This article shows you how to use Snapchat's "My Story" feature to create snaps (videos or photos) that can be viewed freely for 24 hours. When you add a new snap to the "My Story" section, friends and all authorized users can view its content an unlimited number of times, within 24 hours of publication.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating a Snap
Step 1. Launch the Snapchat app
You will be automatically redirected to the main screen, the one where the view taken by the device's camera is shown, from which it will be possible to create a new snap.
Step 2. Create a snap
Tap the circular button (the larger of the two) located in the center of the bottom of the screen. This way, you will take a snapshot that will become the subject of the snap. Alternatively, you can hold down the button under review to create a video up to 10 seconds long.
- To edit the created snap by adding one or more "Lenses" effects, tap anywhere on the screen before creating the snap. At this point, scroll the list of available "Lenses", left or right, in order to have a preview of what will be the final result of the chosen graphic effect.
- Normal snaps can be viewed only once, which become two if you use the "Replay" feature, which allows you to view a snap you have just seen again, by holding it down with your finger.
- You can add both a video snap and an image to the "My Story" section. In this case, the content can be viewed by all authorized users for an unlimited number of times, but for a maximum period of 24 hours after publication, after which it will be automatically deleted.
Step 3. Set the Snap "Timer"
This option indicates how long the snap will be displayed before the next snap in the "My Story" section is automatically played. The default is 3 seconds. Tap the "Timer" icon at the bottom left of the screen to change this parameter.
Step 4. Add stickers, text, designs and filters (optional step)
If you wish, you can enrich your snap by adding a small text message. To do this, tap the "T" icon, then use the virtual keyboard of the device to write the desired message. Use the scissors icon to create a custom sticker. Use the index finger of your dominant hand to cut out an area of the image to use as a sticker, which you can place anywhere on the screen. Tap the "post-it" icon to select one of the many predefined stickers, emojis and Bitmoji that Snapchat offers. The pencil icon allows you to draw whatever you want on the snap under review. Alternatively, swipe the screen left or right to view all available visual effects in a continuous loop.
Step 5. Tap the History icon
It is located in the lower left part of the screen and is characterized by a square with a small "+" placed in the upper left corner.
- Alternatively, you can press the blue button "Send to", located in the lower right corner of the screen, and choose the "My Story" option. This second method allows you to send the snap to your friends and publish it at the same time in the "My Story" section.
- When you choose to select individual recipients, remember that they will only receive the current snap and not all those still available for viewing on the "My Story" page.
Step 6. Press the Add button
If you are near an area that allows users to post snaps within the "My Story" section of their Snapchat account, such as a university, you will find its name under the option "My story" that you can select as the recipient of your post.
Step 7. Press the Submit button
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen. The newly created snap or video will be added to the "My Story" section (as well as any public "Stories" you have chosen to post your post to) and will be available for viewing for the next 24 hours.
If this is the first snap you add to the "My Story" section, you will be asked to enable the Snapchat app's use of location services and you will be informed that the posted content will be visible for 24 hours. When using the "My Story" feature, you need to turn on your device's location services because every snap you add is automatically tagged with your current location
Part 2 of 3: View and Edit "My Story"
Step 1. Swipe your finger on the screen to the left while the camera view of the device is shown on the screen (this is the main screen of the Snapchat application)
This way, you will be automatically redirected to the page "Stories".
Step 2. Press the ⋮ button next to "My Story" to view the snaps currently published in this section
The list of snaps is sorted chronologically by publication date, so at the top of the list you'll find the most recent messages.
Step 3. Select a snap by tapping it with your finger
This way, you will be able to know how many people it has been viewed by and how many users have stored it on their devices by taking a screenshot. Tap the trash can icon to delete the current snap from your "Story".
- The snaps in the "My Story" section can only be deleted individually.
- Touch the "Save" icon characterized by a small arrow pointing downwards inserted in a square, located in the lower right part of the screen, to save a copy of the snap under examination in the internal memory of the device.
Step 4. Consult your friends' Stories
To do this, simply select one of the Stories listed on the "Stories" page, exactly under "My Story". Stories with recently published snaps will appear at the top of the list.
Part 3 of 3: Configure Your Story Privacy Settings
Step 1. Swipe your finger across the screen to the left while the camera view of the device is displayed on the screen
This way you will be automatically redirected to the page "Stories".
By default, your "Story" is accessible to all users you have become friends with. If you wish, you can change this option directly from the menu "Settings".
Step 2. Tap the ⚙️ icon next to "My Story"
This way, you will see who is currently able to view the content of your "Story".
Step 3. Change the privacy level
Choose the "Anyone" option to make your "Story" public. Choose "My Friends" if you want only people listed in the "My friends" section to have access to your "Story". Finally, choose the "Customize" option, to select which of your friends will not be able to access your "Story".
