I remember when Snapchat launched Snap Map a few years ago – it was such an exciting update. Finally, my friends and I could not only see each other’s Snaps but also view each other’s real-time locations directly within the app. Scrolling around the map and seeing the little icons of my buddies scattered all over the city was so cool. Snap Map totally changed the game for me – I felt so connected, knowing what neighborhoods my pals were hanging out in. It made keeping up with everyone so much easier than before. Snapchat really enhanced the social experience with that new feature. So, do you know how Snap Map works? And what is it used for?
Answer:
Snap Map works by using your phone’s GPS sensor to display your location to your friends on Snapchat. It updates your location every time you open the Snapchat app. You and your friends are shown as customizable “Actionmoji” figures on the map based on your current activity. Users can choose to share their location publicly or with select friends only. The map allows you to view friend’s stories by tapping on glowing areas that show popular spots.
In this article, I have answered these simple questions as well as some other things you need to know about Snap Maps. Read the article below to learn more about Snap Map.
How To Get Access To Snap Maps?
To open the Snap Map, go to Snapchat’s camera screen. Then, pinch into your screen as if you’re zooming out of a photo. Now, the Snap Map opens.
If you’re opening the Snap Map for the first time, you’ll see a welcome screen and guidelines on how to use the feature. Then, you will be able to customize your updates. You can choose to share your location with all your friends, or only certain friends, or with no one. You can also change this choice later through the app’s settings.
Now, let’s see how the Snap map works so that it will be easier for you to share your location.
Also Read: How To Send A Snap To Everyone At Once?
How Does Snap Map Work?
Snap Map works similarly to Google Maps or Apple Maps. It uses your phone’s GPS sensor to display your location to your friends on Snapchat. Here, you can choose whether to show your location to others or not and also choose a few friends to whom you want to view your location on the map.
Snap Map does not track you on a real-time basis. It updates your location every time you open your Snapchat. But you will probably disappear from the map if you don’t open the app for quite a few hours.
You and your friends are shown as an ‘Actionmoji’ on the map. An Actionmoji is your personalized avatar, which you can create through Snapchat’s Bitmoji app. These figures are displayed based on what the person is currently doing at the moment.
You can submit your stories on Our Story’, and then it will be visible on the Snap Map. You can also view your friend’s stories through Snap Map by simply tapping on the glowing areas on the map.
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Is It Possible To Login Snap Map Through The Web Without Being On Snapchat?
Yes, Snapchat has made it possible for its users to access the Snap Map without actually logging in to their respective accounts. You can open Snap Map through your desktop’s web browser with ease. However, the desktop version will display things a bit differently on the map than the actual app does.
You won’t be able to see your friends and their respective Actionmojis on the map. As it doesn’t require a login, this version is more like a public place. Hence, you will be able to view public stories submitted from specific locations. Most of the stories are displayed through heat maps.
Also Read: How To Create And Share Snaps As My Story Or Our Story On Snapchat?
How Do We Update Snap Maps?
Basically, your location on Snap Map is updated every time you’re using Snapchat. Your Actionmoji will be displayed according to what you’re doing at the moment, i.e., if you’re listening to music, driving somewhere, sitting on a bench, etc.
Also Read: How To Create And Share Snaps As My Story Or Our Story On Snapchat?
Is Snap Map Accurate?
Yes, Snap Maps are almost accurate. Since the app works based on the last time you were logged in, it shows your current activity or location on the map. With this said, you can promptly believe anyone’s current location is shown on the map.
However, in some cases, your location can be shown as a different place from where you actually are. This might happen due to certain glitches in the app’s network. There can be various reasons for this, such as internet access in the area if someone is going through remote places or GPS network problems.
Also Read: How To Snap Yourself On Snapchat?
Who Can View My Snap Map Location?
On Snap Map, you are free to choose whoever you share your location with. As I mentioned above, you get to manage your location setting when you open Snap Map for the first time. Or else, you can change the status anytime you want through the “Settings” function of Snapchat.
You have three options on who can be able to view your location on Snap Map. They are:
All Friends
Under this option, all friends and contacts on your Snapchat can see your location. You will be visible on all of your friend’s maps, including your newly added contacts too.
Select Friends
Under this option, you can choose specific friends with whom you can share your location. These chosen people won’t be notified that they’re on your “Select Friends” list. And other people not included in this list won’t see your location on the map.
