How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot

Snapchat is a photo sharing service that lets its users send photos and videos to others. There a lot of other messengers out there that do the exact same thing. So, what is Snapchat’s unique selling point? Snapchat lets its users send ephemeral messages i.e messages that expire after a short time. It is this very ability of Snapchat that has made it wildly popular around the world.

More and more people (especially teens) are using this app to send private messages in the belief that their private snaps would be destroyed after a certain time. Even Snapchat states that the snaps are removed from their servers after one time viewing. So, what exactly could go wrong and why shouldn’t you send really private snaps over Snapchat?

How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot

Snapchat has put in some effort to save the ephemeral nature of its messages, but it simply isn’t enough. Snapchat notifies the sender when the receiver takes a screenshot of the snap. Apart from this, the receiver can use different methods to save your snaps and there is nothing like true ephemerality in reality. Given below is a complete guide on how to save Snapchat snaps.

5 Ways To Save Snapchat Snaps Permanently Without The Sender’s Knowledge

1. The easiest way to save the snaps is to take a picture of the received snap with a camera. This method is a little cumbersome since you have to press and hold to view the snap.

2. There are a lot of apps already available in the market that let you save all the snaps you have received. Apps like Snap Save, SaveSnap, SnapBox etc. do all the heavy lifting for you and save your snaps.

Check Out: Top 5 iOS And Android Apps To Save SnapChat Photos/Videos/Stories

3. Use file managing software like iFunBox to browse the files on your mobile device after connecting to your computer. After careful examination you can find the temporary snaps on your mobile device. Download and save them to your system. This method can be used to save the snaps only before opening the snaps.

4. Since every snap you receive is stored locally on your device, data recovery software used to recover lost or accidentally deleted files can be used to recover the snaps too. This method is used after the snaps have been viewed and destroyed.

5. While taking a screenshot on your iPhone/iPad/iPod by holding the home and power button at the same time, keep a finger on the screen to hold the picture. When you let go and see the snaps section again, tap the home button twice before the picture disappears. This cancels SnapChat’s detection and you can view the screenshot on your phone as many times as you want. Personally, I haven’t had much success with this hack.

These are the various methods by which a Snapchat snap can be saved permanently without the sender having any hint about it. It is never safe to send private snaps over Snapchat. So, act wisely the next time you intend to send a private snap on Snapchat.

Tagged as: Ephemeral Messaging, How To, Snapchat

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Snapchat doesn't prevent you from taking screenshots of snaps received, but the other user will get an alert either as a prominent push notification or a subtle note in the app. Snapchat has improved its screenshot detection abilities over the years, so it's much harder to circumvent its technology for truly undetected screenshots — but not impossible.

Taking screenshots of snaps undetected has a long history. Outdated methods included taking a screenshot or video with QuickTime on a Mac, using third-party apps such as Snapkeep, jailbreaking to utilize tweaks such as Snapchat Log, and even just taking a regular screenshot. Turning Airplane Mode on, taking a screenshot of the snap, then turning off Airplane Mode used to work, too.

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Method 1: Airplane Mode + Passcode Screen

If your iPhone suddenly loses an internet connection when you take a screenshot, then Snapchat isn't able to relay that back to the sender immediately. However, they'll get a notification as soon as you get back online.

Years ago, Airplane Mode immediately tripped up Snapchat, preventing a screenshot or recording notification from being sent back. In recent years, the app has gotten much smarter, but there's still a way to take advantage of the trick.

Your first step is still to turn on Airplane Mode, making sure that both Wi-Fi and cellular are disabled. Once your iPhone is completely disconnected from the internet, open the snap in question, take your screenshot, then swipe its thumbnail off-screen or let it disappear automatically to save it. You could also take a screen recording instead.

How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot

If you take a screenshot of a chat, Snapchat will say "You took a screenshot!" But don't worry — if you follow one of the two options below, depending on your iPhone model, it will never register as a screenshot.

Option 1: Tease a Soft Reboot (Home Button Models Only)

This option is the fastest way, but it only works on iPhone models with a Home button. First, long-press the Side button until the power slider appears. Now, long-press the Home button until the passcode screen pops up. Punch in your iPhone's passcode, disable Airplane Mode, then head back to Snapchat. You'll find the snap you already opened marked unread, with your friend none the wiser.

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How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot
How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot

Option 2: Force Restart (All Models)

This option works on all iPhone models. So if you have an iPhone with Face ID, you'd use this, and if you have Touch ID, it's just another way to do it. To start, force-restart your iPhone. The process will be different depending on your iPhone model:

  • iPhone 8 or newer: quickly press-and-release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button, then long-press the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • iPhone 7/7 Plus: press-and-hold the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button together until the Apple logo appears.
  • iPhone 6S/6S Plus/SE (1st Gen): press-and-hold the Sleep/Wake button and Home button together until the Apple logo appears.

Once your iPhone reboots, disable Airplane Mode, then head back to Snapchat. You should see the snap you took a screenshot of unopened. Success!

Method 2: Take a Picture with Another Device

If you don't feel like messing around with the first method, your next best bet is to take a picture or video of a snap with another device, then send it to yourself via email, text, AirDrop, etc.

Don't have another phone? An iPod touch, iPad or another tablet, DSLR, Apple Watch camera band, point-and-shoot digital camera, or another portable camera option will work. You could also always use the webcam on your Windows PC or iSight, FaceTime, or FaceTime HD camera on a Mac as a last resort.

How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot
How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot

While this method is impossible for Snapchat to detect, it doesn't always provide you with a quality image or video. Plus, you need a camera besides the one on your iPhone.

Method 3: Airplane Mode + Uninstall/Reinstall

Before the discovery of Method 1, there was an Airplane Mode hack that worked but was a bit over-the-top. First, follow the same initial instructions as Method 1 — enable Airplane Mode, ensuring both Wi-Fi and cellular are disabled. Next, open Snapchat, open the snap, screenshot it, then swipe its thumbnail off-screen or let it disappear automatically to save it. You could also take a screen recording instead.

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This is where things get a little weird. Now, you need to uninstall Snapchat while Airplane Mode is still enabled. To do so, go to your home screen, long-press the Snapchat icon, then choose "Delete App" from the quick actions menu. Tap "Delete" on the pop-up, then turn off Airplane Mode, ensuring that your Wi-Fi and Cellular connections are live again.

How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot
How to save pictures from snapchat chat without screenshot

Next, go to the App Store, and reinstall Snapchat. Once it's fully installed, you'll just need to log back in. You won't have lost anything — all your saved snaps and memories are tied to your account, and anything that you downloaded to your Photos app will still be there.

After reinstalling Snapchat and refreshing the chat feed, you should see "New Snap," like you never opened it at all.

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Cover image by Justin Meyers/Gadget Hacks; Screenshots and GIFs by Jake Peterson/Gadget Hacks

Can you save a Snapchat photo without screenshot?

Swipe down twice from the top of your screen. Rather than saving the photo as a picture, the screen recording method will save a video. Taking a screen recording will also send a notification to the other user, so only use this method if you are comfortable with them knowing you saved the chat.

Can you save Snapchat pictures from chat?

How to save Snaps on Snapchat in 2021. To save a Snap in chat, simply press and hold on the screen while viewing it, then choose the option to save it. Afterward, the Snap will remain in the chat window, where it can reviewed at any time or saved to the camera roll.

How do you save a Snapchat picture from someone else?

Open Memories from camera view in Snapchat by tapping the photos icon next to the shutter button. Tap to open the photo you want to save to Photos. Tap the More icon in the upper-right corner. Tap Export Snap.