Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. A core part of Snapchat’s appeal is that photos, videos, and messages sent between users are meant to disappear after being viewed. This allows Snapchat users to share more private, silly, or temporary moments.
However, sometimes you may want to save a Snapchat story or message without the sender knowing. There are a few different methods you can use to secretly save Snapchat stories.
Why Would You Want to Save a Snapchat Story Secretly?
There are a few reasons why someone might want to save a Snapchat story without the sender knowing:
- To look at it again later – Snapchat stories are meant to disappear after 24 hours. If it’s a funny video or cute photo you want to see again, saving it prevents it from being automatically deleted.
- To show friends – You may want to share a funny Snapchat story with friends who aren’t connected to the person on Snapchat. Saving it allows you to then send it to other people.
- Documentation – Sometimes people share important information over Snapchat assuming it won’t be saved. You may want to keep a record of conversations, events, etc. that are shared via Snapchat story.
- Memories – Snapchat stories often capture fun memories with friends that you want to hang onto even though they are meant to be ephemeral.
Of course, saving Snapchat stories without consent raises privacy issues. Make sure you are saving stories for legitimate reasons and not simply to spy on friends.
Method 1: Using a Screen Recording
One of the simplest ways to save someone’s Snapchat story without them knowing is to use your phone’s screen recording function.
Here is how to screen record on some common phones:
iPhone Screen Recording
- Open the Snapchat app and start viewing the story you want to record.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center.
- Long press on the Screen Recording icon. It looks like a circle inside of a larger circle.
- Tap “Start Recording.” You will see a 3 second countdown before it starts.
- View the Snapchat story you want to save. The phone will record your screen as you view it.
- When finished, open Control Center again and tap the Screen Recording icon to stop it.
- The recording will be saved to your Photos app where you can view and share it.
Android Screen Recording
The steps may vary slightly depending on your Android device and OS version but generally:
- Open the Snapchat app and start viewing the story.
- Pull down the notification shade from the top of the screen.
- Tap the Screen Record icon. It looks like a circle with a dot inside.
- View the Snapchat story you want to save. Your screen will be recorded.
- To stop, pull down the notification shade again and tap the Screen Record icon.
- Open your phone’s Gallery app to view and share the recording.
The benefit of using screen recording is it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require any extra apps. Just make sure to record with the sound on to capture audio as well.
One downside is that screen recordings can result in lower video quality since it’s recording your device’s display output rather than saving the original file.
Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps
Another option is to use a third-party app that allows saving Snapchat stories. There are a number of apps designed specifically for this purpose. Some examples include:
- SnapSave – An app made specifically for saving Snapchat stories, messages, etc. without detection. Available for both iPhone and Android.
- Snapbox – Saves Snapchat stories as well as allows uploading your camera roll photos to Snapchat. iPhone only.
- SaveMySnaps – Android app for secretly saving Snapchats. Also lets you block ads and customize filters.
The steps to use one of these apps are generally:
- Download and install the app on your phone.
- Open the Snapchat story you want to save.
- Open the saver app and it will detect Snapchat is opened.
- It will automatically save any incoming Snaps, stories, etc. to your camera roll.
The advantages of using a dedicated app are:
- Designed specifically for saving Snapchats stealthily.
- Often incorporates features like ad blocking, screenshot detection blocking, etc.
- May result in higher quality saved videos than screen recording.
The downsides are:
- Third-party apps sometimes have reliability issues or get blocked by Snapchat updates.
- You have to download another app rather than use a built-in feature.
- Some apps may request access to data beyond just saving Snapchat videos.
So apps can provide an easy way to save Snapchat stories if you select a reputable option. Make sure to check reviews and research the app creator before downloading.
Method 3: Using Airplane Mode
This trick involves using your phone’s Airplane Mode to covertly save Snapchat stories:
- Open the Snapchat story you want to save.
- Take a screenshot of the Snapchat story. This will notify the sender.
