How to Screen Record Snapchat Without Them Knowing

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Edited by Ben Jacklin
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Taking a screenshot or recording of Snapchat is easy, but it can be embarrassing when the sender asks you why you’re saving their content. Here are a few ways to screen-record Snapchat videos and pictures discreetly.

Method

Description

Load Snapchat and then turn off your phone’s ability to send and receive signals

Load Snapchat and then disconnect your phone from the Internet, but make sure that cellular data is not turned on for Snapchat before you start recording

Newer iOS and Android OS versions come with built-in screen recorders

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Of all the methods we’ve tried for screen recording Snapchat, this is our preferred method for capturing content on PCs and Macs. Movavi Screen Recorder is an easy-to-use application that allows users to record their screens, add annotations and make edits to the final video – all in one program. This method gives you the power to make a Snapchat screen recording without sending a notification to the person who sent the snap. This tool also lets you record from your webcam at the same time, and you can add effects and annotations as well.

The best methods for screen recording Snapchat Stories and Snaps

Turn on airplane mode on your phone

Best for: Taking a quick screenshot to save Snapchats without sending a notification

When you enable airplane mode on your phone, you cut it off from sending or receiving cellular or Wi-Fi signals. This will prevent Snapchat from sending a notification that you’ve taken a screenshot or recorded a video. To do it, you’ll first need to open Snapchat, refresh your feed and navigate to the story or snap you want to record. Then, go to Settings and turn airplane mode on. Use your preferred screen recorder (or the built-in recorder on your phone) to start recording your screen. Navigate back to Snapchat and play the video you want to record. You can then stop recording, save your video and turn airplane mode off again. 

Turn off your phone’s Wi-Fi to disconnect from the Internet

Best for: Recording a Snapchat Story when you’re not connected to cellular data

Similar to airplane mode, turning off your phone’s Wi-Fi connection will disconnect your phone from the Internet. However, it won’t disconnect you from cellular data. So, before you use this method, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t have cellular data enabled for Snapchat. After you do that, you can proceed to screen-record a Snapchat story the same way you would in airplane mode.

Use a built-in screen recorder on your phone

Best for: Recording a Snapchat Story without downloading a Snapchat screen recorder

Many newer iPhones and Android phones come with built-in screen recorders. If it has one, you can use your phone’s native screen recorder to record someone’s videos or to capture a chat conversation. However, if you do this without turning on airplane mode or disconnecting from the internet first, Snapchat will still send a notification that you’ve taken a screenshot of the person’s video or image.

Use a third-party screen recorder app

Best for: Recording Snaps and Snapchat Stories without sending a notification

Using a third-party app is a good way to learn how to screen-record a snap without them knowing. There are a lot of apps available that are designed specifically to help with this, but many of them include malware or will sell your private information. Make sure you use a reputable app to record your screen.

Mirror your phone to a PC

Best for: Creating high-quality videos from Snaps without letting the creator know

Mirroring your phone to your PC is a great way to figure out how to save a Snap without them knowing. With this method, you’ll need to download a screen-mirroring app on your phone and follow a few simple instructions to mirror your phone’s display to your computer. Then, you’ll just need to use a screen recorder for a PC or Mac (like Movavi Screen Recorder) to record your computer’s screen and capture the video you want from Snapchat.

Use another phone to record the snap

Best for: Taking a lower-quality video of a Snap or Snapchat Story

This method will ensure that Snapchat doesn’t send a notification to the person who created the video, but it’s not the most professional way to do it. Essentially, with this method, you’ll play the Story or Snap that you want to record on one phone while recording it with another phone. If you just want to save the video for yourself, this will likely work, but the final recorded video is likely to have low-quality visual and audio content.

Create a dummy Snapchat account

Best for: Recording a Snap without it showing your identity

For this method, you’ll create a fake Snapchat account and record Snapchat Stories while logged into it. Snapchat will notify the user(s) that someone has recorded their content, but it won’t identify you as the person doing the recording. It should be noted that this method only works if the Snapchat Stories you want to record are public, or if the user grants you access to their feed.

