Snapchat is one of the most popular social media apps, allowing users to send photos, videos, and text messages that disappear after being viewed. The standard text limit on Snapchat is 1024 characters. However, there are a few tricks you can use to get around this limit and write longer messages.
Use the Notes Feature
The simplest way to write more on Snapchat is to use the Notes feature. To create a Note, open the app and tap on the paper airplane icon in the top right corner. This will open your Friends page. At the top, tap on the button that says “New Note.”
In the Notes section, you can type up to 4000 characters. That’s almost 4 times the standard message limit! You can use Notes for lengthy stories, opinions, jokes, rants – anything you want to say that requires more space. When you’re done typing, title your Note and tap “Done.”
To share your Note, tap on the arrow symbol at the bottom. This will let you select friends to send it to. Anyone you share the Note with can view it an unlimited number of times until you delete it. So it’s perfect for lengthy messages you want people to be able to reference.
Send a Series of Connected Snaps
Another trick is to break up your message into a series of connected Snaps. You can string multiple Snaps together to create a cohesive story or piece of writing. Simply hit the arrow button to continue your message on additional Snaps until you have said everything you need to say.
This method allows you to far exceed the character limit. However, there are some downsides. Recipients have to view each Snap one at a time in order to read your full message. They only have 1-10 seconds to read each Snap before it disappears. So this may not be the best option if you have a super lengthy text you want them to be able to review.
Use Snapchat on a Computer
Believe it or not, Snapchat does have a web version that allows you to send Snaps from your computer. To use it, go to https://web.snapchat.com/ and log in with your Snapchat account details. This will bring up your Snapchat inbox on desktop.
From here, click the pencil icon to compose a new Snap. In the web version, you aren’t limited by character counts at all. You can simply type out whatever message you want and click “Send.” It will show up for recipients as an incoming Snap with no character limitation.
The only catch is that anything you type on web has to be sent as a Snap rather than a Chat. So recipients still have to click through your message Snap by Snap. But there is no limit on how many Snaps you can string together, making the web version ideal for extremely longform writing.
Type Your Text in a Notes App
If you don’t want to be confined to the Snapchat app, you can draft longform text in a notes app of your choice – like the iOS Notes app. Simply write out whatever you want to say with no limitations. When you’re done, copy and paste the text into individual Snaps to send.
This method allows you to compose in a traditional writing app and then split up your message retrospectively. You can paste paragraphs or even just a few sentences at a time into each Snap. It takes a bit more work than simply typing directly into Snapchat. But it removes the constraints on how much you can write at once.
Use Snapchat on iOS with a Bluetooth Keyboard
iOS users have one more option for composing longform Snapchat messages. You can pair an external Bluetooth keyboard to your iPhone or iPad and use it to type out Snaps.
To do this, simply connect your Bluetooth keyboard to your iOS device like you normally would. Launch the Snapchat app. When you go to type a message, it will automatically default to using your Bluetooth keyboard with no character limit restrictions.
The only catch is you will still have to tap the paper airplane icon to send each message, since keyboards don’t have an Enter key in the Snapchat app. But you can write out messages of any length without having to copy/paste.
Use Emojis and Images
If you want to make your Snaps take up more space without actually writing more words, try adding emojis and images.
Each emoji counts as a character in Snapchat. So peppering your Snaps with emoticons can enable you to use up more of the 1024 character limit. Just be careful not to overdo it, or your message could become confusing.
You can also insert images and videos into your Snaps. In addition to emojis, photos and videos also count against the character limit. So including relevant visual media is an easy way to make a Snap feel longer and more substantial.
Leverage Snapchat Lenses
Snapchat Lenses offer another creative way to add visual interest to your Snaps. Lenses alter your appearance in the Snapchat camera using augmented reality. You can add various filters, effects, and even interactive elements.
Using Lenses doesn’t let you type more words. But they make your Snaps feel more engaging. You can record short video messages using a Lens to respond to friends in a novel way. The possibilities are endless!
Conclusion
While Snapchat limits individual messages to 1024 characters, you have options when you want to write longer content. Notes let you write up to 4000 characters of unbroken text. You can also string multiple Snaps together in a series, type your words in another app to copy/paste, or use a Bluetooth keyboard on iOS.
Adding visual elements like emojis, images, and Lenses can also make your Snaps feel longer and more substantive. Get creative with combining these different tactics to share any lengthy message on Snapchat, no matter how much you want to say!
| Method | Maximum Characters | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 4000 | – Write longform text in one place – Easy to use – Recipients can open Notes multiple times |
– Notes don’t disappear like standard Snaps |
| Connected Snaps | Unlimited | – No limit on total message length | – Recipients have to tap through each Snap quickly – Message isn’t cohesive |
| Web Snapchat | Unlimited | – No character limit – Works on any computer |
– Messages still must be viewed Snap by Snap |
| Notes App | Unlimited | – Write with no limits – Use any notes app |
– Must copy/paste text manually into Snaps |
| Bluetooth Keyboard | Unlimited | – Write naturally with no limits | – iOS only – Must still tap to send each message |