Alexis Kestler
Do you ever see that one hilarious Snapchat that you just need to save forever? Or want to screenshot an important message without the other person finding out?
You‘re not alone. While Snapchat‘s ephemeral messaging is part of its charm, there are perfectly valid reasons you might want to capture screenshots on the sly.
As a social media expert and tech geek, I get asked about sneakily screenshotting Snaps all the time. And I don‘t blame people for wanting to know how!
Snapchat‘s screenshot notification system can feel restrictive. But have no fear – with the right techniques, you can learn how to screenshot Snapchat messages and stories without them ever knowing.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share the top methods, apps, and tools to covertly save Snapchats in 2022. By the end, you‘ll be a pro at capturing screenshots without triggering notifications or detection.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- Why Snapchat Tells Users About Screenshots
- Does Screenshotting Snapchat Stories Notify the Creator?
- The Best Ways to Screenshot Snapchat Without Detection
- Using Screen Recorders
- Airplane Mode & Disabling Internet
- Mirroring Screens to a Computer
- Snapchat Emulators for PC
- Recording with Another Phone
- Third-Party Apps
- Can You See Who Screenshot Your Snapchat Story?
- Is Taking Secret Screenshots on Snapchat Ethical?
- FAQs on Snapchat Screenshots
Let‘s dive in and start learning how to discreetly save Snapchat pics and videos!
Why Does Snapchat Notify You About Screenshots?
Before we get into the sneakier stuff, it helps to understand why Snapchat tells people when you screenshot in the first place.
You see, Snapchat was designed for ephemeral, in-the-moment sharing. When you send a snap, it‘s meant to be viewed once then disappear forever.
Allowing screenshots would undermine this core concept. If anyone could save and distribute Snapchat messages, it would remove the spontaneity that makes the app fun.
So when you screenshot a snap, the sender is notified as a courtesy. This helps maintain Snapchat‘s ephemeral experience while letting you save something if needed.
Here‘s what the screenshot notification looks like:
The sender will see a small screenshot icon next to your name. Tapping it reveals the exact snap you captured.
Snapchat‘s goal with screenshot notifications is to encourage discretion. You can take screenshots, but the other person will know as a deterrent from overusing it.
This allows Snapchat to balance flexibility with protecting ephemerality. Users control if something gets saved forever, but not secretly.
Now that we understand why Snapchat notifies about screenshots, let‘s get into how to avoid those pesky alerts!
Does Taking a Screenshot on Snapchat Stories Notify the Creator?
Before we get sneaky, you may be wondering if the screenshot notification rules differ for Snapchat stories.
The answer is no – Snapchat treats stories and directly sent snaps the same when it comes to screenshots.
No matter what type of Snapchat content you capture a screenshot of, the creator is always notified. Here‘s what it looks like when you screenshot someone‘s story:
When viewing a story, your username appears under the list of viewers. If you screenshot a snap in the story, a small thumbnail icon appears next to your name.
Tapping the icon reveals which exact snap you saved from the story. So don‘t think you can screenshot Snapchat stories without the creator finding out!
However, one loophole is that you can screenshot Snapchat Local Stories freely. Local Stories are public crowd-sourced content. Since it‘s considered public domain, Snapchat allows you to screenshot Local Stories without notification.
But when it comes to individual users‘ Stories, taking a screenshot will always trigger an alert to the creator.
Now let‘s get into the best tricks for capturing Snapchat screenshots on the down low!
How to Screenshot on Snapchat Without Them Knowing
Even with Snapchat‘s robust screenshot detection, there are ways to beat the system and save snaps on the sly.
Here are my top 7 methods for taking discreet Snapchat screenshots that won‘t trigger notifications:
1. Use Your Phone‘s Built-In Screen Recorder
The simplest way to get around Snapchat‘s screenshot alerts is to screen record the snap or story directly from your phone.
Both iPhones and Android devices come equipped with screen recording capabilities. When you screen record, you can capture Snaps without triggering any notification to the sender.
Let me walk you through how to screen record on iPhone and Android:
iPhone Screen Recording
- Open Snapchat and navigate to the snap or story you want to save.
- Swipe down from the top right to open Control Center and tap the Screen Recording icon (it looks like a solid circle inside a ring).
- Your screen will countdown 3…2…1… before recording starts. The notification bar will turn red when recording.
- Open and record the Snap you want to capture. Make sure you record the full duration of any videos.
- When finished, open Control Center again and tap the Record icon to stop recording.
- Access your Snapchat screen recording in the Photos app. Enjoy knowing you saved the Snap forever without detection!
Android Screen Recording
- Open the Snapchat app and find the snap or story to record.
- Swipe down from the top to reveal your notification shade and tap the Screen Record icon (circle with a dot inside).
- Choose "Start now" to begin recording immediately, or "Start in 3 seconds" to countdown first.
- With the notification bar red, open Snapchat and record the snap/story you want to save.
