Quick Answer
You can create a Snapchat account without downloading the app by using Snapchat’s web version at https://snapchat.com. Here are the key steps:
- Go to https://snapchat.com and click “Sign Up”
- Enter your email address and create a password
- Enter your birthday and gender
- Agree to Snapchat’s terms and conditions
- Verify your email address
- Set a username
- Add friends by username or phone number
Once your account is set up, you can use Snapchat’s web version to take and share snaps, chat with friends, make video calls, and more, all without downloading the mobile app. The web version has most of the same core features, but lacks some newer capabilities like augmented reality lenses.
Setting Up a Snapchat Account Online
Here is a more detailed walkthrough of how to sign up for Snapchat on the web:
- Go to https://snapchat.com in any desktop or mobile web browser. This will bring you to the Snapchat login page.
- Click on the “Sign Up” link below the login fields. This will start the account creation process.
- Enter your email address and create a password. Make sure to choose a strong, secure password you don’t already use elsewhere.
- Enter your birthday. You must be at least 13 years old to use Snapchat. This helps Snapchat comply with COPPA regulations.
- Select your gender. This is optional but helps Snapchat customize your experience.
- Agree to Snapchat’s terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can review these documents if desired.
- Click the button to send a verification email. Open your email inbox and click the link in the message from Snapchat.
- On the next page, create a unique username. This will be your public handle on Snapchat. Add numbers or hyphens if your first choice is taken.
- OPTIONAL: Connect your phone number. This makes it easier to find friends. You can skip this step.
- Start finding friends! Search for people by username or phone number, or tap “Add Nearby” to connect to nearby Snapchatters.
Once your account is set up, you can start snapping right from the Snapchat website. The web experience is very similar to the mobile app, though some newer augmented reality features may not be available.
Capabilities of Snapchat Online
Snapchat’s web version includes the following core features:
- Taking and sharing photo and video snaps
- Applying filters and lenses to snaps
- Drawing and adding text to snaps
- Video and voice calling friends
- Chatting via text, video, or audio messages
- Creating and sharing stories
- Watching stories and content from friends and discover channels
- Adding and managing friends
Some capabilities that are not available in the web version at this time include:
- Augmented reality lenses and filters
- Bitmoji avatars
- Snap Map location sharing
- Snap Games
- Snap Kit integrations
- Checkout features
The web experience will be very familiar for mobile users and allows you to use Snapchat conveniently from any browser. However, you’ll have access to more features if you eventually download the mobile app.
Why Use Snapchat Online?
Here are some of the advantages of using Snapchat through the web instead of downloading the mobile app:
- Convenience: Use Snapchat anywhere with a browser, without installing anything.
- Accessibility: The web version works on any device with a browser, such as Windows PCs.
- Speed: May load faster than mobile for some users based on device and network.
- Battery Life: Won’t drain your phone battery like mobile apps.
- Storage: Doesn’t take up any storage space on your phone.
Some people may prefer the web version to stay in touch with friends if they don’t have a smartphone, don’t want to install new apps, or want to conserve phone resources. It provides core Snapchat functionality in a simple, convenient web interface.
Drawbacks of Web vs Mobile App
However, there are some downsides to the web interface compared with Snapchat’s full-featured mobile app:
- Missing latest features like AR lenses, Snap Map, etc.
- Lacks push notifications, so you must have site open to see new snaps.
- Can’t use camera directly – must upload photos from computer.
- Performance may depend on browser and Internet connection speed.
- Certain manage account settings only available on mobile.
- May encounter bugs or glitches not present in native app.
The web version offers the core Snapchat experience, but mobile users will ultimately have access to more features, better notifications, and smoother performance. If you’re mainly on desktop, the web can fill your Snapchat needs. But the app is required to unlock everything Snapchat offers.
Creating a Snapchat Account Without a Phone Number
When you create a Snapchat account on the web, you have the option to skip phone number verification. Here’s how:
- During signup, leave the phone number field blank.
- Leave the “Add Nearby” section unchecked.
- Continue with email verification and account setup.
- Search for friends only by username, not phone number.
Without a phone number, you won’t be able to find friends from your contacts or see any “quick add” suggestions. But you can manually look up specific people by username, or have friends add you manually by your username.
Some reasons you may want to make a Snapchat account without a phone number include:
- Privacy – Don’t want to provide your number
- Don’t have a mobile phone
- Want a secondary/private account
- Testing the app before providing your number
Overall, signing up on the web and skipping phone linkage is the easiest way to make a Snapchat account without the mobile app or your phone number. Just know it may be less convenient to find friends without linking contacts.
Making a Snapchat Account Under 18 Without Phone Number
Snapchat requires users to be at least 13 years old per COPPA regulations. Here’s how under 18 users can create an account without a phone number:
- Go to snapchat.com and input your accurate birthdate showing you’re between 13 and 17.
- Have a parent/guardian create an email address for you to use for signup.
- Skip the “Add Your Phone Number” section.
- Verify account through email and create username.
- Only add friends through username, not phone contacts.
- Make sure parent enables privacy settings and reporting tools.
The key requirements are being honest about your age, using a parent-approved email, and skipping phone verification. This allows teens under 18 to safely use Snapchat while maintaining privacy.
Parents may also want to set usage limits, monitor activity through the web version only, or restrict contacts. Using Snapchat on the web without a phone number allows underage access with appropriate parental supervision.
Tips for Using Snapchat Online
Here are some tips for getting the most out of Snapchat through the web version:
- Enable notifications so you don’t miss messages.
- Allow camera/microphone access to enable snapping features.
- Use keyboard shortcuts like “Shift+C” to start chatting.
- Right-click snaps to save them to your computer.
- Adjust browser zoom if items appear too small.
- Open in a tab with privacy extensions like incognito mode.
- Sign out when finished to protect your account.
With a few adjustments like notifications and shortcuts, the browser version can replicate most of the mobile experience. Play around with the interface to discover all the available options.
Conclusion
Creating a Snapchat account without downloading the app is straightforward using the official Snapchat website. It only takes a few minutes to sign up for an account, find friends, and start snapping.
While the web version lacks some newer mobile features, it provides convenient access to Snapchat’s core tools for chatting, calling, and sharing media. It’s perfect for Snapchat access from desktops or other devices that can’t install the app.
Underage users can also create accounts safely as long as parents supervise and manage settings appropriately. Overall, Snapchat’s web version makes enjoying Snapchat quick and easy from any device with a browser.
| Pros of Web Version | Cons of Web Version |
|---|---|
| Convenient access from any browser | Missing newer AR/geofilter features |
| Works on Windows, Mac, etc. | No push notifications |
| Usually fast performance | Must upload snaps vs. direct camera |
| Won’t drain phone battery | Potential browser bugs |
| Doesn’t take up phone storage | Some account settings only on mobile |