Is there a way to screenshot on Snapchat without notifying them?

Quick Answer

There are a few ways to screenshot on Snapchat without notifying the sender:

• Using a second phone or camera to take a photo of the Snapchat screen
• Using specialized apps or modified versions of Snapchat
• Covering the Snapcode before screenshotting
• Turning off mobile data or airplane mode before screenshotting

However, these methods don’t always work perfectly and Snapchat is constantly updating to detect new ways of screenshotting discreetly. The only foolproof way is to just avoid screenshotting Snaps if you don’t want the sender to know.

Using Another Phone/Camera

One low-tech way to screenshot Snapchat without notifying the sender is to simply use a second phone or camera to photograph the Snapchat screen. Here’s how:

1. Open the Snapchat you want to save on your main phone.
2. Use a second phone, camera, or other device to take a photo of your main phone’s screen displaying the Snapchat.
3. The sender will not receive a notification since no screenshot was taken on the device displaying the Snapchat.

The quality won’t be as good as a direct screenshot. But it gets the job done discreetly. Just make sure to completely fill the viewfinder with the Snapchat screen to get a clear photo.

Apps and Modified Versions of Snapchat

There are some third-party apps and modified (“modded”) versions of Snapchat that allow covert screenshotting, such as:

Casper and Snapchat++:

• Modified versions of Snapchat with screenshotting ability removed.
• Allow saving Snaps without leaving evidence.
• Must be downloaded from third-party app stores, not official app stores.

Stealth Snap:

• App designed to secretly view and save Snapchats.
• Doesn’t actually screenshot, just records and replays Snaps.
• Hit-or-miss compatibility and reliability.

Hider 2:

• App that runs in the background and monitors notifications.
• Automatically takes screenshot when Snapchat screen opens.
• Requires some setup but can work fairly well.

However, Snapchat often releases updates to block these third-party apps and mods from working properly. They have varying reliability.

Covering Snapcode

Here’s a simple trick that sometimes works:

1. Open the Snapchat you want to screenshot.
2. Use your finger or a piece of paper to fully cover the Snapcode (the code that identifies your account).
3. Take a screenshot with the Snapcode obscured.

This works because Snapchat uses the Snapcode to identify your account and who sent the Snap. If it can’t see the code, it can’t notify the sender. However, this doesn’t always work if Snapchat’s screening technology has improved.

Airplane Mode

You may be able to avoid detection by:

1. Opening the Snapchat you want to save and screenshot it.
2. Immediately after, put your phone into Airplane Mode to cut off internet access.
3. Close Snapchat while still in Airplane Mode.
4. When you turn Airplane Mode off, Snapchat shouldn’t be able to send the notification.

Similarly, you can force close the Snapchat app or turn mobile data off right after taking a screenshot. This prevents the app from uploading the notification to Snapchat’s servers. But it doesn’t work 100% of the time.

Rooted or Jailbroken Phone

If you have a rooted Android or jailbroken iOS device, you can use hacking tools like SnapPrank and SnapSave to disable screenshot notifications. But this requires advanced technical knowledge and carries a risk of your account being banned. For most users, rooting or jailbreaking just for Snapchat isn’t worth it.

Conclusion

While the above methods can work, none are guaranteed to avoid detection in every case. Snapchat is constantly updating to close loopholes. The only surefire way to screenshot without the sender knowing is to just refrain from screenshotting in the first place. Or if you really need to save a Snap, ask the sender to send it to you as a Chat instead.

Overall, discretely taking screenshots on Snapchat involves a cat-and-mouse game with developers. Any new method can stop working at any time. If you screenshot something sensitive, there’s always a chance the sender gets tipped off. So it’s smart to exercise caution and good judgment when saving Snaps. Don’t screenshot anything that would anger or embarrass the sender if they found out.

Method	Reliability	Quality	Difficulty
2nd Phone/Camera	High	Low	Medium
3rd Party Apps	Medium	High	Medium
Cover Snapcode	Low	High	Low
Airplane Mode	Medium	High	Low

Other Ways Snapchat Detects Screenshots

In addition to the Snapcode and notifications, Snapchat has other ways of detecting when a Snap has been screenshotted:

• Screen recording – Snapchat can sometimes tell when your device screen is being recorded during a Snap.
• Third-party app detection – Snapchat looks for known screenshot apps like SnapSave and blocks them.
• Device identification – Each device has unique identifiers that Snapchat can link to screenshot notifications.
• Traffic analysis – Unusual spikes in traffic from a device after receiving a Snap may indicate a screenshot.
• Machine learning – Snapchat uses AI to detect patterns that indicate someone is covertly taking screenshots.

So even if you find ways around the notifications, Snapchat still has methods to detect if you’ve screenshotted. The technology is always improving to close loopholes.

Consequences of Getting Caught

What happens if the sender is notified that you took a screenshot?

• The sender will know you have a saved copy of their Snap.
• They may get angry, especially if it was meant to be private.
• They may block you or report you to Snapchat if they feel you’ve violated their trust.
• If you screenshot very frequently, Snapchat may throttle your account or ban you entirely.

The fallout depends on the content and your relationship with the sender. But it’s smart to be respectful of their privacy. If you’re screenshotting harmless Snaps from friends once in a while it’s probably fine. But repeated covert screenshots of sensitive material could land you in trouble.

When Is It OK to Screenshot?

Some cases where covertly screenshotting may be ethically acceptable:

• The Snap is not private, offensive, or sensitive in nature.
• You just want to save a funny Snap from a friend to look at later.
• To report illegal or dangerous activity depicted in a Snap.
• If consent is given by the sender or content creator.
• If you have reason to believe the content was shared without the creator’s consent.

It comes down to judgment. If no harm is being done, an occasional secret screenshot is not a big deal. But repeated covert screenshots of private content can seriously breach trust and consent.