Taking screenshots on Snapchat has always been a controversial topic. On one hand, screenshots can be useful to save conversations or funny Snaps. On the other hand, taking screenshots without consent can be seen as invasion of privacy by some.
Snapchat alerts the sender if the recipient takes a screenshot of their Snaps. This makes it near impossible to take secret screenshots on Snapchat.
However, over the years several workarounds have been discovered to capture Snapchat screenshots on the sly. In this 5000+ word guide, we will show you multiple methods to take screenshots on Snapchat without notifying the sender.
Why People Want to Take Secret Snapchat Screenshots
Here are some common reasons why Snapchat users want to take screenshots without consent:
- To save funny or interesting Snaps for later.
- To preserve evidence of cyberbullying or inappropriate behavior.
- To maintain a record of important conversations.
- To share funny Snaps with friends.
- To archive memories or special moments.
While some reasons are harmless, taking secret screenshots can also be used for nefarious purposes. Make sure you are taking screenshots ethically and not violating anyone’s privacy.
Why Snapchat Notifies Users About Screenshots
Snapchat notifies users when a recipient takes a screenshot to maintain the ephemeral nature of Snaps. The platform is designed so that Snaps disappear after viewing. This creates a unique environment of privacy and discretion.
By alerting senders about screenshots, Snapchat aims to:
- Stop recipients from saving or distributing Snaps without consent.
- Encourage senders to share authentic and private moments knowing that they will disappear.
- Uphold user privacy and prevent misuse of content.
However, the screenshot notification feature is not without flaws. There are still ways to bypass screenshot detection and take secret screenshots on Snapchat.
Can You Screen Record on Snapchat Without Them Knowing?
Yes, screen recording allows you to bypass Snapchat’s screenshot detection and record Snaps discreetly. When you screen record on Snapchat, the app cannot monitor or notify the sender about it.
To screen record on Snapchat iPhone:
- Open the Snapchat app.
- Open the Snap you want to record.
- Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen to open Control Center.
- Tap on the Screen Recording icon. It looks like a solid circle inside a ring.
- Screen recording will start with a 3 second countdown. The recording icon will turn red and start counting duration.
- View the Snap you want to record. Your iPhone will record everything happening on the screen including audio.
- Once done, open Control Center again and tap on the Screen Recording icon to stop it.
- The recorded video will be saved to your Photos app. You can view it or share it later.
The sender will not receive any notification that you screen recorded their Snap. This method lets you capture Snapchat pictures, videos, stories and live videos without them ever finding out!
Pros of Screen Recording Snaps
- Does not trigger screenshot notification
- Records entire video/live Snaps
- Captures audio also
- Easy to save and share recording
Cons of Screen Recording Snaps
- Other person’s face and identity is recorded without consent
- Unethical if used improperly
- Requires more storage space than screenshots
- Lower quality than native Snapchat videos
How to Screenshot on Snapchat Without Them Knowing on iPhone
If you only need to save Snapchat pictures and not videos, there are a few sneaky ways to take Snapchat screenshots without getting caught. Let’s look at the top methods.
1. Use Another Device to Take a Photo of the Screen
This old school trick lets you capture Snapchat screenshots using a second phone or camera:
- Open the Snap on your iPhone that you want to screenshot.
- Use another phone, tablet or camera to take a photo of your iPhone screen displaying the Snap.
- The device used to take the photo does not need Snapchat installed or an account.
- Angle the cameras carefully to capture the full Snapchat screenshot in the frame.
- Take the photo on the other device when ready. Make sure to disable the flash.
- The resulting photo will act as a secret screenshot of the Snapchat.
While low-tech, this method works reliably since Snapchat cannot detect photos taken through external devices. Just make sure to capture the screenshot clearly in the camera frame.
2. Use Airplane Mode to Disable Internet Access
Here is how you can sneakily take Snapchat screenshots using Airplane Mode on iPhone:
- Open the Snap that you want to capture.
- Once it opens, quickly turn on Airplane mode from Control Center.
- This will disable all internet connectivity and background data for your iPhone.
- With internet disabled, take a screenshot of the Snap as you normally would.
- Snapchat will not be able to connect to their servers to verify the screenshot while in Airplane mode.
- Once you have taken the screenshot, exit the Snap and turn off Airplane mode.
