Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among young people. A key feature of Snapchat is that photos, videos, and messages are not permanent, and disappear after being viewed. This creates a sense of privacy and ephemerality. However, Snapchat does have some features that provide information about whether a Snap has been delivered and opened. Understanding the meaning behind Snapchat’s “delivered” and “received” notifications can be helpful for understanding if your message was seen.
Delivered on Snapchat
When you send a Snap on Snapchat, you may see a notification under the Snap that says “Delivered.” This means that your Snap has successfully been transmitted to the recipient’s device. It does not necessarily mean they have opened or viewed it yet. Some key things to know about the “Delivered” notification on Snapchat:
- It confirms your Snap has been sent on Snapchat’s servers and delivered to the recipient’s phone.
- The recipient may not have viewed the Snap yet. It is waiting on their device.
- There can be a lag between when you send the Snap and when it shows “Delivered.” Give it a few minutes.
- If it does not say “Delivered,” your Snap may have failed to send due to connectivity issues.
Essentially, “Delivered on Snapchat means your Snap is now out of your hands and residing on the recipient’s device, waiting to be opened. Think of it as your Snap being in their inbox. It does not definitively indicate they have opened or viewed it yet.
Received on Snapchat
If your Snap shows the notification “Received,” this means the recipient has opened your Snap and viewed its contents. Here is what to know about the “Received” notification:
- It means the recipient has opened your Snap and seen the photo, video, or message.
- This usually happens shortly after it shows “Delivered,” unless the recipient opens Snapchat after a delay.
- Once it says “Received,” you know your Snap has been viewed.
- The time between “Delivered” and “Received” depends on when the recipient opens your Snap.
“Received” confirms that your Snap was not just delivered to the device, but actually opened. This gives you certainty that the recipient saw your Snap.
Why Delivered and Received Matter
Understanding the nuances between “Delivered” and “Received” on Snapchat gives you insight into whether your message was just transmitted or actually viewed. Here are some reasons why the delivery receipts matter:
- Delivered confirms your Snap left your device successfully. If it doesn’t say delivered, you may need to retry sending.
- Received tells you definitively your Snap was viewed by the recipient.
- The time between delivered and received indicates roughly when they actually viewed it.
- No notification usually means your Snap failed to send or reach their device.
While Snapchat does not provide read receipts on every Snap like some messengers, the delivered and received notifications give helpful clues into whether your Snap reached its destination and was seen. Many people enjoy these notifications to confirm their Snaps were opened.
What Happens When You Block Someone on Snapchat
If you block someone on Snapchat, they will no longer be able to view any of your Stories or send you Snaps. You will also not be able to see their Stories or receive their Snaps. Here is what happens when you block a user on Snapchat:
- Your Snaps will no longer show “Delivered” or “Received” to a blocked user.
- Their Snaps will not be delivered to you at all.
- Either user will no longer appear in each other’s Friends list.
- You won’t be notified if a blocked user screenshots your Snaps.
- Blocking is mutual – you both block each other simultaneously.
In essence, blocking cuts off all Snapping between the two users. All messaging and statuses are hidden in both directions. The only exception is if either user has the other added on their Snapchat contacts – the blocked account would remain in the contacts list.
Delivered and Received for Chat vs. Stories
The “Delivered” and “Received” notifications work slightly differently for direct Snaps in chat vs. Stories:
Chat
- You will see “Delivered” and “Received” for one-on-one or group chat Snaps.
- This tells you if the specific recipient opened the Snap you sent.
- You will not see screenshots or replays.
Stories
- You can see how many people viewed your Story.
- You won’t see delivery receipts for who specifically opened your Story.
- You can see screenshots and replays of public Stories.
So “Delivered” and “Received” only apply to direct Snaps sent to specific people. For Stories, you can only see total view counts, not receipts per person.
How Long do Delivered and Received Snapchats Stay?
The “Delivered” and “Received” notifications are not permanent on Snapchat. Here’s how long they typically remain before disappearing:
- Delivered status remains for up to 30 days.
- Received status remains for 24 hours.
- These times may vary if either user replays the Snap.
- After the time expires, the statuses are removed and can’t be recovered.
So make sure to take note of the delivery receipts shortly after sending or receiving a Snap, because they won’t stick around forever. The shorter window for Received makes sense, since it confirms the Snap was opened.
Troubleshooting Delivered and Received
Sometimes issues come up with Snapchat’s delivery confirmations. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Snap says Delivered but not Received
- Give the recipient more time to open the Snap.
- Check your internet connection is strong on both ends.
- The app may have glitched and failed to register Received.
- Try sending another Snap to confirm the issue.
- The recipient may have opened it quickly and closed before Received updated.
Snap never says Delivered
- Check your internet connection and try again.
- Restart the Snapchat app on your device.
- The recipient may have connectivity issues.
- Try sending a chat instead to test if it goes through.
- Make sure you haven’t been blocked by the recipient.
Received but no screenshot notification
- Screenshot notifications don’t always work reliably.
- The recipient may have circumvented the screenshot detection.
- Android handles screenshots differently than iPhone.
- You will only see screenshot notifications from chat Snaps, not Stories.
Snapchat’s platforms have varying reliability when it comes to delivery confirmations. Try these troubleshooting tips if your Snaps seem to get stuck.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s delivery notifications provide useful insight into whether your Snaps reach their destination and get opened. “Delivered” means your Snap has reached the recipient’s device, while “Received” means they have opened and viewed it. However, these statuses don’t persist forever, so check them shortly after sending. Troubleshoot any issues with deliveries not showing up using the tips provided. Understanding Snapchat’s system for Delivered and Received Snaps gives you visibility into your messages reaching their mark.