How to View Someone’s Snapchat Story Anonymously: 6 Easy Methods

Some things don’t need to be public. Like viewing someone’s Snap Story without showing up on their viewer list. Not out of drama. Not out of nosiness. Just because you don’t always want to be seen. And you shouldn’t have to explain that to anyone.

Snapchat doesn’t make that easy. It is built for visibility. You tap a story, they see your name. You stay curious, you get exposed. But with 69% of youth having already been through some form of cyberbullying on Snapchat, you need to keep an eye on things while staying invisible.

In this guide, we have shared 6 ideal ways to see a Snapchat story without alerting the other person. 

The Basics You Need To Know Before Figuring Out How to View Snapchat Stories Anonymously

Before we can get into understanding how to view someone’s Snapchat story anonymously, it is important to understand how Snapchat story views work. 

When you view someone’s story, your name gets added to their viewer list. Snapchat orders this list chronologically, meaning your name appears based on the last time you viewed the story, not how often. So even if you rewatch it 5 times, your position on the list won’t move. The story itself disappears after 24 hours, but your view sticks around until then.

The person who posted the story can swipe up and see everyone who watched it. They won’t see exactly when you viewed it, but your name will be there.

Now, Snapchat doesn’t give you an official option to watch stories anonymously. If you tap that story directly, your identity shows up. No exceptions.

But here’s the good news. There are clever ways to watch a story without alerting the other person. So you can ensure their well-being without compromising their sense of privacy – all while staying invisible. Let’s get into how. 

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How to View Snap Story Without Them Knowing: 6 Proven Ways

Many people prefer seeing Snap Stories without revealing their identity. Staying hidden while keeping up with someone’s posts is entirely possible using a few proven methods. Here are 6 that work effectively. 

1. Use XNSPY Snapchat Monitoring App

If you are looking for a reliable way to view Snapchat stories anonymously, XNSPY is one of the smartest tools. It is built for stealth and designed specifically to monitor activity without leaving a trace.

One of its standout features is the screen recording function, which captures real-time activity on the target device. It takes periodic screenshots while Snapchat is in use, so even if a story disappears after 24 hours, you still have a visual record of it, without ever opening the app yourself.

Everything is stored neatly on your XNSPY dashboard. Just log into your account and browse the screenshots to see exactly what was posted – no notifications, no alerts, no risks. 

Here’s how to view Snapchat stories anonymously with XNSPY: 

1. Purchase a subscription plan that is best suited to your needs
2. Install the application on the target device according to the instructions received in your email. 
3. Log in to your dashboard and go to the ‘screen recording” option. 
4. Use it to watch Snapchat stories anonymously. 

2. Check Through an Anonymous Snapchat Story Viewer 

Another way to check someone’s Snapchat Story without letting them know is through a Snapchat Story Viewer. Platforms such as Megastory can allow you to take a look at someone’s stories and memories, without needing access to the Snapchat account. Plus, the app supports all types of devices, so you can access stories from anywhere. 

To use this method efficiently, follow these steps:

1. Visit Megastory’s official website 
2. Type in the username of the person whose story you want to view.
3. Click on “search” and wait for the site to complete the loading process. 
4. Go through the results to find the story you want to see. 

While this method can be efficient in finding the results needed, it is important to note that it runs the risk of jeopardizing user information and safety. Additionally, if the user’s account is private, it might not bring forward any results. 

3. Put Your Device in Airplane Mode

If you are not into technical tricks, this is one of the simplest ways to view a Snapchat story without getting noticed – just use Airplane Mode.

When you switch on Airplane Mode, your phone cuts off all network connections, including Wi-Fi and mobile data. If you have already opened Snapchat and let the stories load in the background, you can then view them while offline, without your name being added to the viewer list.

Let’s take a look at how you can watch Snapchat stories anonymously through airplane mode:

1. Go to phone settings and enable airplane mode. 
2. Open the Snapchat app.
3. Load the story you want to view. 
4. After viewing the story, force close the app before turning off  Airplane Mode. 

While this method is quick and easy, it is not foolproof. If you forget to properly close Snapchat before reconnecting to the internet, your view will be recorded, and your name will show up on the list. So be careful with that last step.

4. Create a Second Snapchat Account 

One of the more direct ways to view someone’s Snapchat Story without revealing your real identity is by using a second account. If their Stories are public or if they accept your new friend request, you will be able to watch everything without linking it back to your main profile.

This method is popular for a reason: it is easy, and it doesn’t require any extra tools or settings.

Here’s how to view Snap Story without them knowing:

1. Log out of your main Snapchat account.
2. Create a new account with a different email and username. 
3. Add the person you want to follow. 
4. View their Story from the new account once you’re accepted. 

This method is simple but comes with drawbacks. If the user has a private account, they might ignore or reject your request. Plus, managing multiple accounts can get tiring, and if Snapchat detects suspicious behavior, it could violate their terms of service.

5. Find Someone’s Story Through Snap Map 

Snap Map isn’t just for seeing where your friends are; it is also a clever way to view public Stories without ever going near someone’s profile.

If a user has shared a Story publicly and enabled location tagging, it might show up on Snap Map. This lets you tap in and view what they have posted, without following them or triggering the viewer list.

Let’s see how this can be done:

1. Open Snapchat and pinch the screen to open Snap Map. 
2. Browse or search for the user’s Bitmoji or an active hotspot. 
3. Tap on the location to view public Stories posted in that area. 
4. Watch the available Story without interacting with the user’s profile. 

