save Snaps in chats with you, there are a couple of options:
– Have them turn on “Save in Chat” in their own Settings. This allows them to choose to save any Snaps they send, including ones to you.
– Turn on “Allow Saving in Chat” in your own Settings. This lets friends save Snaps in chats specifically with you, even if they don’t have “Save in Chat” enabled themselves.
Here is how to enable saving for friends in your chats:
1. Go to your Snapchat Settings and tap “Allow Saving in Chat.”
This option will be below “Save in Chat.”
2. Toggle the switch to the ON position to activate.
When turned on, the switch will turn blue.
Now your friends will see the “save in chat” option when sending Snaps to you, even if they don’t have it enabled. They can choose to save any Snaps they want to your shared chat history.
Who Can See Saved Chats
An important detail about Snapchat’s save in chat feature is that the saved Snaps are only visible to the two users in the conversation.
For example:
- If you save a Snap in a chat with your friend Amy, only you and Amy can see it.
- Other friends you snap with won’t see that saved Snap in your chat history with Amy.
- If Amy saves a Snap to send you, no one else besides you two can view it.
So saving Snaps in chat is a way to privately preserve memories between two friends, without sharing them more broadly like on social media.
Deleting Saved Chats
While enabling “save in chat” provides an easy way to preserve Snaps with friends, you can still delete specific saved Snaps or entire conversations if needed:
– To delete a saved Snap, tap and hold the Snap thumbnail in your chat history. This will bring up a trash can icon to delete that Snap.
– To delete an entire chat, swipe right on the chat in your Friends screen. Tap “Clear Conversation” to erase the chat history and any saved Snaps.
Deleting an individual saved Snap or clearing a whole conversation will permanently erase those saved chats. So use this if you need to get rid of any old Snaps.
Pros of Saving in Chat
Enabling Snapchat’s “save in chat” option offers some nice benefits:
- Preserve memories privately – Keep special Snaps just between you and a friend.
- Add context in conversations – Refer back to previous Snaps for more context.
- Show off creative Snaps – Save your best decorated Snaps to show friends again.
- Remember important info – Like address details, phone numbers, or directions.
- Keep evidence – Save inappropriate Snaps as proof to show authorities.
The key is that saving in chat is private between two friends. So it is useful for personal memories that you don’t need to share publicly on social media.
Cons of Saving in Chat
However, there are some downsides to using Snapchat’s save in chat feature:
- Less ephemeral – It defeats Snapchat’s disappearing design.
- Takes up storage space – Saved Snaps take up room on your device.
- Clutters chats – Too many saved Snaps can clutter up chats.
- Forgetting to delete – You may save unintended things and forget to delete them later.
- Creates false perception – Friends may think Snaps disappear when they actually save them.
The save feature should be used sparingly. Be mindful not to overuse it or let it get messy.
Snapchat Save Limits
Snapchat does limit how many Snaps you can save in chats:
- You can save a maximum of 100 Snaps per chat.
- And you can only save each Snap once in a chat.
If you try to save more than 100 Snaps or repeatedly save the same Snap, you will get an error message that the limit has been reached.
These limits help prevent chats from becoming cluttered. But you can still save up to 100 unique Snaps per chat with each friend.
Other Ways to Save Snaps
In addition to saving in chat, there are a couple other options for preserving Snaps:
Memories – You can save Snaps you take to your private Memories collection. These are organized by date for easy access later.
Screenshots – You can take screenshots to save other people’s Snaps. But keep in mind the app notifies them when you screenshot.
Saving to Memories is best for your own Snaps you want to keep privately. Screenshots work for preserving other people’s public Stories. But save in chat is the only way to preserve mutual Snaps in an ongoing conversation.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s “save in chat” feature provides a simple way to keep those funny, memorable, or important Snaps with friends right in your conversation history. By turning on this option in Settings, you can preserve Snaps without having them disappear forever.
Use this feature occasionally for your favorite Snaps that you want to be able to look back on and laugh about later with friends. But be wary of overusing it or letting too many saved Snaps clutter up chats.
With save in chat enabled, you and your friends can keep those hilarious spontaneous Snaps, fun memories on trips, or even important details you need to reference later. Just remember saved chats are private between two friends and aren’t shared more widely.
Have fun saving Snaps in your chats! But don’t forget Snapping is often best when spontaneous, temporary, and in the moment.
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Key Takeaways
- Turn on “Save in Chat” in your Snapchat Settings to enable it.
- Tap the down arrow on a Snap before sending to save it in chat.
- Turn on “Allow Saving in Chat” to let friends save Snaps specifically in chats with you.
- Saved chats are private between just you and the friend.
- You can save up to 100 unique Snaps per chat.