How to Take Screenshots on Snapchat without them knowing? (2021)
We can see how popular and significant the photo-sharing app Snapchat has become in our lives nowadays. Going out with our friends and family or eating out at a fancy restaurant and not sending a snap isn’t an option. This ‘Snapchatting’ spree also includes those times when we want to save the snaps of others to our phones without the sender knowing.
The initial premise of the social media App Snapchat was that happy-go-users used to send their pictures and videos to their friends and colleagues, safe in the knowledge that their content will eventually expire after a matter of seconds; lost to the ether of digital history and if someone tries to take a screenshot of their sent snaps, they would get an alert notification immediately. If you have never heard of the term ‘ether of digital history, then don’t worry because such a place doesn’t quite exist. Once digital content goes out in the stratosphere, we can never be so sure if it’s gone for good or not.
One of the features of Snapchat that gave its users peace of mind was the ‘screenshot notification’. This means that whenever anyone takes a screenshot of the sender’s snap, the user is then notified. Ever since the App was launched back in 2011, Screenshot cheat sheets have been circulating the internet. Users have tried tons of options, from putting their smartphones on airplane mode, to force quitting the Snapchat app before it registers the screenshot and sends the alert to the sender.
Keeping all these cheat sheets in mind, Snapchat has closed off multiple avenues now, including the third-party apps that claimed the elusive secret screenshot, however, there is one avenue still open for the users which they can try.
We are here to tell you all the methods to take screenshots on Snapchat without letting anyone know about it, especially the sender!
READ ON TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT IS….
How to Take Screenshot on Snapchat:
The secret to taking screenshots on Snapchat lies within the trustworthy native IOS toolkit. Released with IOS 11, the screen recording feature on iPhones can be used to capture your interaction on social media apps. Even though the Android users had to wait quite a while for this fantastic feature, it’s now available for those phones too, since the release of the new Android 10 updates.
We tested this screenshot trip with iPhone and the other user did not receive the screenshot alert notification. However, from the feedback that we have received from some of our respectable viewers, stating that they have. If this method is the one you prefer using, then you should test it out with a close friend first.
Screenshot with iPhone:
iPhone users were once able to take screenshots of a snap or a video without sending the notification but unfortunately, this act was no longer possible after May 2021. Based on some of our tests, the other user did receive an alert notification for both the screen recording and the Screenshot function.
Even most of the third-party apps on the iPhone App Store don’t seem reliable anymore because almost all of them didn’t work for us. We believe that this is because of the latest update of Snapchat. So, if you are searching for a reliable third-party app to use to screenshot snaps on Snapchat, then keep checking the App Store.
iPhone users are only left with one option, i.e. Use another device for this. You will need to use another tablet or smartphone etc. if you want to capture a Snap without them knowing.
Screenshot with Android:
Before the latest Android 10 update, users were habitual of users third-party screen recording applications and even workarounds in Android’s game launcher. However, now, Android users can too enjoy the screen record feature just like iPhone users do.
TO ACCESS THE SCREEN RECORD FEATURE ON ANDROID:
Firstly, Android users have to open the snap on Snapchat which they want to screenshot, then pull it down from their smartphones to access the control panel.
Swipe left and locate the Screen record function given and hit record. A countdown will show on the screen and you will have successfully captured an image of the desired snap to your phone.
After that, tap the stop icon to end the screen recording and a screenshot alert notification won’t be sent to the sender of the snap. The only time when you won’t be able to initiate the screen recording feature is when you are in the middle of viewing the desired snap, so it is always best to glean whether or not a snap will warrant recording before you get a chance to open it.
This trick might not work all the time as there are instances in which the sender of the snap will be notified if you have screenshotted/ screen recorded their video or photo. Hence, your best bet is to test this workaround out on a friend’s snap first (someone who won’t care if you are taking screenshots of their snaps or videos).
Does the Airplane Mode method Work?