Just keep in mind: this only works if the person shared the Story publicly and allowed location access. If their privacy settings are locked down, their Story won’t show up here at all. So it is hit or miss, but still worth a try if you are going for a no-contact approach.

6. Look Through Someone Else’s Snapchat Account 

If none of the tech tricks work, the old-school method still holds up – see the Story through someone else’s Snapchat account. If you have a friend or mutual contact who is already added the person, this can be a low-effort way to check in without using your own profile.

Since you are not the one logged in, your name won’t show up on the viewer list. It is a simple workaround that doesn’t require any apps or second accounts.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Get in touch with a friend who has the target user added on Snapchat. 
2. Access their account with their consent. 
3. Navigate to the account of the person whose story you want to see. 
4. View their story and take action as necessary. 

Of course, this approach depends on a few things. If your friend doesn’t have the person added, it won’t work. And unless you have regular access to their account or phone, it is not exactly a long-term solution. But for quick one-time checks, it gets the job done quietly.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Watch Snapchat Stories Anonymously

Using the right method is only half the battle – one small slip can still blow your cover. Below are 5 common mistakes people make when trying to check Snapchat stories anonymously. Avoid these, and your chances of staying truly undetected go way up.

1. Logging In on a Recognizable Device

Even if you are using a fake account, logging in from a device that is previously been linked to your main Snapchat profile can raise red flags. Snapchat tracks login behavior and may use device fingerprinting to detect unusual activity, especially if it notices multiple accounts accessing the app from the same phone.

What to do instead:

Use a different device entirely, or run Snapchat in a secure virtual environment (like a second user profile or virtual machine) to avoid linking your identity.

2. Forgetting to Clear App Cache and Data

Snapchat stores a surprising amount of local data on your device, including login history, story loads, and location activity. If you are toggling between accounts or using tricks like Airplane Mode, leaving that cache uncleared could mess with your session and cause unexpected syncing when you reconnect.

What to do instead:

Before and after any anonymous viewing attempt, clear the app cache through your device settings. This helps keep sessions clean and prevents leftover data from giving you away.

3. Using Suspicious or Incomplete Profiles

If you are creating a second account or using a decoy profile, don’t make it look fake. Empty profiles with no Bitmoji, no mutuals, or random names can set off alarms. Many users ignore or block friend requests from profiles that look fishy.

What to do instead:

Fill out the profile to look as normal as possible – add a profile picture, Bitmoji, and even a couple of friends. Make it believable so it blends in naturally.

4. Interacting With the Person Outside of Stories

Sometimes people forget the point is to stay invisible. Liking, commenting, or messaging the person directly from a second account defeats the purpose. One message or tap on a public post can expose your identity, even if you never view a story.

What to do instead:

Keep the interaction limited to story viewing only. Don’t follow, like, or DM anything from that account unless you’re ready to blow your cover.

5. Not Checking for Screenshots or Story View Settings

Some users have Snapchat+ or third-party apps that notify them when someone screenshots or replays a story, even from a secondary account. If you are trying to save the story or grab proof, that activity may still get flagged.

What to do instead:

If you need to save a story, use a screen recording tool from outside Snapchat (like XNSPY or another stealth tool) instead of doing it through the app itself. 

FAQs

How to see someone’s Story on Snapchat without adding them? 

If their Story is set to public, you can view it without sending a friend request. One option is using an anonymous Snapchat Story viewer, which is a third-party site or app that lets you enter a username and watch public Stories. However, most of these are unreliable and may not work as promised. Another option is the Airplane Mode trick: open Snapchat, let the Stories load, then turn on Airplane Mode and watch the Story offline. Make sure to force-close the app before reconnecting to the internet so your view doesn’t get recorded.

How to view a Snap Story without opening it if the person has removed you from their friend list?

If the person has removed you and their Stories are private, you won’t be able to see them from your main account. But if their Story settings are set to “Everyone,” you can still view them in other ways. One option is to use a mutual friend’s account to check their Story, either by asking or briefly using their device. Another way is to create a second Snapchat account with a different email and username.

How to watch a Snap Story without opening it if they use a burner account?

If someone uses a burner account, it becomes harder to track their Snapchat activity directly. In this case, XNSPY can help. Its built-in screen recorder captures real-time activity on the target device, including Snapchat usage, regardless of which account is being used. You can view Snap Stories remotely through your XNSPY dashboard without opening the app yourself. Since it runs silently in the background, the person never knows they are being monitored, and your view doesn’t get recorded.

How to watch Snapchat Stories anonymously without installing software?

You can see Snapchat Stories anonymously without installing anything by using Snap Map. If the person has posted a public Story with location tagging, it may show up on the map and can be watched without triggering a view notification. Another option is to use a friend’s account – if they are still connected to the user, you can view the Story through their profile without exposing your own identity. Both methods keep you off the radar without needing to download or install any tools.

How to view Snapchat Story anonymously if it has already been deleted?

Once a Snapchat Story is deleted, it can’t be viewed through the app anymore. If the Story was preloaded before it disappeared and the app hasn’t been refreshed, you might still be able to view it offline using Airplane Mode, but this only works in very specific cases. For a more reliable option, XNSPY’s screen recording feature captures Snapchat activity in real time, allowing you to access Stories even after they have been deleted. It runs silently, so the user never knows it was recorded.