Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. A key feature of Snapchat is that the photos and videos shared disappear after a set amount of time. This gives an ephemeral, in-the-moment feel to Snapchat content. However, many users still want to save Snapchat photos more permanently. There are a few different ways to save Snapchat pictures, each with their own pros and cons.
Saving Individual Snapchat Photos
The easiest way to save a specific Snapchat photo is to take a screenshot. On iOS, you can take a screenshot by pressing the power and home buttons at the same time. On Android, press the power and volume down buttons. This will save the photo to your camera roll. Taking a screenshot is quick and simple. However, the other person will get a notification that you took a screenshot. So it is not very discreet. You can turn off these notifications in your Snapchat settings. But people you frequently Snapchat with may still notice if you are suddenly saving lots of pictures that used to disappear.
Another option is to use a third party app to save Snapchats. There are a few different apps available, such as SaveSnap and SnapSave. These apps allow you to save photos without sending a notification. To use them, you will have to log into your Snapchat account through the app. Then you can save any Snapchats you receive within the app. The downside is that giving third party apps access to your Snapchat account can raise security concerns. They may have wide permissions to interact with your account.
Using Your Phone’s Storage
Your phone’s internal storage can also be used to save Snapchats. When you receive a photo or video on Snapchat, it gets downloaded to your phone’s storage automatically. Even though you can only view it for a short time within the app, the downloaded version remains saved. Using your phone’s file explorer, you can find the Snapchat folder and gain access to old Snapchats.
On Android phones, the files are usually saved in a folder called Snapchat within your phone’s internal storage. For iPhones, connecting your phone to a computer and using a program like iExplorer lets you access device storage and find the Snapchat files. The steps can be a bit complex compared to taking a screenshot. But this method allows you to save Snapchats secretly.
Using Snapchat Memories
Snapchat Memories is a private storage area within the app where you can save your own Snaps. To save a Snap to Memories, tap the downward arrow icon when viewing it. This will save the Snap to Memories so you can access it later within Snapchat. You can also edit and re-share Snaps saved in Memories.
One limitation of Memories is that you can only save your own Snaps, not ones you receive from other people. And the Snaps still disappear if you delete them from Memories. However, it is a good option if you just want to refer back to your own Snaps occasionally within the app. The privacy settings also let you hide certain Memories if you only want to keep some Snaps.
Using Third Party Apps
In addition to individual Snap saving apps, there are also apps that offer cloud storage or social media backup for all your Snaps. Apps like Snapback and Snapbox automatically download your incoming and outgoing Snaps and upload them to cloud storage linked to your account.
| App | Cloud Storage Used | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Snapback | Google Drive or Dropbox | Free or $1.99 monthly for enhanced version |
| SnapSave | Proprietary Cloud | Free or $3.99 monthly subscription |
The advantage of comprehensive cloud backup is that it captures all your Snaps automatically. And cloud storage means they are accessible across devices. The downside is that you have to route all your usage through the app. And it can get expensive if you want large storage allowances.
Using a Snapchat Viewer
There are websites known as Snapchat Viewers that allow you to view and download saved versions of public Snapchat stories. These sites work by aggregating public Snapchat stories and images that people submit to them.
To use a Snapchat Viewer, find the username of the account whose public Snapchat story you want to view. Type this into the Snapchat Viewer site. It will display all the public Snaps from that user. You can then screenshot or download the ones you want to save.
The ethics of Snapchat Viewers are questionable since they save Snapchats without consent. Also, they only work on public stories, not private communications. But they do offer a way to easily download public Snapchat images.
Should You Save Snapchats?
Before saving Snapchats, it is important to consider if you are violating privacy expectations. Many send Snaps expecting they will disappear. So saving them long-term without consent raises ethical concerns, especially for private communications.
For private Snaps, it is best to ask the sender before saving anything. For public Stories, downloading content can be considered fair use in many cases. But if you want to re-share public Snaps, giving credit is the ethical thing to do.
In summary, while there are ways to save Snapchats, it is a good idea to respect the expectations of senders when making your decision.
Conclusion
There are now numerous methods to save Snapchat photos if you want to keep them outside of the app. Taking screenshots is the simplest approach. Using a dedicated Snapchat saver app allows you to save without notifications. Your phone’s local storage has any Snapchat you open, even if just temporarily. Snapchat Memories lets you keep your own Snaps privately. And third party apps offer comprehensive cloud backup.
However, it is wise to exercise caution and respect privacy when saving Snaps without consent. While the technical capability exists, the ethics remain a gray area. Ultimately, the best solution is to only save Snaps when the sender agrees to more permanent storage. This helps maintain trust and privacy within your relationships on Snapchat.