At long last, Snapchat has finally provided a way to save Snaps in chat. Revealed in March of 2021, the newest Snapchat update has introduced a feature where certain photos and videos can be saved directly into the conversation window. Here’s how to save Snaps in chat without having to use screen recorders or take a screenshot.
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.
There is one notable catch here: Not every Snap can be saved to chat. Only photo Snaps with no set time limit or video snaps set to an infinite loop can be saved. If the photo or video has a finite timer, it cannot be saved without taking a screenshot or using screen recording software. Fortunately, if you decide you don’t want the message to remain in chat forever, you can also delete it directly from the conversation window.
No timers allowed
This all-new function may come as a surprise to longtime Snapchat users. Following the March 2021 update, the app displays a warning message saying that “Photo or video snaps with a timer set to no limit may be saved in Chat by friends.” For some, this may seem to go against the idea of ephemeral messaging, where photos and videos disappear forever after being opened.
Still, many users like to save and share their creations. Before, they’d have to take a Snap, save it to their own camera roll, and then send it through chat for the other person to save. This new feature effectively cuts out the extra steps, allowing Snaps to be saved in chat without having to take up valuable storage space on your mobile device.
Again, the only catch is that the Snap cannot have a timer set on it. If you intend for your photo or video to be saved by the recipient, be sure to set an infinite timer or repeating loop before sending. It’s also worth remembering that only videos less than 10 seconds in length can be set to an infinite loop. As it so happens, this ten-second limitation also applies to the reverse video filter and the ability to slow down Snapchat videos.
If you want to save a Snap in Snapchat following the March 2021 update, simply press and hold on the screen, then choose the option to save in chat. Alternatively, you can access the save function by long-pressing on the Snap within the chat window itself, same as you would to replay the photo or video.
