How to Half Swipe on Snapchat to Read Messages Secretly

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View Snaps without opening them with this step-by-step guide

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: July 7, 2025 Fact Checked

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How to Half-Swipe

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What is half-swipe on Snapchat?

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Half-swipe on Snapchat involves partially opening the message but releasing it before it fully opens. This way, you can see the message's contents without notifying the sender. Keep in mind that Snapchat+ users may see half-swipes if they're currently watching the chat screen. This article will show you how to half-swipe on Snapchat using your Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Things You Should Know

To half-swipe on Snapchat, gently tap and hold the sender's icon, then slowly swipe to the right. Read the message, and then swipe left to close the chat.
Half-swiping will only work to view text messages, not image or video Snaps.
Snapchat+ users may see the "eyes" emoji if you half-swipe while they're on the chat screen. ^{[1]
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Research source}

Section 1 of 2:

How to Half-Swipe

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1
Open the Snapchat app. Avoid clicking on any message notification in your Notification Center. This will take you directly to the message itself, which is something you’re trying to avoid.
- Half-swiping will only work on text Snaps, not image or video Snaps.
- Keep in mind that Snapchat+ users will see the "eyes" emoji if you half-swipe while they're in the chat window. ^{[2]
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  Research source}
2
Tap the Chat tab. This is where you’ll find all your messages. You can find this between the Map and Camera tabs.
- When you have a new message, there will be a blue circle at the top right of the message box icon.
- This is also the place where you can check a Snap’s status.
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3
Gently place your finger on the sender’s Bitmoji or icon. Don’t click or release your finger.^{[3]
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- Use a light press. A hard press will pull up the sender’s information and alternate options instead.
4
Without letting go, slowly swipe to the right. This will reveal the message in its chat log. If there is more than one message, they will all show up here.
- Keep your finger on the screen at all times.
- Leave a small space between the chat log and the right edge of your screen to avoid releasing too early.
- Incorrectly done, this will open the chat and notify the sender that it's been read.
5
Read the message. You can take as long as you need.
- If you take a screenshot while half-swiping, the sender will be notified.
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Swipe back to the left when you’re finished reading. Make sure the chat log is swiped to the left before releasing your finger.
- If you release your finger before the chat log completely disappears, you will open the message and notify the sender. ^{[4]
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- Successful half-swipes will still have the New Chat notification next to the sender.

Section 2 of 2:

What is half-swipe on Snapchat?

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Half-swipe allows you to check Snapchat messages without notifying the sender. This trick is particularly helpful if you don’t want to reply to certain people but still want to see the message. Half-swiping also gives you time to think about your response before letting the sender know their message has been seen.
- For Snapchat+ users, half-swipes are indicated by the "eyes" emoji if they're on the chat screen.^{[5]
  X
  Research source} However, you may be able to get away with it if you open it when they're inactive or offline.
- As of January 2024, you can still half-swipe on Snapchat.