Saving Snaps in Chat is a feature that allows Snapchat users to keep Snapchat messages longer than the usual 1 to 10 second viewing limit. When a Snap is saved in Chat, it means the recipient can view it as many times as they want until they leave the Chat screen.
What is a Snap and How Long Do They Last?
A Snap is a photo, video, text, or drawing message sent through Snapchat. Snaps have traditionally been ephemeral, meaning they disappear after being viewed once. When first sending a Snap, users can choose a viewing time of 1 to 10 seconds for the recipient. After the time expires, the Snap disappears from the recipient’s phone and the Snapchat servers.
This ephemeral nature has been a core part of Snapchat since its creation. The disappearing messages create a feeling of privacy and freedom to share more authentic, silly, or raw moments without worrying about it living on permanently.
What Does It Mean to “Save” a Snap in Chat?
Usually after opening a Snap, it’s gone forever. But Snapchat introduced the Replay feature in 2013, which allows recipients to “Save” or Replay a Snap once per day. This lets users re-view a Snap for up to 24 hours after first opening it.
In 2018, Snapchat expanded this capability with the “Save in Chat” feature. Now when users are in a one-on-one Chat with someone, they can tap and hold a Snap to save it. This stores the Snap within the Chat screen, allowing the recipient to view it as many times as they want while still within that Chat.
Once the user leaves the Chat screen, the Saved Snapchat disappears as usual. But saving it in Chat allows repeated viewing and cuts down on screenshots.
Why Would You Want to Save a Snap in Chat?
There are several reasons saving a Snap in Chat can be useful:
To Refer Back to Details
If a Snap contains pertinent info like an address, phone number, directions, or instructions, saving it can allow referring back to details instead of asking the sender to re-send.
To Show Others
Saving a Snap allows showing it to other people while together in person. For example, saving a funny video Snap to show friends later.
To Reply Later
Sometimes you receive a Snap but can’t reply right away. Saving it makes it easy to reference later when sending a reply.
To Pin Important Messages
Saving Valuable Snaps pins them to the top of your Chat screen for easy access until you leave the Chat.
To Study the Content
If a Snap contains complex content, saving it in Chat allows studying all details and nuances while still having easy access.
How to Save a Snap in Chat
Saving a Snapchat in Chat to view multiple times is easy:
1. Open the Snapchat in your Chat screen per usual.
2. After viewing, tap and hold down on the Snap with your finger.
3. A popup will appear saying “Chat – Tap to Save”
4. Release your finger and the Snapchat will be saved within your current Chat screen.
5. You can now tap on the saved Snap as many times as you want to view it again while still in the Chat screen.
6. When you navigate back or close the Chat screen, the saved Snapchat disappears as usual.
Things to Know About Saving Snaps in Chat
- You can only save Snaps sent directly in Chat, not Stories.
- Recipients can screenshot your saved Snap at any time.
- There is no limit on how many Snaps you can save per Chat.
- Saving does not notify the sender.
How Many Times Can You View a Saved Snap?
There is no limit on views of a saved Snap. You can tap to view it an unlimited number of times as long as you remain within the Chat screen where it was originally sent.
Once you exit the Chat or close the Snapchat app, saved Snaps disappear as usual. But while in the Chat, feel free to refer back to saved Snaps as often as needed.
Can You Save Snaps Forever?
Unfortunately, there is no way to permanently save a Snapchat message. Even with the Save to Chat feature, the sent Snap will eventually disappear after leaving the Chat screen.
If you want to save a Snap forever, your only option is taking a screenshot before it expires. But keep in mind the other user will be notified if you screenshot their Snap.
The ephemeral nature of Snaps remains part of Snapchat’s design to create a more authentic, in-the-moment sharing experience. The company sees value in the temporary nature of these shared moments.
When Was the Save to Chat Feature Introduced?
The capability to save a Snapchat in Chat was introduced in April 2018. Here is a brief timeline of related Snapchat features:
July 2011
– Snapchat first launched, establishing ephemeral messaging where Snaps disappear after 1-10 seconds.
December 2013
– Snapchat introduces Replay, allowing users to re-view one Snap per day for up to 24 hours.
April 2015
– Snapchat adds the ability to edit snaps before sending.
April 2018
– Snapchat rolls out Chat 2.0, allowing users to save Snaps by pressing and holding in Chat.
July 2019
– Snapchat expands Replay allowing users to re-view Snaps multiple times for up to an hour after receiving them.
Does Saving Notify the Sender?
Nope! A key advantage of the Save to Chat feature is that the sender is not notified when a recipient saves their Snap.
With earlier Replay features, any time you replayed a Snap the sender would see how many times it was replayed. The new Chat saving happens privately without the other user knowing.
This avoids flooding friends with unnecessary notifications. And it enables discreetly reviewing Snaps as needed without cluttering up your friends’ feeds.
Can You Save Snapchat Stories?
At this time, the Save to Chat feature only works on individual Snaps sent directly in an active Chat. It does not work on Snapchat Stories.
Stories disappear 24 hours after posting, and currently there is no way to save them to Chat. You can screenshot Stories, but screenshot notifications will alert your friends.
The Save to Chat capability was specially designed for private one-on-one conversations. But perhaps future Snapchat updates will allow saving Stories or group Chats too!
Is Saving Snaps Risky?
While saving Snaps privately in Chat reduces screenshots, there are still risks to keep in mind:
- Recipients can take screenshots of your saved Snaps without detection.
- Anyone who gains access to the phone could view and screenshot saved Snaps.
- As with all digital data, there is potential for hacking of saved Snap information.
If you want to share very sensitive information, even on Snapchat, it may be wise to avoid sending it in the first place. While convenient, saving Snaps in Chat does not guarantee privacy.
How Has Saving Snaps Changed Snapchat?
When first launched, Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging was revolutionary. But user behavior and expectations have evolved. People want both temporariness and convenience.
Saving Snaps in Chat is Snapchat’s attempt to balance these demands. Users still get the spontaneity and authenticity of disappearing Snaps. But features like Replay and Save to Chat provide flexibility when needed.
While some bemoan the shifts from pure ephemerality, saving Snaps in Chat has arguably made Snapchat more user-friendly. The feature recognizes that not all content and conversations are created equal. Offering this ability provides greater choice over how audiences engage with content.
Conclusion
Being able to save a Snap in Chat lets Snapchat users replay and refer back to messages while in an ongoing conversation. Rather than permanently saving Snaps, it stores them temporarily within a Chat screen.
This allows users to pin important Snaps, study complex ones, show friends in-person, or refer back to key details. Saving helps cut down on screenshot notifications while still letting people review content as needed.
Overall, the Save to Chat capability aims to balance Snapchat’s ephemeral style with user needs for flexibility. It shows how social media networks must evolve features over time to fit changing expectations around messaging and communication.