How to Freeze your Location on Snapchat? (2023 Updated)

Snapchat is among the most popular social media apps these days. As you are also a Snapchat user, you should enjoy using it but at the same time, you should be aware of your privacy and security on the app. As Snapchat will ask you to grant permission to access your device’s location, it will show it on the app and everyone will be able to see it. This may risk your privacy as everyone will be able to see where you currently are and how often you are moving from one location to another. Having said that, you can freeze your location on Snapchat. In today’s guide, we will make you learn how to freeze your Location on Snapchat. Therefore, if you do not want to hustle to disable your location on Snapchat, you must keep reading.

Quick Takeaways

• Snapchat will ask you to grant permission to access your location.
• Enabling location on Snapchat will allow your every Snapchat friend to know your current location.
• You can either disable or enable your location on Snapchat, and you can even choose who can see your Snapchat Location.

However, you must read till the end to know more about how can you freeze your Location on Snapchat.

Why would you want to freeze your location on Snapchat?

If you are a Snapchat user, you might also be concerned about your privacy on the app. This becomes the main reason why you would want to freeze your location on Snapchat. If you enable your location on Snapchat, every person added to you on Snapchat will be able to see where you are currently. Some people don’t find it concerning but some do. 

Who would want to let others know where they are at all times? Freezing your location on Snapchat allows you to have control of your location. To freeze your location you need to locate Ghost Mode on Snapchat and enable it. After you freeze your location, no one will be able to see your current location and you can protect your privacy. This way, no one will be able to see where you exactly are.

For instance, if you are traveling to a new place and you need a break from Snapchat, you must hide your location. If you are one of those who have a big Snapchat family, you would not want to let them all know where you are heading. If every one of them gets to know about your location, your privacy will be disturbed. This makes it important for you to hide your location through Ghost Mode on Snapchat.

Also if you are going to a place for something important and confidential, and you do not want to get highlighted on Social media, it is important for you to freeze your location on Snapchat. This way no one would get to know where you currently are and your privacy will be maintained.

What is Ghost Mode on Snapchat?

Snapchat is a Social media app that accesses your device’s storage, microphone, camera, and even location. If you grant Snapchat permission to access your location, it will use your location on the app. All your Snapchat friends will be able to see where you currently are which means that your location will be visible to all. 

Ghost Mode is a smart feature of Snapchat that allows you to turn your location off if you are not comfortable sharing your location with everyone on Snapchat. You can use Ghost Mode if you are concerned about your privacy and security. Ghost Mode is a very useful feature for all the users who do not want their location to be visible on Snapchat maps and want to keep it hidden.

Many times you are concerned about your privacy and are not willing to open up on Social Media. On Snapchat, privacy and security play a major role. Therefore, Ghost mode is the only best option for you. As soon as the Ghost Mode is enabled, your Snapchat friends will not be able to locate you on the Snapchat maps and you can maintain your privacy.

How to access Ghost Mode settings?

Now that you know about the Ghost Mode, there is something more to it. Ghost Mode is not just a basic feature but has some advanced preferences to it. The ghost mode allows you to hide your location from your friends for different time durations. Snapchat will always ask for how much duration you want to turn on Ghost Mode and keep your location hidden. These durations can be located by following the steps below.

Step1

Launch the Snapchat app on your device.

Step 2

Click on the Location icon at the bottom left of your screen.

Step 3

Click on the Gear icon visible at the top left corner of the screen

Step 4 Now the Ghost Mode will be visible to you. Click on it and you will be able to see a prompt asking “Enable Ghost Mode?” with three-time preferences i.e. 3 hours, 24 hours, and Until Turned Off. 

You can either choose to hide your location for three hours, 24 hours or until you turn it off. In this way, you would have the control over the Ghost Mode on Snapchat.

Steps to freeze your location on Snapchat.

Freezing your Snapchat location is important to protect your privacy as you would not want to let everyone know where you exactly are. If you also want to freeze your location on Snapchat, the following steps can help you.

Step 1

Open Snapchat on your device.

Step 2

At the bottom of the screen, you will be able to see a navigation bar with multiple icons. These icons will be the Location, Chat, Browse Effect, Add Friends, and Spotlight, tap on the ‘Location’ option.

Step 3

Now, you will see a map with the Snapchatters. You will also be able to see your Snapchat friends on the map.

Step 4

Now, you will be able to see a Gear icon at the top right corner of the screen, tap on it.

