Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. One of the app’s key features is its messaging system, which lets you chat with friends and create group conversations. This has led some Snapchat users to wonder – is there a secret or hidden chat feature in Snapchat that not everyone knows about?
What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app created in 2011 by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown when they were students at Stanford University. Here are some key facts about Snapchat:
- Snapchat lets users send photo, video, text and drawing messages called “snaps.”
- Snaps disappear after being viewed by the recipient(s). Users can set a timer for how long each snap is viewable, from 1 to 10 seconds.
- Snapchat also features “stories,” which are compilations of snaps displayed in chronological order that remain viewable by friends for 24 hours.
- Other Snapchat features include video and text messaging via “chat,” Snap Map location sharing, filters and lenses for photos/videos, and Snap Games.
- As of 2022, Snapchat has over 363 million daily active users worldwide.
Overall, Snapchat is designed for sharing quick, informal messages and images that mimic face-to-face conversation due to their ephemeral nature. The app is extremely popular among younger demographics like millennials and Gen Z.
Snapchat’s Messaging System
Here are some key details on how messaging works on Snapchat:
- Users can start a chat by tapping a friend’s name in their friend list or swiping up on a friend’s story to access their profile and tap the chat icon.
- In a 1-on-1 chat, users can send text, photos, videos and call each other. Chats are visible only to the users involved.
- Snapchat also lets you create group chats with up to 32 participants. You can name the group chat, send messages, share images/videos, video chat, and see who has viewed each message.
- To start a group chat, go to the chat screen and tap the New Chat icon, then select multiple friends to add.
- Snapchat messages disappear after being viewed, but users can replay a message once per day unless the sender has disabled this feature.
This ephemeral messaging system is a core part of what makes Snapchat unique compared to other social apps. But is there more to Snapchat’s messaging capabilities than meets the eye?
Is There a Secret or Hidden Chat Feature?
There is no definitive “secret” or “hidden” chat feature built into Snapchat. However, there are a few lesser-known aspects of Snapchat messaging to be aware of:
- Chat folders – You can create custom folders to organize your chats by tapping and holding on a chat, then dragging it into a folder.
- Delete chats – Chats can be deleted by tapping and holding on a chat in your list and selecting “Delete.” This removes the entire chat history.
- Clear chat – Individual messages in a chat can be deleted by tapping and holding on them, then selecting “Delete.” You can also tap the 3 dots in a chat and choose “Clear Chat” to erase your entire history with that friend.
- Chat colors – You and your friends can change the color of your chat bubbles. Tap the chat name, then “Chat Colors.”
- Notification settings – Adjust notifications for specific chats via the chat’s settings to mute or customize notifications.
While subtle, using these features allows for more customization and control over your Snapchat inbox. But there are no hidden, invite-only chats or secret second “ghost mode” style inboxes on Snapchat as some users speculate.
Can You Have Private Chats on Snapchat?
Snapchat does not have a specific private chat feature. However, there are a few ways to have private conversations on Snapchat:
- Use 1-on-1 chats – These are private between just you and the other user.
- Create a group chat with just 2 people – This mimics a 1-on-1 chat but gives you the group features like chat names.
- Set chats to delete automatically – Enabling deletion settings makes messages erase as soon as both parties view them.
- Use Snapchat’s on-demand Disappearing Messages feature – This lets you make any chat disappear after opening it.
- Turn off Chat History and Save to Memories – With these settings off, shared content is not saved.
- Avoid screenshots – Ask the other user not to take screenshots to keep chats extra private.
While not completely impenetrable, these tips do allow for increased privacy on Snapchat. You can have private conversations without worrying about chat history.
Does Snapchat Have Secret Emojis?
Snapchat does have some hidden emojis and symbols that users can access in chat. Here are some of the secret Snapchat emojis and how to use them:
- The hourglass emoji appears when you and a friend have been #1 best friends with each other for two weeks straight.
- The smiley face emoji appears next to contacts you have not chatted with in over a month when you are sorting your chats alphabetically.
- A birthday cake symbol means it is that friend’s birthday.
- A baby emoji appears if you and a friend have had a snapstreak for 100 days straight.
- The zodiac symbols reveal a friend’s astrological sign.
- You can add the secret emoji code :secrets: to display the ghost icon.
- Typing :stroopwafel: will generate the stroopwafel symbol exclusive to Snapchat.
So yes, Snapchat does contain some hidden emojis you won’t find as options when typing a message. But access to these special emojis isn’t indicative of any secret chats on Snapchat.
Does Snapchat Have Secret Features?
While not specifically related to messaging, Snapchat does have some lesser-known and hidden features users may not be aware of:
- Color editing – You can edit photo and video colors after taking a snap but before sending it.
- Snap map sharing – Share your location temporarily with a friend by clicking their avatar on Snap Map.
- @ mentions – Mention friends by name in your Snapchat story posts.
- Snapcodes – Every user has a unique Snapcode that friends can scan to add them easily.
- Snap Originals – Snapchat releases exclusive video content via its Discover platform.
- Shazam Integration – Use Shazam to identify music playing around you and share to your Snapchat story.
- 3D Bitmojis – Bring your customized 3D Bitmoji into the real world using the rear-facing camera.
There are definitely some lesser-known Snapchat capabilities that unlock special features. But again, none point to the existence of secret conversations or a hidden second Snapchat inbox.
Conclusion
Based on an analysis of Snapchat’s messaging features and known capabilities, there does not appear to be any evidence that points to the existence of a “secret,” invitation-only chat or hidden inbox on Snapchat. Some key takeaways:
- Snapchat has 1-on-1 chats, group chats and story messaging – no other messaging types.
- Users cannot send private messages that disappear before being opened.
- There are no select emojis indicative of access to special chats.
- Snapchat’s additional capabilities do not include any hidden chat features.
While Snapchat does have some lesser-known features, like chat folders, customizable emojis and secret Snapcodes, none of these equate to a secret second inbox or hidden chat ability. In general, Snapchat seems designed to provide transparency, not secrecy, about messaging – chats are either visible in your inbox or they aren’t. While some “off-the-record” conversations can occur through careful use of messaging deletion and privacy settings, there is no definitive proof of an actual hidden chat feature in Snapchat.