By Kavita Mistry 
One of the most commonly used features on our phones is screenshots. We take numerous screenshots of the apps we use, websites we visit, etc. However, the security policies on our phones prevent screenshotting some apps, like banking apps. Some apps notify other users about screenshots when we take one.
There is a lot of confusion regarding the screenshots on social media apps on our phones. It becomes creepy and awkward when the other user is notified when we take a screenshot of something on a social media app. In this guide, we explain which apps or social media apps inform other users about the screenshots you take.
Which Social Media Apps Notify Screenshots?
If you wonder which social media apps notify of screenshots, here is detailed information on different social media apps.
Facebook and Messenger
Facebook or the Messenger app does not notify you or the other user of any screenshots when you use it normally. Even if you have enabled the disappearing messages on the Messenger app to chat with someone, it cannot prevent any screenshots.
Earlier, it used to be the Vanish mode, but Facebook discontinued the feature by enabling the Disappearing messages feature, where users can select to delete the messages automatically after some preset time. The disappearing message feature is available on Android, iPhone, iPad, and Desktop devices.
However, if a profile is locked, you cannot take a screenshot. Those screenshots are prevented with the message “Screenshots restricted for privacy and copyright“.
When you send an image or video to be viewed once, Facebook or the Messenger app prevents the screenshot altogether instead of reporting it. If the screenshots are taken using a third-party app on a PC or something, it will neither be prevented nor reported to any user. View-once feature is not available on desktops but it can be bypassed easily with Android emulators on a Windows PC.
Like Facebook, Instagram does not report any screenshots you take of profiles, posts, stories, chats, or anything related to other users. However, if you and the other user you are chatting with have enabled disappearing messages in the Instagram chat by swiping up in the chat, Instagram will report the screenshots in the chat to both users if a user has managed to take a screenshot. Otherwise, Instagram will show a “Screenshots restricted for privacy and copyright” message and prevent the user from taking a screenshot.
Normally, it is not possible to take screenshots of view-once photos or videos in the chat, but they will be reported if you manage to take a screenshot, as it defeats the view-once purpose.
If you take a screenshot of exclusive content shared by a content creator you have subscribed to, you will only get a black screen, but Instagram will not report it to anyone.
Snapchat
Snapchat is the only social media app that reports any kind of screenshots in the chat. The screenshots you take of texts, images, or anything shared with you are saved in the chat.
WhatsApp & Signal
WhatsApp does not notify any user of any screenshots. At most, the good it can do is prevent users from taking screenshots of disappearing chats, or view-once media. The users can take screenshots of anything, and record calls using third-party apps, and you never know.
Signal messaging app, on the other hand, prevents all kinds of screenshots on the app, including calls. It only prevents them when the Screen security feature in the Privacy settings of the Signal messenger is enabled.
The feature is enabled by default. In case you have disabled it, your chats can be screen-grabbed, and you cannot prevent it.
Telegram
Telegram prevents screenshots of its secret chats, disappearing messages, and view-once media. iOS users can take screenshots, which will notify the other user. Except for that, users will not get any kind of screenshot notifications on Telegram, including shared media or calls.
X (formerly Twitter)
X (formerly Twitter) does not notify users of any screenshots. Most of the direct messages are not properly encrypted, to begin with. You can screenshot tweets, chats, or calls and the other users will never know unless you tell them.
Screenshot Notifications on Social Media Apps
Taking screenshots of profiles, posts, or something related to our friends or family on social media is common. However, there needs to be some security measures that prevent users from being exploited or taken advantage of. Snapchat notifies all screenshots. If you want to know if other people are taking screenshots, you can definitely use Snapchat, the Signal messaging app, or the disappearing messages feature on Instagram and Messenger apps.