- Return to the notification panel and tap Screen Record again to stop recording.
- Open your device‘s Gallery to find your recorded Snapchat video ready for keeping!
The brilliant thing about using built-in screen recording is it doesn‘t require any extra apps or software. Both iOS and Android make it quick and easy to capture your screen.
As long as you record the Snapchat content directly from your phone‘s screen recorder, the sender will never know you took a screenshot. It‘s the stealthiest way to save Snaps in 2022!
2. Use a Third-Party Screen Recorder App
If your phone lacks built-in recording, your next best option is to use a third-party screen recording app. There are many solid choices available:
For Android
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AZ Screen Recorder – Full-featured recorder with options for resolution, bitrates, orientation and more.
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DU Recorder – Another top choice for Android. Specializes in capturing mobile gameplay and apps.
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Mobizen Screen Recorder – Recorder with facecam and efficient compression algorithm.
For iPhone
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AirShou – A leading screen recorder for iOS. Integrates well with apps and provides output options.
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Shou – Feature-rich recorder with annotation tools, image editor, and custom configurations.
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Apowersoft iPhone Recorder – Recorder with cloud syncing and no ads. Very user friendly.
The advantage of third-party apps is the expanded features. You can tweak the video resolution, quality, mic audio, and more.
However, it‘s crucial to vet any third-party apps before downloading. Check reviews and look for red flags around privacy concerns or bugs. I suggest sticking to longstanding brands with lots of positive ratings.
And always test a recording app before relying on it to discreetly save Snaps. Make sure it functions smoothly and doesn‘t glitch out during capture.
3. Use Airplane Mode to Screenshot Offline
This trick has been around since the early Snapchat days – taking screenshots in Airplane Mode to prevent detection.
When your phone is in Airplane Mode, you‘re disconnected from the internet and Snapchat‘s servers. This blocks screenshot notifications from sending in the app.
Here are the steps to pull it off:
- Turn on Airplane Mode on your phone to cut off all connectivity.
- Open Snapchat and navigate to the snap or story you want to capture.
- Take the screenshot using your phone‘s screenshot function (hold power + volume down on Android or power + home button on iPhone).
- The snap will save to your camera roll without alerting the sender since you‘re offline.
- Important: Force quit the Snapchat app before turning off Airplane Mode to block pending notifications.
- Turn off Airplane Mode to reconnect to the internet. The sender will remain unaware you took a screenshot!
A few important warnings about this method:
- Only take one screenshot per Airplane Mode session, or delayed notifications may still send.
- Always force quit Snapchat before turning off Airplane Mode to prevent screenshot alerts.
- Clear Snapchat from your app multitasking view as an extra precaution.
Using Airplane Mode works best on iOS devices. On Android, background processes can sometimes push late screenshot notifications even in Airplane Mode.
4. Mirror Your Phone to a PC Screen Recorder
With this tactic, you‘ll use screen recording software on a desktop computer to capture Snapchat media from your phone. This blocks any screenshot detection within the app itself.
You‘ll first need to install screen mirroring software on your Windows or Mac computer. Some top options include:
- Apowersoft iPhone/Android Recorder (Windows and Mac)
- LonelyScreen (Mac)
- AirDroid Screen Recorder (Windows and Mac)
Then connect your phone to your computer via USB and mirror your phone display to the desktop software.
When your phone screen is mirrored, open Snapchat and record snaps or stories directly from the mirrored feed on your computer.
The key advantage is screenshots register on your phone device itself. By recording through mirroring software on a PC, the sender won‘t receive any notification you saved their Snap.
Just remember to disable notifications on your phone and mute sounds to keep your recording covert. With the right setup, this method is essentially undetectable.
5. Use a Snapchat Emulator on Your Computer
An Android emulator lets you run mobile apps on a PC as if you were directly on a phone. When you install Snapchat through an emulator, you can take screenshots freely without detection.
The most popular Snapchat emulator is Bluestacks – it‘s available for both Windows and Mac. Other options include MEmu, Nox Player, and Genymotion.
To use an emulator:
- Download and install your preferred Snapchat emulator on your computer. Bluestacks is my top recommendation.
- Open the emulator and login to your Google account.
- Install Snapchat through the emulator interface.
- Log in to Snapchat on the emulator via your account.
- You now have full access to use Snapchat on your computer. Screenshot to your heart‘s content without worrying about notifications!
The main downside to emulators is performance – Snapchat can be laggy or glitchy depending on your computer‘s specs. Make sure your computer meets the emulator‘s system requirements.
But when set up properly, using Snapchat on an emulator is a seamless way to get secret screenshots. You get the real mobile experience minus the screenshot detection.
6. Use Another Phone to Record the Screen
Alright, this method is a bit old-school – using a second phone to manually record another device‘s screen.
Simply have a friend log into their Snapchat account on one phone. Then position your phone nearby and record their screen as they open snaps and stories.
