How to Send a Snapchat Without a Photo

Create and share text-only Snaps in chats and Stories

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: May 30, 2022

While you could just cover your camera while taking a snap and then add a caption, there are a couple of other ways you can send Snapchats without a photo! Text snaps--also known as "chats"--can be sent from the Chat page, or you can add a chat to a user's story on the Stories page and send it to them as a direct message. While chats don't have a viewing time limit the way that picture snaps do, they disappear after both parties have read the chat text.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Sending a Chat from the Chat Page

1
Tap the Snapchat app to open Snapchat. Snapchat should open directly to the camera interface.
2
Swipe right. This will bring up the Chat page; you'll find all of your recent conversations here in chronological order.

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3
Swipe right on a contact's name. This will open a chat window with that specific contact.^{[1]
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- There is no way to group chat on Snapchat.
4
Type a message in the "Send a chat" field. From here, you can also attach a picture, call or video call your recipient, or attach a Bitmoji if you have the service installed on your phone.
- Your recipient will receive a notification that says "[Your name] is typing..." when you begin typing, and another notification when you send your chat.
5
Tap "Send" when you're done. This will send your chat. Your chat will show up on the "Chat" page as a blue arrow; when your recipient opens it, the blue arrow will become hollow.
- Unless you or your recipient tap and hold the chat text to save it, Snapchat chats disappear entirely once both parties have read the chat.^{[2]
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  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Sending a Chat from the Stories Page

1
Tap the Snapchat app to open Snapchat. Snapchat should open directly to the camera interface.
2
Swipe left. This will take you to the Stories page, where all of your contacts' stories are arranged in order from newest to oldest.
3
Tap a story to open it. You should see a "Chat" option toward the bottom of the screen.
4
Tap the "Chat" arrow at the bottom of the screen. Tapping the "Chat" button will freeze the story in place, so don't worry about running out of time.
5
Type a message in the "Send a chat" field. This will overlay the story image with your text.
6
Tap "Send" when you're done. This chat will show up on the "Chat" page as a blue arrow; when your recipient opens it, the blue arrow will become hollow.