Inbuilt iOS recording feature
4.3/5

How to use the Snapchat screen recording app for Android

Here’s how to screen-record Snapchat without them knowing on Android devices:

  1. Download Mobizen from Google Play.
    Download Mobizen

  2. Open the app, and you’ll see the recording widget on your phone’s screen. 

  3. Open Snapchat.

  4. Start recording your screen by tapping Mobizen’s Record button (it should look like an air-circle).

  5. Play the Snap or Story that you want to record.

  6. Tap the Record button again to stop recording.

How to screen record a Snapchat Story on an iPhone

  1. On an iOS 14 or later phone, go to Settings and select Control Center.

  2. Scroll down to Screen Recording and tap the + Add button.

  3. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen.

  4. Tap the Record icon (gray circle) to start recording your screen.

  5. Go to Snapchat and record the Story or Snap you want.

  6. Open Control Center again and tap the Record icon (red circle) again to stop recording.

  7. Your screen recording will be automatically saved in your Photos app.

How to screen record a Snap without them knowing on a PC/Mac

Step 1. Download Movavi Screen Recorder

Download and follow the installation instructions for Movavi Screen Recorder. Then, launch the program on your desktop.

Step 2. Launch Snapchat on your computer

You can get Snapchat Stories on your desktop by either mirroring your phone’s screen to your computer or going to www.snapchat.com on your desktop.

Step 3. Choose what you want to record

Movavi Screen Recorder allows you to record your full screen, a single window or application, or a selected part of the screen. Click Start recording and choose what you want to record before you get started.

Step 4. Start recording

Click the REC button to get started.

Step 5. Finish recording and edit your video

When you’re done, click the Stop button to stop recording. You can now make a few basic edits (like trimming) to your video before you export and save it. When you’re ready, just click Export and then Save, and you’ll be all set.

Tips on recording Snapchat

  • If you want to stay anonymous while recording Snapchat, turn your phone to an airplane mode so that data cannot be sent on Snapchat and disconnect from your wireless network.
  • Mirroring to a PC is the easiest way to record Snapchat anonymously, as Snapchat cannot track whether you are recording or not and doesn’t notify the account holder. Software like Movavi Screen Recorder can help you to make recordings easily without Snapchat knowing that you are recording.
  • You can use the inbuilt screen recorder if you don’t mind the person being alerted. It is safest to use your device’s screen-recording function if you know the person doesn’t mind you recording.
  • Use software with an editing function. This allows you to trim the recording and only access the relevant Snapchat story. It can also give you more options and controls for the appearance of the video.

Choosing the best screen recorder for Snapchat

Here are a few tips to help you choose the best way to record Snapchat and other social media videos for your purposes:

  • Video and audio quality: Do you need a high-quality export for your final video? If that’s the case, you won’t want to record your phone’s screen with another phone.

  • Secrecy: How important is it that the other person doesn’t know that you’ve recorded your phone? A method like mirroring your phone and recording with Movavi Screen Recorder might be the best option for you.

  • Features and utility: Will you be editing your videos after you record them? Consider the functionality and features that you’ll need to use – and if you should consider a solution that does it all.

If you’re still not sure which way to go, we recommend trying out Movavi Screen Recorder’s free trial download to see if you like using it for your Snapchat recordings.

Summary

So, can you screen-record Snapchat videos with any of the methods we’ve discussed here? Yes, but not all of them allow you to do it secretly. Further, some of these methods will produce higher quality videos, while others require multiple devices to get the job done. Some of the ways to record Snapchat are tricky in use, whereas others are quite straightforward. Movavi Screen Recorder is one user-friendly tool that allows you to capture pretty much anything (no one will even detect screen recording). You can try it out for free!

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it illegal to screen-record a Snapchat Snap?

Does Snapchat let users take a screen recording without notifying the creator?

Does Snapchat notify users of screen recording?

Does Snapchat send notifications when you take a screenshot?

Can you screen-record Snapchat?

Can you screen-record on Snapchat without someone knowing?

How do I screen-record a private Snapchat story without them knowing?

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