Ghost Mode
The Ghost Mode is like an “only me’ feature. If you turn on the ghost mode, none of your friends can view your location on the map. It’s like staying in stealth mode on the whole map. However, you can still view your friend’s location easily while in ghost mode.
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Does Snap Map Notify When My Location Is Getting Viewed?
Snapchat does not pop up notifications to tell you that someone just viewed or is viewing your location.
However, you can check whoever had viewed your location on the map, just like you see how many people have seen your story. Once a person taps on your Bitmoji on the map, they will come up in your view list. But if they don’t, then it won’t appear on your list.
Also Read: How To Know If Someone Added You On Snapchat?
Any Kind Of Safety Concerns While Using Snap Map?
Snapchat is making its users go crazy over its features. Especially after introducing Snap Map, the app has become a huge favorite among the public. But, there are a lot of safety concerns regarding this feature as well, particularly for young and vulnerable users.
The Police and Child Safety Organizations have asked schools and parents to talk to their children about location-tracking apps such as Snap Map. Young teenagers are easily attracted to such interesting features but are not fully aware of the dangers that can come with them. The main concerns are for these users, who easily share their location with others and unknowingly allow someone to track their location.
Also Read: How Can I Delete Pending Messages On Snapchat?
Why Are Our Children Preferred To Be In Ghost Mode?
For safety concerns, parents need to talk and teach their children about the apps and features like Snap Map. Most of these young users are unaware of the risks of connecting themselves with such apps. Hence, they can be taught to take precautions while using them.
One such way of using safety is the Ghost Mode. When your child is in Ghost Mode on Snap Map, no one can know their current location through the map. You will also not see them on Snap Map, but at least it keeps stalkers and strangers from tracking your child through Snap Map.
Also Read: Does Snapchat Delete Memories? Snapchat Backup [FAQ’s]
Can We Turn Off The Snap Map?
Turning off the Snap Map means disabling its location feature on your phone. Therefore, the answer is yes! You can turn off the Snap Map on your phone. Here’s how to turn off the Snap Map:
- Go to your phone’s settings.
- Tap on “Apps” and go to “Snapchat.”
- Check the “Location” option and turn it off.
Now, your location won’t be shown on Snapchat, and no one will be able to track you with this app.
Also Read: What Happens When I Block Someone On Snapchat?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about SnapMap:
How Often Does Snap Map Update Locations?
Snap Map locations are normally refreshed each time a user opens the Snapchat app on their device. This allows their most recent location obtained from GPS or WiFi signals to be displayed on the map. However, there is no set time interval for automatic updates – it depends on how frequently each person chooses to launch the app.
If several hours go by without reopening Snapchat, the system may remove a user’s Actionmoji figure from the viewable map area. This helps prevent displays of outdated or inaccurate positions over extended periods when the app isn’t in use. In general, more regular usage of the Snapchat app results in more up-to-date locations showing on Snap Map.
Can I See My Friends’ Locations If They Haven’t Opened Snapchat?
No, for a friend’s location to show up on Snap Map, they need to have the Snapchat app open and their location services enabled recently. Snap Map only accesses and shares your location based on the last time you had the app open.
If several hours have passed since your friend used the Snapchat app, their Actionmoji will no longer be visible on the map. This is because Snapchat is not constantly tracking user locations in real time. It provides snapshots of locations based on when the app is launched. Unless a friend actively opens Snapchat to update their location, their whereabouts won’t appear for others to see.
What If I’m In An Area Without GPS Service?
If a user’s device is unable to detect an accurate GPS location due to being in an area with spotty or no satellite signal coverage, their Actionmoji figure may display in an incorrect or generic area on Snap Map temporarily. This could be a broad location, like the name of a major town or city, rather than their precise coordinates.
The figure may also simply appear at the center of the map view. It will remain in this unplaced status until the phone regains a clear GPS lock. Users in fringe coverage areas should be aware their location could display as an approximation rather than the exact spot until stronger GPS reception returns.
Last Word
Lastly, the Snapchat map is a great way to inform your friends about your current location. Whenever you are having a party in your house, just use or share the snap map instead of calling. This is the fastest way to know your location. And are the mechanisms that how Snap Map works.
Do you have any queries on how the snap map works? If yes, then let us know in the comment section below.
Thank You.