- Quickly open your phone’s Settings app and turn on Airplane Mode. This will cut off your internet connection.
- With Airplane Mode on, open your Photos app and save/export the screenshot to another app or location like your camera roll or email.
- Finally, disable Airplane Mode to restore your internet connection.
Because you cut off internet while saving the screenshot, Snapchat won’t know the screenshot was taken. The downside is you have to be quick when enabling Airplane Mode to block the notification.
This takes more effort than the other methods but can work in a pinch if you don’t have access to screen recording or third-party apps.
Other Methods
Using a Second Phone
You can also save Snapchat stories by using a friend’s phone or second phone:
- Use your phone to view the Snapchat story as normal.
- Have your friend use their phone to record or screenshot your phone’s display as you view the Snapchat story.
- Transfer the saved file from their phone back to yours over text, email, cloud storage, etc.
Just make sure your friend doesn’t accidentally save or share the media themselves!
Taking a Photo of Your Screen
In a pinch, you can simply take a photo of your phone’s screen while the Snapchat story is displayed using another camera. The quality likely won’t be great but it can work briefly display a funny photo or read some text.
Things to Keep in Mind When Saving Snapchats
If you use any method to save Snapchat stories without the sender knowing, keep a few important things in mind:
- Only save stories from people you know and trust. Don’t violate someone’s privacy.
- Be aware the sender intended the story to disappear. Think about why you need to save it.
- Saving others’ content without consent may be against Snapchat’s terms or service or even illegal in some cases.
- If you save embarrassing or inappropriate stories, keep them private. The sender didn’t consent to them being shared.
In summary, proceed cautiously and ethically if saving Snapchat stories without consent and be respectful of the sender’s intentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to save a Snapchat story without the sender being notified?
Yes, there are several methods that allow saving Snapchat stories without triggering a notification to the sender:
- Using your phone’s built-in screen recording function.
- Using a third-party app designed for saving Snapchats stealthily.
- Using Airplane Mode on your phone when taking a screenshot.
However, it’s important to only use these with consent from the sender.
Do screen recording apps work for saving Snapchat stories?
Yes, apps that allow recording your screen as you view a Snapchat story can be an effective way to save the content without detection. Some examples include AZ Screen Recorder for Android or Shou for iOS.
Just be mindful that screen recordings may be lower quality than directly saving Snapchat videos. Look for apps that offer high-resolution recordings.
Can you save Snapchat stories after 24 hours?
Unfortunately no, there is no official way to retrieve expired Snapchat stories after the 24-hour deletion period. The only way to save a Snapchat story is to use one of the unofficial methods like screen recording while you can still view the story. Once it expires, the content is deleted from Snapchat’s servers.
Is it illegal to save someone’s Snapchat story without them knowing?
It’s not necessarily illegal but it is an ethical gray area and against Snapchat’s terms of service. You are subverting someone’s reasonable expectation of privacy when they share content via a platform designed for ephemeral messaging.
It’s best to only save Snaps and stories with the sender’s consent. In some cases, unauthorized saving and sharing of others’ private content could potentially lead to harassment or privacy lawsuits. Proceed with caution.
Can you tell if someone saved your Snapchat story?
Unfortunately Snapchat doesn’t provide any way for you to know if someone has secretly recorded or screenshotted your story. The app only notifies you if someone directly screenshots a Snap you send them personally rather than a Story.
So there is currently no foolproof way to detect if your public Story has been saved by someone else without your knowledge. Snapchat may eventually incorporate screenshot detection for Stories to address this issue.
Conclusion
While Snapchat is designed so that photos, videos, and messages disappear after being viewed, there are ways to covertly save Snapchat stories if you desire. This allows you to view Stories multiple times or share them outside of Snapchat.
However, saving Snapchat content without the sender’s consent raises privacy concerns. Make sure to only use the techniques responsibly and ethically. Screen recording, third-party apps, and Airplane Mode tricks can allow stealthy saving but should be done sparingly and only with caution.