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Why is Snapchat saying I screenshot?

Why is Snapchat saying I screenshot?

Snapchat notifies users when someone takes a screenshot of their snaps. This is a core part of Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging system. Snapchatters are meant to feel comfortable sharing more authentic, ephemeral moments if they know screenshots aren’t being taken without their knowledge. So if you try to screenshot a Snapchat, the app will let the sender know.

Why Does Snapchat Notify You of Screenshots?

Snapchat’s entire premise is that the photos, videos, and messages sent between users will disappear after viewing. This allows for more authentic, silly, or private sharing since the content isn’t permanent. However, without screenshot notifications, recipients could easily save snaps without senders knowing. This would undermine Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging system.

Snapchat’s CEO Evan Spiegel explained the reasoning behind screenshot notifications in a 2015 interview:

“We thought really hard about the psychology and social dynamics of messaging before we launched Snapchat. One thing we learned is that pictures don’t just disappear from your phone when you delete them, they live on in your mind. This makes people concerned about sending photos because they don’t know where they’ll end up. With the Snapchat service, we built a way to communicate that prioritizes fast, visual communication, leaving room for spontaneity — but the service eliminates the risk of having an unwanted copy of your photo stuck in someone’s phone.”

Snapchat’s screenshot notification feature helps users feel more comfortable sharing ephemeral moments without worrying where that content will travel. It keeps Snapchat a casual, in-the-moment messaging app.

How Does Snapchat Detect Screenshots?

Snapchat’s apps use screenshot detection APIs built into iOS and Android. These mobile operating systems have the ability to notify apps when a screenshot has occurred. Snapchat simply leverages this API to present users with screenshot notifications.

Specifically, Snapchat takes advantage of the following platform features:

  • iOS allows apps to register for the UIApplicationUserDidTakeScreenshotNotification notification.
  • Android uses the MediaProjection API, part of the android.media package.

When you take a screenshot on mobile, Snapchat receives notification through these APIs and can then display an in-app alert to the snap sender.

When Does Snapchat Not Notify You of Screenshots?

In some cases, Snapchat does not actually present screenshot notifications:

  • Screen Recording – Snapchat cannot detect when users screen record a snap instead of taking a screenshot.
  • App in Background – If the Snapchat app is in the background, it does not appear able to detect screenshots.
  • Airplane Mode – Snapchat may not get screenshot notifications if the device is in Airplane Mode when the screenshot is taken.
  • Force Quitting – On iOS, force quitting Snapchat seems to prevent screenshot detection.

Users are regularly searching for screenshot “hacks” to avoid detection. But the above loopholes are the most reliable ways to screenshot without triggering a Snapchat notification.

How to Screenshot on Snapchat Without Notifying Sender

If you really want to screenshot a Snapchat without the sender knowing, there are a couple different options:

Use Another Camera

The easiest way is to simply use another camera to photograph the screen when the snap appears. This could be a standalone camera, another phone, or a camera on a different device. Since you aren’t actually screenshotting on the device itself, Snapchat won’t get notified.

Screen Record

As mentioned above, screen recording does not trigger screenshot notifications. To screen record on iOS, enable QuickTime Player via Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls. Then swipe up to access Control Center and select Screen Recording. On Android, enabling screen recording varies by device. But it’s often found in Settings or the notification shade.

Force Quit the App

On iOS, you can screenshot Snapchats without getting caught by force quitting the Snapchat app. To do this, double click the Home button when in Snapchat to bring up your recent apps. Then swipe up on the Snapchat preview to force quit the app. Your snap will still be visible, and you can screenshot without detection. Just be sure to reopen Snapchat before trying to take another snap.

Use Airplane Mode

As mentioned earlier, Snapchat may not get screenshot notifications if your phone is in Airplane Mode. When you want to screenshot a Snapchat, enable Airplane Mode via Settings or your phone’s Control Center. Screenshot the snap, then turn Airplane Mode off.

Does Snapchat Notify on First Screenshot?

Snapchat does not always notify on the very first screenshot. The app provides a limited number of “freebies” before the screenshot notification goes out. This prevents accidental screenshots from triggering notifications.

The exact number of screenshots allowed before notification is not confirmed. But according to Snapchat, “we allow for a couple snapshots to be taken so you can retake if your finger slips. But after 3-5 screenshots, we notify the sender.”

Does Screenshot Notification Show Who Did It?

No, Snapchat’s screenshot notification does not reveal who actually took the screenshot. The alert simply tells the sender that their snap was captured. There is no identifying information shown about the screenshotter.

Can You Hide Snapchat Screenshot Notification?

There is no way to hide or remove the screenshot notification from the sender’s end. As the screenshot receiver, your identity is anonymous, but the sender is always notified when their snap gets screenshotted after the freebie screenshots.

Even if you block the sender after taking a screenshot, the alert will still send to them if they haven’t opened the message thread yet. The notification gets attached to the snap itself.

Does Deleting Screenshot Remove Notification?

No, deleting a screenshot does not remove the notification. As soon as the screenshot is captured, Snapchat registers it on their servers and alerts the sender. Deleting it from your camera roll does not revoke the notification.

The only way to avoid a screenshot notification is to screenshot before Snapchat detects it. There is no way to retroactively remove the notification.

Does Airplane Mode Remove Screenshot Notification?

Unfortunately, turning on Airplane Mode does not remove an existing screenshot notification. Even if you screenshot a snap, then enable Airplane Mode, the sender will still see the alert. The notification gets baked in at the time of screenshot.

Airplane Mode only prevents screenshot detection if enabled before taking the screenshot. It does not remove notifications retroactively.

Conclusion

Snapchat notifies users of screenshots to preserve the ephemeral, private messaging experience. Without screenshot detection, Snapchat would lose its casual, in-the-moment vibe. Screenshot notifications are simply the tradeoff for enjoying spontaneous photo and video sharing.

That said, there are a few workarounds to screenshot without triggering notifications, such as using another camera or force quitting the app. But these loopholes undermine the authentic sharing Snapchat aims to create.

If you want to screenshot Snapchats guilt-free, you’ll need to ask the sender for permission. Or better yet, embrace the fleeting nature of snaps and enjoy real, unfiltered moments that you don’t need to hold onto.