Snapchat, the ephemeral multimedia messaging platform, has taken the world by storm since its launch in 2011.
Its unique selling proposition of self-destructing messages and stories made it a hit among millennials and Gen Z. But like with most digital platforms, there can be moments of regret or second thoughts.
You’ve clicked on a story, you’ve seen a bit, but you wish you hadn’t. The big question now is: How to unview a story on Snapchat?
Let’s delve deep into this topic, demystify the process, and learn from experiences of avid Snapchat users.
Why Would You Want to Unview a Story on Snapchat?
Before we get to the how-to, let’s explore the reasons behind wanting to unview a Snapchat story.
Avoiding Digital Footprints
In the era of digital connectivity, we’re always leaving traces. Viewing someone’s story can sometimes be perceived as prying or being too intrusive, especially if it’s an ex or a person you’ve had disagreements with.
By unviewing a story, you’re trying to retract that digital footprint.
The Accidental Click
We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through your Snapchat feed, and you accidentally click on a story you had no intention of watching.
Rather than continue watching, you’d prefer it to appear as if you never saw it.
Pure Curiosity
Let’s admit it; sometimes, we’re just curious. We click on a story, realize halfway it’s not as interesting as we thought, and wish to revert our view.
How to Unview a Story on Snapchat: The Steps
Alright, let’s get to the crux of the matter. Here’s a step-by-step guide on the elusive task of unviewing a Snapchat story:
- Immediately Close the App: The moment you realize you want to unview a story, the first action should be to close the Snapchat app. Don’t click on any other stories. Just close it.
- Clear the Snapchat Cache: Go to the Snapchat settings by clicking on your profile icon > the gear icon (Settings) > Clear Cache > Clear All. This clears the temporary data stored by the app.
- Turn Off Internet Connectivity: Whether you’re on Wi-Fi or mobile data, turn it off. This is to ensure that when you reopen Snapchat, it doesn’t immediately sync your actions with the server.
- Reopen Snapchat: With your internet connectivity still turned off, reopen the app. Navigate to the story section and find the story you want to unview.
- Delete and Reinstall Snapchat: If you’re not convinced with the previous steps, you can take the nuclear option – delete the app entirely and then reinstall it. Just ensure you know your login details to get back in!
Remember, Snapchat is designed to notify users when their stories have been viewed.
While the steps above can help you attempt to unview a story, there’s no guarantee the user won’t receive a notification. It’s always a game of speed and luck.
Other Tips and Tricks with Snapchat Stories
View Stories Anonymously
Did you know you can view Snapchat stories without letting the user know? Here’s how:
- Load all the stories by opening your Snapchat while being connected to the internet.
- Turn off your Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Watch the stories. Since you’re offline, the views won’t register immediately.
- Close the app, clear the cache, and then turn your internet back on.
Muting Stories
If there’s a particular user whose stories you’re not interested in but don’t want to unfriend, you can mute their stories.
This way, their updates won’t show up in your feed, reducing the chances of accidental clicks.
In Conclusion
Snapchat is a fantastic platform that offers a myriad of features, and while the very essence of the app is ephemerality, sometimes we wish to make our actions even more ephemeral by trying to unview stories.
While the above methods might help, it’s essential to remember that in the digital world, absolute invisibility is tricky. The best way forward? Scroll carefully and think twice before you click.