When Snapchat first launched, you could take screenshots of anything without anyone knowing. But it didn't take long for Snapchat to add a feature that automatically sends a notification to whoever you're screenshotting.
Over the years, there have been a variety of ways to get around that notification. Some third-party apps could take the screenshot for you. Occasionally, screen recordings slipped under the radar. Until recently, turning on Airplane Mode would block the notification. But no matter the method, Snapchat inevitably patches it out.
These days, there's only one guaranteed way to screenshot someone on Snapchat without them knowing: Using a camera. Every other method on this list is not foolproof and carries some level of risk that a notification will be sent.
How to take a screenshot on Snapchat without someone knowing
With another camera
Using your iPhone or Android's built-in screenshot feature to capture someone's Snap will send that person a notification. The same goes if you use the built-in screen recording feature (with some exceptions, as we'll explain below).
This means that the best way to screenshot someone on Snapchat is to use another camera, probably on a second phone.
1. Open Snapchat on your phone and view the Snap that you want to screenshot.
2. While the Snap is on-screen, use another phone's camera to take a picture of the first phone's screen.
This is a low-tech solution, but it's currently the only surefire fool-proof way to take a screenshot without sending a notification.
Screen recording on Android
There's some evidence that Android users might be able to use their phone's screen recording feature to record the Snap without sending a notification. However, keep in mind that this doesn't work on all phones.
1. On your Android, start a screen recording. You can do this by swiping down from the top of your screen twice to open the Quick Settings page, and then selecting Screen record. If you don't see the option, try swiping right to the second page of Quick Settings, or tap the pencil icon to edit your Quick Settings page.
2. While recording, open Snapchat and view the Snap that you want to save.
3. Once you've recorded the Snap, close it and stop the screen recording.
Your recording will get saved to the Photos app, where you can watch it, share it, or even take a screenshot of your own video.
Use Google Assistant on Android
Android users also have another trick up their sleeve for taking a screenshot on Snapchat without the other person knowing: Google Assistant.
1. Open Snapchat on your Android device and view the Snap you want to save.
2. Press and hold the Home button to bring up Google Assistant, and then say, "Take a screenshot." You can also hold the phone close to your mouth and say, "Hey Google, take a screenshot."
3. Once the screenshot has been taken, a pop-up menu will appear with several sharing options – the screenshot will not be automatically saved to your device. You can share the screenshot with another app and retrieve it later.
QuickTime player on Mac
You can screen mirror your iPhone to a Mac using QuickTime while Snapchat is open on your phone. Then, while you're screen mirroring, take a screenshot on your Mac by pressing Shift + Command + 4 and selecting the portion of the window with the Snap you want to capture.
The screenshot will be saved to your Mac's desktop by default with the name Screen Shot, and the other person won't know what you did.
Screen mirroring on other devices
You can also screen mirror your iPhone with devices that are AirPlay enabled, whether it is a Mac or Samsung TV.
1. Bring up the Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top right corner on iPhone X or newer, or by swiping up from the bottom on an iPhone 8 or earlier.
2. Tap the Screen mirroring button – that's the one with the two intersecting squares.
3. In the Screen mirroring pop-up, tap on the device you want to mirror the iPhone's screen to.
4. On your iPhone, open the Snap you want to save and use other device's screenshotting or recording tools to capture it.