Since you‘re recording from an external device, Snapchat won‘t have any way to know you‘re saving the content. Just be sure whoever owns the Snapchat phone has notifications disabled.
Obviously this technique results in lower quality recordings. But it can work in a pinch when you need to covertly save Snapchat media.
7. Swipe Up to Replay Stories
Here‘s a clever tip to repeatedly view Snapchat stories without triggering screenshots – swipe up to close Stories instead of tapping through.
Rather than tapping the screen to advance frames, quickly swipe up to close the Story after viewing each snap. Then reopen the Story to view the same snaps again as much as you want.
As long as you don‘t let the Story progress on its own, Snapchat won‘t register you already viewed that snap. You can replay Stories endlessly this way without screenshot notifications.
While not true screenshots, this allows you to review snaps discretely. Just be sure to swipe up quickly after viewing each snap in the Story.
Can You See Who Screenshot Your Snapchat Story?
We‘ve covered sneaky ways to capture screenshots – but what about seeing who screenshot your own Snapchat Stories? Is that possible?
Unfortunately, Snapchat doesn‘t provide a list of every user who screenshot your Story.
When someone views your Story, you can see their username under the viewer list. If they screenshot a snap, a small thumbnail will appear next to their name.
But there‘s no master list to view everyone who took a screenshot. You can only see who did on the Story viewer list.
Essentially Snapchat relies on the honor system here. They assume users won‘t harass others for taking screenshots. But you can always block someone if you‘re suspicious of screenshot misuse.
Overall, Snapchat aims for balance. They provide just enough visibility to discourage excessive screenshots, while avoiding enabling retaliation against those who do it.
Is Taking Secret Screenshots on Snapchat Unethical?
Before you get too screenshot-happy, it‘s worth examining the ethics of taking secret screenshots in the first place.
Some would argue it‘s deceptive to covertly save Snaps against Snapchat‘s intended use. The sender posted an image expecting it to disappear after view, so keeping it forever violates their consent.
My take is it depends WHY you‘re taking discreet screenshots. If it‘s to embarrass someone or catch them saying something incriminating, then yes it‘s wrong.
But there are perfectly valid reasons like saving a funny meme to laugh at later, or keeping an important message for reference.
The ethical line ultimately comes down to consent and intent. Ask yourself – would the sender be OK with you saving this? Are you doing it with good intentions?
If you need to screenshot something for a legitimate reason, it‘s best to be transparent and ask the sender for permission first. Something like:
"Hey! Just wanted to let you know I took a screenshot of your Snap. It was too funny not to save – hope you don‘t mind but let me know if that‘s an issue!"
Giving them a heads up is the respectful thing to do in most cases. But as long as your intentions are pure, the occasional discreet screenshot isn‘t the end of the world.
Snapchat Screenshot FAQs
Let‘s wrap up with answers to some commonly asked questions around Snapchat screenshots:
Does screenshotting a Snapchat story notify the creator?
Yes it does! Snapchat always notifies the user when you screenshot their stories. A small thumbnail will appear next to your name in the story viewer list.
Can you see who screenshotted your Snapchat story?
Not exactly. You can only see who screenshotted your story when looking at the list of story viewers. There‘s no complete list of every user who has ever screenshot your story.
Why does Snapchat notify you about screenshots?
Notifications are Snapchat‘s way of maintaining some ephemerality. They want you to be able to screenshot but also deter excessive saving. Notifications strike a balance where content can be captured but not secretly.
Is taking a screenshot on Android different than iPhone?
The notification itself works the same on both platforms. But some hidden screenshot methods like Airplane Mode work better on iPhone. Android runs a higher risk of delayed notifications getting through even in Airplane Mode.
Does screenshotting notify on regular Snapchat messages?
Yes it does. Snapchat shows the sender when you screenshot any content, whether directly sent snaps, chat messages, or stories. The only exception is Snapchat Local stories which anyone can screenshot freely.
Can you screenshot Snapchat without them knowing in 2022?
Absolutely! While Snapchat has refined their screenshot detection over the years, all of the methods in this guide still work great in 2022. Using screen recording and mirroring apps is still completely undetectable.
Put These Snapchat Screenshot Secrets to Use
And there you have it – everything you need to know to secretly take Snapchat screenshots like a pro!
Screen recording your device is by far the most reliable way to avoid detection in 2022. Just be sure capture Snaps directly from your phone‘s screen recorder.
Disabling internet, mirroring screens to your computer, using emulators, and third-party apps also work great. Take your pick from this laundry list of covert screenshot methods.
At the end of the day remember to use these powers ethically. Never screenshot someone‘s content without their permission unless you have a legitimate reason to do so discreetly.
But when you really need to save something special from Snapchat, you now have all the tools to screenshot without them ever finding out! So go forth and capture those hilarious Snaps to cherish forever. Just keep it between us!
Let me know if you have any other questions about covertly screenshotting on Snapchat. I‘m happy to share more social media and tech tips anytime!
