Snapchat is well known for vanishing messages and real time alerts, but sometimes, you need a bit more privacy, to respond to them. Learning how to half swipe on Snapchat is the number one secret for people who want to preview a message without sending a read receipt. This is a very clever trick which can give you a chance to peek at incoming texts whilst still leaving the “Delivered” status intact for the sender.
In this guide, we shall help to demystify the half swipe technique and share tips and pro practice hacks to help you to master half swiping to perfection.
What is a half swipe on snapchat?
A half swipe on Snapchat is a subtle action that helps users preview a message without opening up the chat.
It involves, essentially, sliding the chat screen open just enough so that you can read the text. When done correctly, the message text is visible, but the chat will not register as checked.
This means that Snapchat will not mark the message as “opened.” Or send a “read” receipt to the sender as they normally would once you click on a message.
Therefore, by learning how to half-swipe Snapchat, you will be able to quickly browse your inbox without anyone knowing you even saw their snaps.
While the feature is not officially marked by Snapchat, it has become a widely known user technique.
Why do people half-swipe on Snapchat
People resort to the half swipe on Snapchat for many different practical and social reasons. Some of the most common motivations include
- Not ready to reply yet. Many users would like time to think of a considerate response or may not be feeling like chatting right away. Half swiping allows them to read the message and make their decision later without pressure.
- Avoiding awkwardness and/or confrontation. It helps to avoid potentially uncomfortable conversations such as avoiding an ex, a dramatic friend, or an unwanted advance, while still being able to satisfy the curiosity.
- Managing social energy. Such a trick creates breathing space. You’re able to catch up with chats even when you are not feeling up to it, tired, or overwhelmed.
- Curiosity without commitment. Perfect to peep at a crush’s message, group chat drama or a surprise text and understand its importance before interacting.
- Preventing “left on opened” drama. Opening a message leads to the expectation of prompt response. Half swiping helps avoid that social tension.
How to half swipe on Snapchat remains a go to for privacy control. Essentially, it takes a high-pressure real-time environment, and makes it more relaxed.
While this isn’t an officially supported feature in Snapchat, it’s a much loved “ghost” feature for a lot of people.
Use Snapchat parental controls to track your teens Snapchat status.
How to half swipe on Snapchat
Mastery of how to half-swipe on snapchat demands a very gentle touch, and steady fingers.
This technique permits you to be able to peak into a conversation without the app registering it as “Opened.”
Since this is not an actual feature, it is important to strictly follow the steps so as not to unintentionally tip off the sender.
1. Open Snapchat and tap on the Chat icon (the speech bubble) at the bottom navigation bar. You will see your list of conversations.
2. Find the message that you do not want to read yet. Look for the blue “New Chat” or the grey “Delivered” status.
3. Gently place your finger on the Bitmoji/Profile Icon of the person that sent the message. Do not tap on their name as a quick tap will open the chat fully.
4. Still holding down your finger firmly on the screen, try to swipe slowly towards the right. You will notice that the chat window slides over revealing the text inside.
5. Continue to hold your finger on the screen when you are reading. It is possible to slide almost to the edge of the phone. But leave a little bit of space so the window doesn’t “snap” open.
6. After you have completed reading, slide your finger back to the Left until the chat window stops showing.
7. Only remove your finger from the screen when screen has returned to main Chat list
If successful, you will have managed to half swipe. The chat will still continue to display “New Chat,” or “Delivered” (not “Opened”), and will never send the read receipt.
However, this technique only works for text messages. You cannot half swipe to see photos or videos (Snaps).
Why is half swiping controversial?
While knowing how to half swipe on Snapchat is a popular skill, it is often a source of debate amongst Snapchat users on digital etiquettes.
Half swiping is important as a useful tool to offer privacy. However, many see it as a violation of the “openness” around which the platform was built.
The controversy arises from the concept of transparency. Snapchat was designed around the imitation of a real life interaction, where you know if someone has seen your message.
Therefore critics fault this technique claiming it leads to.
- Misleading intent. Using this trick can be considered dishonest. It keeps you informed while letting the sender assume that you must be busy or have not checked your phone.
- Social anxiety. For the sender, having a message sitting for hours on “Delivered” can be stressful. It creates a “guessing game” on the true interest or availability of the recipient.
- Relationship tension. In the context of a dating or close friendships, half swiping is usually considered to be a “red flag.” It implies the desire to not be held accountable or to “lurk” and not contribute to the conversation.