There used to be one simple workaround to take screenshots of snaps back in the day, but of course, just like any other responsible developer, Snapchat realized this trick and snuffed it out. So, coming to the main point, no, this workaround no longer works. However, we will explain to you what we tested and how the results came out.
What we tried to do:
- Turn the Airplane Mode on, turn the WIFI off, open the snap and, took a screenshot.
- Turn the Airplane Mode on, keep the WIFI on, open the snap and, took a screenshot.
- Open the snap and then turn on the Airplane Mode.
- Close the Snapchat App, turn Airplane Mode on, re-open the app and took a screenshot.
As we have mentioned above, no matter what we tried to do, the screenshot notification still appeared.
However, if you still run on the older version of the Snapchat application, you may be able to get away with taking the screenshot. We are enlisting the instruction down below but just be mindful; try it out with a close friend first.
To take a screenshot of someone’s snap without notifying them, try this:
- Open the Snapchat app and heed to your desired snap, but don’t just open it yet. It should still say ‘New Snap’.
- Let the app run in the background while you make your way over to settings and enter Airplane mode.
- Then, go to the snap you wish to capture and take its screenshot. DON’T go out of Airplane Mode immediately.
- Close the snap and go to your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap the settings cog and click on the ‘Clear Cache’ under ‘Account Actions’ and press ‘Clear All’.
- Once you have cleared the Cache, you can close the Snapchat app, and turn off the Airplane Mode.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS- FAQs:
Q1: Will Snapchat inform me if someone screenshots my snaps?
Snapchat always informs its users if someone takes a screenshot of their snap. However, many workarounds can help to take a screenshot on Snapchat without notifying the sender of the snap.
Q2: Is it illegal to screenshot someone’s snap on Snapchat?
As we have mentioned above in this article, it is frowned upon to take a screenshot of someone’s snap without permission, however, it is not necessarily illegal to do so. The legality of this action depends upon the following few factors:
The simple act of taking a screenshot of someone’s snap or video is not illegal. The reason behind this is that anyone who uses Snapchat is knowingly putting something up on the internet for their followers to see.
The main matter is what you do with the screenshot. If you disobey the terms and conditions of Snapchat or exploit someone’s snap then there can be some very serious legal consequences you would have to face afterward. For instance, the first legal issue you could run into is what you took a screenshot of? If it’s an explicit picture of a minor, just the possession of such a photograph or video clip can get you in lifelong trouble.
The second issue is extortion, meaning that you take an image of someone without their consent or telling them that you’ll share it if they don’t comply with your demands or conditions has very recently been in the news.
If you don’t suffice by the rules and conditions given by Snapchat, then there are chances you could get banned from using the application altogether. If the person whose content you took a screenshot of finds about it, they could report you to Snapchat Support, therefore you could get your account deactivated for violating their community guidelines.
Q3: How can I delete a snap after sending it?
Many users ask the question, “Can I delete the snap after sending it to another user? “The answer to this is YES, it is possible to delete your messages or snap after sending it.
Firstly, go to the snap or message which you want to delete and long-press it. A pop-up menu will appear on the screen. Click ‘Delete’, once you have confirmed, Snapchat will delete your snap immediately (although the other person will see that you have deleted something earlier). Assuming the other person hasn’t opened Snapchat yet, you are probably safe. However, if they have opened the chat and taken a screenshot, there is no way to get it back.
Q4: Why does the Snapchat App include screenshot notifications?
Screenshot alert notifications are becoming more prominent with the development and updates of the app. Even iPhone now notifies users when someone takes a screenshot on their FaceTime call. The main reason behind this is that developers of the apps are now including such features in their software on the basis that their users should preserve some semblance of internet privacy.
While Snapchat can’t stop you from taking a screenshot altogether, it can at least let the other person (the sender) know about it. As a Snapchat user myself, it is best to simply avoid putting anything online that can cause complications in the long run.
