Snapchat sends read receipts to notify the sender that their message has been read. However, this feature can be bypassed. Explanation.
Like most instant messaging apps, Snapchat lets the other person know when you’re reading a message, and vice versa. This means that the second you open a snap, you may feel some pressure to respond, even if you don’t know what to say. However, it may be good practice to take the time to think about your answer. The option to not send this read receipt might be interesting.
If this feature can be controlled, as is the case with iMessage, that’s great, but it’s a very rare exception. In most cases, it cannot be disabled. However, there are two workarounds to not send read receipts on Snapchat.
The best way to read a Snap without sending a read receipt
The best way to read a snap unfortunately only works for text messages. This is not possible with video messages or images, although there is always a way to check their messages without immediately alerting the other. However, this method is simply better because it allows you to read messages from your loved ones without them knowing; while the second method only gives you temporary respite, this one allows you to read messages for as long as you want without notifying the sender.
To get started, open Snapchat and browse the list of chats, or tap the chats icon at the bottom of the screen. Click only on the chat you want to open. Instead, slowly swipe right on the conversation, starting with the sender’s avatar. If you swipe anywhere else in the chat, you will only be taken to the map. A swipe from the avatar opens a dialogue. Swipe enough to read the message, but not completely. Until you finish swiping to the right, Snapchat will not consider the message as read, giving you the option to read it as many times as you want.
How to delay sending read receipts for all snapshots
There is a workaround to view all snapshots without telling them, but this is a temporary workaround. When you get a new photo, switch your phone to airplane mode to make sure both Wi-Fi and data are turned off. Even if you are not logged in, you will be able to read the snapshot because it is saved in the app.
And because you’re not signed in, Snapchat, which is currently tightening parental controls, can’t alert the sender that you’ve read their message. Of course, the application will do this as soon as it has the opportunity. Simply put, if you want to put something off for as long as possible, log out of Snapchat using the app switcher on your phone before turning off Airplane Mode. Your phone will reconnect to the internet, but since Snapchat is completely deleted from the phone’s storage, no read receipt will be sent.
Take your time to reply, but keep in mind that the next time you open the app, it will notify the sender that you’ve read the message.