Snapchat has become an integral part of our social media lives, allowing us to stay connected with friends and family through its unique features like snaps, stories, and video calls. However, the platform’s friendship rules can be a bit confusing, especially when it comes to Snapchat calling. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Snapchat calls and explore whether you can Snapchat call someone who isn’t your friend.
Understanding Snapchat’s Friendship Rules
Before we dive into the specifics of Snapchat calling, it’s essential to understand how Snapchat’s friendship rules work. On Snapchat, you can add someone as a friend by sending them a friend request, which they can either accept or decline. Once you’re friends with someone on Snapchat, you can exchange snaps, view each other’s stories, and even make video calls.
However, Snapchat also allows you to communicate with people who aren’t your friends, but with some limitations. For instance, you can send snaps to someone who isn’t your friend, but they won’t be able to see your story or send you snaps back unless they add you as a friend.
Can You Snapchat Call Someone Who Isn’t Your Friend?
Now, let’s get to the main question: can you Snapchat call someone who isn’t your friend? The answer is a bit complicated. Snapchat allows you to make voice and video calls to your friends, but you can’t call someone who isn’t your friend.
However, there is a workaround. If you want to call someone who isn’t your friend on Snapchat, you can try sending them a friend request and waiting for them to accept it. Once they’ve accepted your friend request, you can make a Snapchat call to them.
Another way to call someone who isn’t your friend on Snapchat is by using the “Here for You” feature. This feature allows you to make a call to someone who has posted a story about their mental health or well-being. Even if you’re not friends with the person, you can still make a call to them using this feature.
How to Make a Snapchat Call
Making a Snapchat call is relatively straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open Snapchat and navigate to the chat screen.
- Swipe right on the person you want to call.
- Tap the phone icon to make a voice call or the video camera icon to make a video call.
- Wait for the person to answer your call.
Note that you can only make Snapchat calls to people who are your friends on the platform. If you try to call someone who isn’t your friend, you’ll get an error message saying that the person isn’t available to chat.
The Benefits of Snapchat Calling
Snapchat calling offers several benefits over traditional phone calls or video conferencing apps. Here are a few reasons why you might prefer Snapchat calling:
- Convenience: Snapchat calling is integrated into the Snapchat app, making it easy to switch between chatting, snapping, and calling.
- Informal atmosphere: Snapchat calls have a more informal atmosphere than traditional phone calls or video conferencing apps, making them perfect for casual conversations with friends.
- Features like filters and lenses: Snapchat calls offer features like filters and lenses that can add a fun touch to your conversations.
Alternatives to Snapchat Calling
If you can’t Snapchat call someone who isn’t your friend, there are several alternative options you can consider. Here are a few:
- Phone calls: You can make a traditional phone call to the person using their phone number.
- Video conferencing apps: You can use video conferencing apps like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet to make a video call to the person.
- Other social media platforms: You can try contacting the person on other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Comparison of Snapchat Calling with Other Video Calling Apps
Here’s a comparison of Snapchat calling with other popular video calling apps:
| App | Features | Friendship requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Snapchat | Filters, lenses, informal atmosphere | Requires friendship |
| Zoom | Screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, formal atmosphere | No friendship requirements |
| Skype | Screen sharing, group calls, formal atmosphere | No friendship requirements |
Conclusion
In conclusion, while you can’t Snapchat call someone who isn’t your friend, there are workarounds and alternative options available. Snapchat calling offers several benefits, including convenience, an informal atmosphere, and features like filters and lenses. However, if you need to call someone who isn’t your friend, you may want to consider using other video calling apps like Zoom or Skype.
By understanding Snapchat’s friendship rules and the limitations of Snapchat calling, you can make the most of the platform’s features and stay connected with your friends and loved ones.
Can You Snapchat Call Someone Who Isn’t Your Friend?
You can Snapchat call someone who isn’t your friend, but there are certain limitations. If the person you’re trying to call has their settings set to only receive calls from friends, you won’t be able to call them. However, if their settings are set to receive calls from everyone, you can call them even if you’re not friends.
Keep in mind that even if you can call someone who isn’t your friend, they may not receive your call or respond to it. Snapchat’s algorithm prioritizes calls from friends, so calls from non-friends may be less likely to be answered. Additionally, if the person you’re trying to call has blocked you, you won’t be able to call them at all.
How Do I Know If Someone Has Received My Snapchat Call?
If someone has received your Snapchat call, you’ll see a notification on your screen indicating that they’re ringing or that they’ve answered your call. If the person doesn’t answer your call, you’ll see a notification saying that they’re unavailable or that the call was missed.
It’s worth noting that Snapchat calls don’t leave voicemails or any other indication that a call was made if the person doesn’t answer. If you’re unsure whether someone received your call, you can try sending them a Snapchat message or making another call to see if they respond.
Can I Block Someone on Snapchat From Calling Me?
Yes, you can block someone on Snapchat from calling you. To do this, go to the person’s profile, tap the three dots, and select “Block.” This will prevent them from calling you, sending you messages, or seeing your content.
Blocking someone on Snapchat is a permanent action, so make sure you’re certain you want to block someone before doing so. If you block someone by mistake, you can unblock them later by going to your settings and selecting “Blocked” to see a list of people you’ve blocked.
How Do I Change My Snapchat Call Settings?
To change your Snapchat call settings, go to your settings by tapping the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen. Scroll down to the “Who Can…” section and select “Contact Me” or “Call Me.” From here, you can choose who can contact you or call you, including friends, everyone, or custom settings.
Keep in mind that changing your Snapchat call settings will affect all of your contacts, not just specific individuals. If you want to block or limit calls from a specific person, it’s better to block them individually rather than changing your settings.
Can I Make Group Snapchat Calls?
Yes, you can make group Snapchat calls with up to 16 people. To do this, go to the chat screen and select the people you want to call. Tap the phone icon to start a group call. All participants will receive a notification that they’re being called, and they can join the call by tapping the “Join” button.
Group Snapchat calls work similarly to individual calls, but with more people. You can switch between video and audio, and participants can join or leave the call at any time. Group calls are a great way to catch up with multiple friends at once or to have a group conversation.
Are Snapchat Calls Free?
Snapchat calls are free, but they do use data. If you’re using a cellular network, your calls will use your data plan. If you’re using Wi-Fi, your calls won’t use any data. Snapchat doesn’t charge any fees for making calls, but your carrier may charge you for data usage if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi.
It’s worth noting that Snapchat calls are not the same as traditional phone calls. They’re more like video or audio chats, and they use data rather than minutes. If you’re concerned about data usage, you can try making calls over Wi-Fi or limiting your call time.
Are Snapchat Calls Private?
Snapchat calls are private in the sense that they’re encrypted and can only be accessed by the participants in the call. However, Snapchat does collect some data about your calls, including the duration and the participants. This data is used to improve the Snapchat experience and to provide features like call history.
If you’re concerned about the privacy of your Snapchat calls, you can take steps to protect yourself. For example, you can use a VPN to encrypt your data, or you can make calls over Wi-Fi rather than a cellular network. Additionally, you can block or limit calls from people you don’t know or trust.