So, Is It “Wrong” to use half swiping? Context is important when determining whether this maneuver is appropriate or not. Many argue users have a right of digital boundaries. If someone needs time to make sense out of a difficult message, half swiping is a blanket over the pressure of instant replies.
However, in professional or high-trust relationships, depending on it too much will destroy trust and make communication feel one-sided.
Is it possible to get caught when half swiping?
While mastering how to half swipe on Snapchat gives a feeling of privacy, it isn’t a foolproof method.
There are a number of ways in which you can get “caught” in the act, ranging from basic finger slips to sophisticated app features to catch lurkers.
However, the greatest danger is purely physical. This is because this gesture requires you to keep contact with the glass. Any lapse in focus may disclose your activity.
- The accidental release. If your finger slips or you lift it before swiping all the way back, then the chat will snap open. As soon as this happens, the “Opened” status is triggered immediately.
- The over-swipe. Swiping too far to the right may lock the chat in an open position. Once the window passes certain threshold, the app registers it as full view.
- Screenshot blunders. If you choose to take a screenshot as you are half-swiping, Snapchat will send a notification to the sender. This is a dead give away that you were peeking.
In addition, in recent updates, Snapchat also introduced a direct counter-measure for its premium subscribers.
If the person you are messaging has Snapchat+, they can turn on a feature called “Peek a Peek.”
If they check their chat list while you are half-swiping, next to your name, there will be a little set of eyes. This reveals to them exactly what you are doing in real-time.
In turn, this may have great social consequences. If someone figures out that you are very often half-swiping, it can result in a deficit of trust.
It could be taken as “ghosting” or as being intentionally avoidant.
In close relationships this can lead to more drama than just leaving a message on “Delivered” until you are actually ready to talk.
Tips for using snapchat safely
Staying safe in Snapchat is just as important as knowing how to half swipe on Snapchat for privacy.
While the app does have lots of in-built protections, using third-party tools and smart behaviours can make the user’s experience a much safer one, especially for younger users.
Optimize privacy settings
The first line of defence is controlling the people that can get to you.
- Enable Ghost mode. This hides the user’s location on Snap Map in real-time and other users cannot see where exactly is your location.
- Limit contact. Make your “Contact Me” and “View My Story” options “My Friends” only. This prevents random strangers from sending you uncalled for Snaps.
- Two factor authentication (2FA). Protect your account from being hacked by requiring a code from your phone for logging-in.
- Report and block. Use the inbuilt report tools straight away if you encounter harassment or inappropriate content.
Teach about digital etiquette
Teach critical thinking skills concerning online interactions and content sharing online. Children should question suspicious messages and/or friend requests in addition to being proactive.
Discuss the permanence of digital content in spite of “disappearing” features. Screenshots can capture anything that is shared on the platform indefinitely.
Establish open communication channels
Establish communication channels that are open for children to share their Snapchat experiences. Create judgement free environments where they will feel they can share concerns
Regular check-ins help to identify problems early on before negative situations become any worse. Trust is built if children have the awareness that you are supportive rather than punitive.
Useparental controls
While Snapchat does have a built-in “Family Center,” a number of parents have found third-party tools are more comprehensive in protecting their children. One such solution is FlashGet Kids, which is a powerful parental control tool that will give you much more in-depth knowledge of the way your kid is using the app. It is a sort of digital bodyguard that will help you guide your child to healthy habits. Some of the key features of FlashGet kids includes.
- App notifications. You can sync incoming Snapchat notifications and see what your child’s friends are sending to him or her. This helps stay in the loop on his or her social interactions.
- Social app detection. Detects and warns you about the usage of social apps and scans for sensitive content.
- Daily usage. Produces detailed reports relating to the patterns of app use to help parents establish healthy limits and impose screentime boundaries.
By combining these parental controls with open up communication, you can create a more secure digital environment for your child.
Conclusion
Understanding how to half-swipe on Snapchat will give you control of your digital privacy and also timing of communication.
This technique allows for message previews without receiving read receipts and notifications. However, it is accompanied by ethical problems about honesty and transparency in relationships.
The gesture needs to be rehearsed, or you run the risk of being caught accidentally by mistakes.
While half-swiping does offer people some temporary autonomy, this shouldn’t replace healthy communication boundaries with friends.