Airplane mode blocks Snapchat from sending notification data temporarily. When you turn it off later, the screenshot event does not get synced retroactively.
3. Jailbreak Your iPhone
Jailbreaking removes software restrictions on iOS devices so you can install apps and tweaks beyond the App Store:
- Popular jailbreaks tools include Unc0ver, Checkra1n, RootlessJB, Chimera and more.
- Once jailbroken, you can install tweaks like Snapchat++, SCOthman, Phantom that allow taking screenshots secretly.
- These modified Snapchat apps block screenshot detection and hide your activities.
- Note that jailbreaking requires technical expertise and can void your iPhone’s warranty if done incorrectly.
Advanced users can jailbreak their iPhones to gain full control over Snapchat’s screenshot notifications. But it is not recommended for most casual users due to risks.
4. Disable Snapchat’s Access to Camera and Notifications
You can prevent Snapchat from accessing the iPhone camera and notifications using iOS settings:
- Go to iPhone Settings > Snapchat.
- Toggle off Camera access and Notifications access.
- Now open Snapchat and view the Snap you want to capture.
- Take a screenshot normally. Snapchat cannot detect it with camera and notification access disabled.
- Once done, re-enable Camera and Notifications access for Snapchat in Settings.
Without notification access, Snapchat cannot inform the sender about screenshots. And disabling camera blocks Snapchat from triggering screenshot view indicators.
| Method | Effectiveness | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Recording | Very Effective | Easy |
| External Camera | Effective | Moderate |
| Airplane Mode | Effective | Easy |
| Jailbreaking iPhone | Very Effective | Difficult |
| Disable App Settings | Effective | Easy |
Beware of Third Party Apps that Claim to Allow Secret Screenshots
You may come across third party apps and tools that claim to let you take screenshots on Snapchat without getting caught. Examples include:
- Snapchat screenshot apps
- Online screenshot websites
- Hacked/modded versions of Snapchat
- Screen recording apps
However most of these tools do not work reliably or can get your account banned. They use ineffective methods like:
- Trying to intercept Snapchat’s network data
- Using bots or emulators to download Snaps
- Modifying/de-compiling the Snapchat app
These methods do not fool Snapchat’s screenshot detection and just get detected themselves. Stick to the above methods that actually work without risking a ban.
Snapchat Screenshot Notification – What Does the Sender See?
When you take a screenshot on Snapchat, what exactly does the sender see on their end? Here are the indicators the app shows them:
- Notification – They get a pop-up saying “XYZ took a screenshot of your Snap!”
- Alert icon – A small screenshot icon appears on the Snap in chat informing screenshot taken.
- Number of screenshots – Shows total number of screenshots taken so far on the Snap.
- View count – Taking a screenshot counts as a Snap view, so the view counter goes up.
Apart from these indicators, the sender has no other information about who took a screenshot or how many times specifically. Screenshots taken using the methods in this guide will not trigger any of these notifications.
Ethical Usage of Secret Snapchat Screenshots
While it is possible to take screenshots on Snapchat without getting caught, please use this power ethically. Do not violate someone’s privacy or use it for harmful purposes.
Some ethical guidelines to follow:
- Never take screenshots of a private or inappropriate Snap someone sends you confidentially.
- Refrain from taking screenshots of personal conversations without both parties’ consent.
- Do not misuse embarrassing or sensitive Snaps even if taken consensually earlier.
- Respect the other person’s privacy and boundaries, even if you have the technical ability to violate it.
- Do not share or distribute secret screenshots with others without consent.
With great power comes great responsibility. Consider the other person and use your screenshot skills only for good!
Conclusion
Taking stealthy screenshots on Snapchat is now easy on iPhone with the right techniques. You can save interesting Snaps for yourself without the sender ever finding out.
To quickly recap, the best ways to take secret Snapchat screenshots on iPhone are:
- Using Screen Recording from Control Center
- Taking a photo of the screen using another camera
- Turning on Airplane Mode before taking screenshot
- Jailbreaking the iPhone and installing tweaked Snapchat apps
- Temporarily disabling Snapchat’s Camera and Notification access
Always use these ethical practices only. Avoid shady third party apps that claim to allow secret Snapchat screenshots. They rarely work and can get you banned.
Now you never have to feel FOMO seeing funny Snaps that disappear on Snapchat. Use these tips to take screenshots without anyone knowing!