How to use the new Snapchat Desktop App to make a video call and chat

Image: MacRumors

Earlier this week, we announced that Snapchat has its desktop version that helps move Snapchat from smartphone to desktop. The new web app lets you chat and make video calls on a laptop or desktop. This development is the first time Snap is taking its core service beyond the smartphone platform.

About Snapchat for Web?

Snapchat for Web is the web version of mobile Snapchat. It allows users to log in with their Snapchat account and send messages to their friends or call them from any desktop or laptop. The new web app looks like and also works like the mobile version, but it now includes space for chatting and calling on the same window on a laptop or desktop computer. According to Snap, support for AR Lenses will come to the web version sooner than later.

The company observed that people switched to using computers more than mobile to work during the pandemic. In addition, virtual working and learning and virtual meetings have increased the use of computers. As a result of all these put together, it was reasonable that Snapchat’s functionality is moved to the web/desktop. 

Snap, from its inception, created the website for its service, Snapchat; however, they made it such that users are directed to Snapchat’s mobile apps, which only allow users to manage settings and data.

What does Snapchat for Web do for users?

Snapchat for Web allows users to do the following:

• Snapchat for Web allows users to initiate a call or pick up chats where they left off on their smartphones.
  
  
• It allows users to use messaging features like Chat Reactions and Chat Reply.
  
  
• Snap will add AR Lenses to the desktop for a better user experience.

How does Snapchat for Web work?

To use Snapchat for Web, you need to use it through Google’s Chrome browser. The web Snapchat does not work on Apple’s Safari browser.

Launch Snapchat for Web

Open your laptop or desktop and visit web.snapchat.com on your Chrome browser. You will be directed to log in to your account.

Chat and call

Sign in to your Snapchat account, and you will be taken automatically to Snapchat for Web interface. You will see your contacts on the left, chat view in the middle, and video and audio call pane on the right. 

The interface is intelligent, and when you click on a contact, it will initiate a chat with them. You can choose to video call or phone them from the buttons that the app presents. You can do all you want on the chat screen, from your laptop or desktop.

Continue your chat on the Web from mobile.

According to Snap, all calls, video calls, and chats are synced across your platforms (mobile and Web). It will make you continue your chat or calls from any platform - mobile to Web or vice versa.

Is Snapchat for Web for everyone?

Once launched, the web version of Snapchat will be available only to Snapchat Plus subscribers. Snapchat Plus is the paid version of Snapchat, costing $3.99 per month. 

Which region is Snapchat for Web available?

Snapchat Plus subscribers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will get the feature first, while others will get it later.

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#Snapchat
#Snapchat for Web
#Snap
#Video calling
#Chatting