Just like WhatsApp and other social apps, Snapchat also works on desktop computers. The Snapchat web app can be reached via any compatible web browser such as Chrome or Edge.

However, there’s a little bit of a “getting started” guide required in order to get going with the service. Also, there are some features of the web application that aren’t available for everyone just yet.

However, for those who have access, here’s how to get sign in to your Snapchat via your PC or Mac.

There is a number of steps to be taken before you can make use of Snapchat on your desktop computer and that includes giving permission to the application and allowing access to it via your mobile device. All of these will be discussed in just 5 steps below.

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Grant Access

In order to allow your computer browser access to your Snapchat account, you may need to give permission access from time to time especially after closing the application on your computer.

Turn on Notification for Web

Not necessarily obligatory but upon completing step two, you’ll be welcomed with a notification pop-up requesting your permission. If allowed, the browser will start showing you notifications just as they come in. Similar to the mobile device.

Turn on the Camera

Then, the Snapchat web interface will be loaded into your browser with a message asking you to turn on your desktop camera. Since the camera is a very important part of the Snapchat application, you might want to use a secondary camera rather than the annoyingly horrible webcams that come with the majority of PCs and even Mac computers.

Allow Microphone

Exactly the way you accepted the camera notification, you may also need to turn on your desktop computer’s microphone. Although the microphones that come with computers suck, you may want to make use of third-party hardware to complement it. We have a list of amazing microphones that can be used here. After all of these are done on your part, the camera should come up and the microphone should be active.

Welcome to the Chat Interface

This is the next thing you’ll see on the screen. You’ll be able to view your recent message history on the left side while the details of any message clicked will appear on the right side. You can both audio and video calls from this interface by merely clicking a message and the call icons will be at the top right corner of the recipient’s avatar.

Make a Video Call

Since you’ve allowed your Chrome browser access to both your microphone and camera, you can easily make video calls directly to any selected contact by clicking on them and clicking on the “Call” button next to their avatar. You can make either audio or video calls.

Mute Video Or Audio During A Call

One great privacy feature on the Snapchat web app is the ability to mute your audio or video during a call. In order to do this, select the Camera or Microphone control at the bottom of the window. If you disable the camera, for example, only your avatar will be shown to the call recipient.

Create A Dedicated Window For Snapchat

Or turn it into a web app by clicking on the icon that looks like a Square with an arrow pointing upward-right. This will create a dedicated window on your computer that can serve as your Snapchat web app.

Experience Snapchat everywhere

The advantage of Snapchat for Web is that it can now be used both on mobile devices and desktop devices just like WhatsApp. Although only Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers are the only ones that are being supported at the moment, the company says it will extend support to more browsers such as Apple’s Safari web browser in the near future.

However, the Google Chrome browser is universal and can be installed on both Windows PC or Mac computers and even Linux-based computers. So one can say Snapchat is truly universal at the moment.

Another thing to note is that you’ll need to upgrade your account to a Snapchat+ membership which will cost you about US$4/month. That could change in the future but the idea behind the subscription is to allow early access to new features including the new Snapchat for Web version.

You also get other things like custom app icons, custom themes, best friend pinning, a story rewatch indicator, and other features that aren’t available for freemium users.

Currently, the new Snapchat for Web is available in countries and regions including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom and the ability to use the service directly on your computer is expected to be available for everyone, everywhere without the Snapchat+ subscription.

Snapchat for Web is new and still missing some features

Being new, the web application still lacks some features including Lenses which are expected to come with the next update. Currently, the only feature that is working fine are calls, video calls, and chats.

Also, Snapchat for Web doesn’t work on mobile web browsers even if you set it to load the desktop version. The mobile app is designed to work for mobile devices instead and it’s currently available on all major platforms such as Android and iOS.