Snapchat has two different timers. The camera timer counts down before your phone takes the snap, so you can film hands-free: open the camera, open the right-side tools, tap the clock icon and pick a countdown. The view timer decides how long a friend can look at a photo snap: take the photo, tap the stopwatch icon and choose a number of seconds or infinity.
Most people who search for how to set timer on snapchat mean one of those two, and the app keeps them in different places, which is why it's easy to hunt for the wrong one. I'll take both in turn, then the timers that apply to chat messages, then what a timer can't do for you.
One note before the steps. Snapchat moves icons around from time to time. If an icon looks different from my description, open the right-hand toolbar and look through the tools, or search Snapchat's settings for the word timer.
Which timer do you want?
| Timer | Where it lives | What it does | Handy for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera countdown | Camera screen, right-side tools, clock icon | Waits before the snap is taken or recording starts | Group photos, a propped-up phone, cooking or craft videos |
| Photo view timer | Preview screen after a photo, stopwatch icon | Sets how long your friend sees the photo | A quick reaction, or a snap you want them to study |
| Chat timer | Chat settings, Delete Chats | Decides when chat messages disappear | Keeping a conversation tidy and private |
The three get mixed up because they all use the word timer. The first happens before you snap, the second happens after you snap but before you send, and the third happens after your friend has read the message.
How to set the camera countdown timer
- Open Snapchat. It opens on the camera.
- Look at the toolbar down the right edge. If you only see a few icons, tap the small down arrow to show more tools.
- Tap the clock icon. That's the timer.
- Choose one of the countdown options the app shows. The choices depend on your version.
- Prop your phone up, get into position, then tap the capture button once. The countdown runs and the snap is taken for you.
The countdown is the part that makes hands-free snaps possible. It's what I'd use for a group photo where nobody wants to hold the phone, or for filming a short how-to while both of your hands are busy.
A few small things make the result better. Lean the phone against something steady, like a stack of books or a mug. Switch to the front camera if you want to see yourself while you line up the shot. Do a test run first, because the countdown always feels shorter than you expect. And if the shot is a video, remember the countdown finishes before recording begins, so wait until you hear or see it start.
How to set how long a photo snap stays on screen
- Take a photo snap in the normal way.
- On the preview screen, find the stopwatch icon on the right-hand toolbar and tap it.
- Pick how long your friend can see the photo. You'll be offered a choice of seconds, or infinity.
- Add any text, stickers or drawing you like, then send it.
Short timers suit a quick reaction, like a photo of your lunch or your view from the bus. Infinity suits something your friend needs time to take in, such as a photo with writing on it, a whiteboard, or a set of directions. With infinity, your friend can look until they close the snap themselves.
The view timer is mainly for photo snaps. A video snap plays for its own length, so if you want to control how a video behaves, use the options on the preview screen rather than expecting a stopwatch.
Timers for chat messages
Chat messages have their own rule. Instead of a stopwatch, Snapchat gives you a setting for when the conversation clears itself.
- Open the Chat tab and open the conversation.
- Tap your friend's name at the top of the screen.
- Find Delete Chats.
- Choose After Viewing, or 24 Hours after Viewing.
After Viewing clears messages once they've been seen. The 24 hour option keeps them around for a day after they're seen, which is useful when you want your friend to be able to scroll back and find the address or the time you sent. The wording can differ in your version, so if you can't see Delete Chats, search the settings for the word chat or delete.
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If you only want to remove one message you've already sent, that's a different job, and I've covered how to delete messages on Snapchat in a separate guide.
Memories and what timers don't do
It's worth being clear about the limits, because a timer sounds more protective than it really can be.
- A timer doesn't stop someone taking a screenshot. Snapchat tries to notify you when it happens, but it's not a guarantee.
- A timer doesn't stop someone pointing another phone at the screen.
- The view timer only controls what your friend sees. Saving your own snap to Memories is a separate choice, and it stays there until you delete it.
- Friends can sometimes replay a snap. I've explained whether Snapchat tells you when someone replays a snap if that's something you worry about.
If what you really want is control over who sees a snap at all, the timer is the wrong tool. Choosing your audience matters more, and a private Story lets you decide exactly who is on the list before anything goes up.
So the simple rule is this. Use the camera countdown to take better snaps, use the stopwatch to control the viewing time of a photo, and use Delete Chats to keep conversations tidy. None of them replace thinking about what you send.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set a timer on a Snapchat video?
The camera countdown timer works for video, because it runs before recording starts, so you can film hands-free. The view timer with the stopwatch icon is mainly for photo snaps, while a video snap plays for its own length.
Why can't I find the timer icon on Snapchat?
Open the camera, then look at the toolbar on the right. If only a few icons show, tap the small down arrow to reveal the rest. If the clock still isn't there, update the app, or search Snapchat's settings for the word timer, because icons move between versions.
Does Snapchat tell me if someone screenshots my snap?
Snapchat tries to notify you when someone takes a screenshot, but a timer doesn't stop it, and another phone can always photograph the screen. Only send what you'd be comfortable seeing shared.
How do I make Snapchat messages disappear after a set time?
Open the chat, tap your friend's name, find Delete Chats and choose After Viewing or 24 Hours after Viewing. The wording can differ slightly in your version of the app.
