Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media apps, especially among younger users. A key feature of Snapchat is that pictures and videos shared on the platform disappear after being viewed. This creates an air of privacy and ephemerality. However, there is one way to capture Snapchat content before it vanishes: by taking a screenshot.
Does Snapchat notify the sender if you screenshot their snap?
Yes, Snapchat does notify the sender if you take a screenshot of their snap. The sender will see an alert that you took a screenshot of that particular snap. This allows Snapchat users to maintain some control over their shared content and know if someone is saving or recording it without permission.
How does the screenshot notification feature work?
When you take a screenshot on Snapchat, either intentionally or accidentally, the app captures that action. Snapchat’s servers are notified that a screenshot has been taken. The image or video metadata contains the snap’s sender and recipient information. So the Snapchat backend infrastructure can cross reference the screenshot event with the snap metadata to identify the sender and recipient.
Once the screenshot taker and snap sender are identified, Snapchat immediately sends a notification to the sender that their snap has been screenshotted. The alert typically says “[Recipient’s name] took a screenshot of your snap.” This screenshot notification is enabled by default and does not require any action from the snap sender.
What does the screenshot notification look like?
The screenshot notification appears in the sender’s inbox, along with any other snap replies or messages. It will say “[name of screenshot taker] took a screenshot of your snap.” The sender can tap on the notification to see which specific snap was captured.
In addition to the inbox alert, Snapchat sends a push notification to the sender’s device saying a screenshot was taken. Even if the Snapchat app is closed, the push notification will display on the device to inform the sender of the screenshot.
Is there any way to screenshot without the other person knowing?
There are a few tricky ways to screenshot a Snapchat without triggering the notification.
Using Another Device
One method is to use a second device to take a picture of the Snapchat. For example, you can view the Snapchat on your phone and then use a digital camera, another phone, or tablet to take a photo of the screen displaying the snap. As long as you avoid using the native screenshot function on the device showing the Snapchat, the sender won’t be notified.
Airplane Mode
You may be able to screenshot without detection by enabling Airplane Mode on your device before taking the screenshot. Airplane Mode disconnects you from the Internet and wireless networks. So Snapchat can’t send the notification while you’re disconnected. You could then disable Airplane Mode to reconnect and view the screenshot in your camera roll privately.
Closing the App
There are mixed reports on whether this works, but some claim that force closing the Snapchat app before taking the screenshot prevents the notification. You would swipe up from the bottom of the screen to fully close Snapchat, then double click the Home button and swipe up on Snapchat again to ensure it’s closed. After that, the operating system screenshot function should be able to capture the image without alerting the sender.
Third-Party Apps
Some third-party apps claim the ability to screenshot Snapchat without detection. They work by accessing the phone’s operating system screenshot function, bypassing Snapchat’s internal screenshot process. Examples include Stealth Cam and NoScreenshot for iOS, and CAS for Android. The reliability can vary across devices and Snapchat updates.
Does screenshot notification work on Stories?
Screenshot notifications only apply to one-on-one snaps sent between friends on Snapchat. When someone posts public content to their Snapchat Story, it can be screenshotted by anyone without the sender getting notified.
Stories are intended to be public content visible to all of your connections, so Snapchat does not monitor or notify screenshot activity on them. Even in the case of private Stories limited to selected friends, Snapchat doesn’t send screenshot alerts. So there is no way for someone to know if you take a screenshot of a Snapchat Story.
Can you tell how many times a snap has been screenshot?
No, Snapchat does not provide detail on how many users have screenshot a particular snap. The notification simply alerts the sender to the fact that at least one screenshot was taken. There is no tracking of multiple screenshot instances or specific users who capture the screenshots.
For example, if 3 people take screenshots of the same snap, the sender will only get a single generic notification saying the snap was screenshot. They won’t receive multiple notifications or see that 3 screenshots were taken. The only exception would be screenshots taken on an iPhone X or later, where the sender can see a thumbnail preview of up to 3 screenshots.
Can you see who took the screenshot?
In most cases, the Snapchat screenshot notification will only show the name of the person who took the screenshot. However, if the screenshot is captured on an iPhone X or later model, Snapchat will include a preview thumbnail of the screenshot in the notification.
The preview image allows the snap sender to see a mini version of the actual screenshot taken, in addition to the name. So they have a visual confirmation of which snap was captured and can identify screenshot takers who may have multiple snaps open. The thumbnail previews are only available on Apple devices with an iPhone X form factor and screen.
Does Snapchat notify if you screenshot a chat?
Taking a screenshot of a Snapchat chat will trigger a notification just like an image or video snap. If you capture a screenshot of a Snapchat conversation thread, whether it’s an individual or group chat, the other participants in the chat will be alerted.
The notification appears the same way, naming the person who took the chat screenshot. The sender can tap for more details on which chat screen was captured. Snapchat treats chat screenshots the same as snaps to ensure conversations remain private and ephemeral.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s screenshot notification feature provides transparency around sharing and saving snaps. It aims to recreate an in-person experience where you know if someone takes a photo of you. The system works by detecting screenshot capture on the device and cross-referencing the snap metadata to identify the sender and recipient.
While tricky workarounds exist, avoiding the official screenshot feature is the only surefire way to capture a snap without the other person knowing. Even then, tactics like using third-party apps often become unreliable as Snapchat updates its platform. In the end, screenshot notifications give Snapchat users control over their shared images and videos.
| Notification Sent? | Type of Content |
|---|---|
| Yes | One-on-one photo/video snaps |
| Yes | Chat screenshot |
| No | Snapchat Story |
| No | Group Story |
| No | Private Story |
In summary:
- Snapchat notifies senders when recipients screenshot one-on-one snaps
- Stories and group content can be screenshotted without notifications
- iPhone X and later shows thumbnail previews of screenshots in notifications
- Airplane mode, closing the app, and third-party apps may allow undetected screenshots
- There is no limit or detail on how many users screenshot a snap
So if you want to capture a one-on-one Snapchat snap without the sender knowing, your options are limited. Workarounds like using Airplane Mode or capturing the screen on another device may work, but aren’t foolproof. Otherwise, it’s best to ask the sender before taking a screenshot to avoid the surprise notification.