Step 5

After you click on the Gear option, you will be able to see another screen where there will be Ghost Mode. Right next to the Ghost mode, there will be a slider. Slide towards the right and the Ghost Mode will be enabled.

Note that when you disable your Location On Snapchat, this comes with certain limitations. You will not be able to access certain features on Snapchat. This means that you will not be able to see where your Snapchat friends are. Disabling your Snapchat location will restrict you from seeing your Snapchat friends’ locations.

Also if you are a fan of Snapchat filters, you will not be able to access certain filters that are recommended to you according to your location on Snapchat.

How to enable your location on Snapchat?

If you have previously disabled your Snapchat location and now want to enable it, then you can follow the steps below. 

Step 1:

Open the Snapchat app on your phone.

Step 2:

Now at the bottom of the screen, you will be able to see a navigation bar with multiple icons. These icons will be the Location, Chat, Browse Effect, Add Friends, and Spotlight, tap on the ‘Location’ option.

Step 3:

Now, you will see a map with the Snapchatters. You will also be able to see your Snapchat friends on the map.

Step 4:

Now at the top left corner of your screen, you will be able to see the Gear option, click on it.

Step 5:

Now you will be able to see the Ghost Mode option and a slider next to it. Slide it towards the left and the Ghost Mode will be disabled. Now your Snapchat friends will be able to see your Snapchat location.

The downside of freezing your location on Snapchat

As you know if you want more privacy on Snapchat, you can turn off your location. However, freezing your Snapchat location comes with some drawbacks. There are many features on Snapchat that are based on location data and after you freeze your Snapchat location, they get restricted. If you are a person who is only concerned about privacy and security on Snapchat, you would not have any limitations on the app. But, if you enjoy other features on Snapchat, you might miss out on many things. Those limitation on Snapchat are given below:

Snapchat Maps:

If you have enabled the Ghost Mode on Snapchat, you will not be able to see the locations of your Snapchat friends. Restricting others to see your location will also restrict you from seeing others’ locations. Therefore, you would not be able to access Snapchat Maps. 

 Snapchat Filters:

There are many Snapchat filters that are recommended to you by the app based on your location. If you turn on Ghost Mode on Snapchat, it will turn off your location making it impossible for the app to recommend you those filters.

Snapchat Interactions

As you know Snapchat is all about interacting with each other through snaps. As a Snapchat user, you must also have several Snapchat connections. If you turn off your location on Snapchat, those connections will not be able to see your location which might be unpleasant for them and would affect your friendship.

Now that you are aware of all the drawbacks of turning your location off on Snapchat, you must consider what your preferences are and then decide whether you still want to freeze your location on Snapchat or not.

 Snapchat’s Location feature

On Snapchat, location plays a major role, as the app uses location to enable some exciting features for its users. The location feature on Snapchat is another exciting way to connect with your Snapchat friends. Imagine finding that your Snapchat friends are at your location or near you. That is what the Location feature is about. 

Snapchat will ask you to grant permission to access your location. Once you allow it to access your location, it will show your location to your Snapchat friends and their locations to you. That way you can easily find out where your Snapchat friends are currently and they will also know where you are. Therefore if you and your Snapchat friend are nearby, you can meet them.

However, you have an entire control of this feature. Who can see you Snapchat location can be controlled by you.

Only me

In the location preferences, you will be able to see the ‘Only Me’ option which is also known as the Ghost Mode. This means that only you will be able to see your location and it will be hidden from everyone else.

My Friends

This preference means that your friends will be able to see your current location. Friends include all the old and the new friends.

Selected Friends

This preference will allow you to share your location with selected friends. This means that only selected friends will see where you currently are and your location will be hidden from other friends.

 Now, that you know about Snapchat’s Location feature and all the preferences above, you can choose who can view your Snapchat Location.

Steps to Update Snapchat’s Location Settings

Now that you are aware of all the location preferences, you must be thinking about how to update them. Don’t worry, we are mentioning some steps that you can follow and update your location settings on Snapchat

Step 1

Launch the Snapchat app on your device.

Step 2

You will be able to see a few options at the bottom of your screen which are Location, Chats, Browse, Add Friends, and Spotlight option. Click on the Location option.

Step 3

The Snapchat Map will appear on your Screen with all your friends on it. Now if you look at the top left corner, you will be able to see the Gear option. Click on it.

Step 4

Now below the Ghost Mode, you will be able to see three preferences i.e. Only Me, All Friends, and Only These Friends. You can select the preference you want and your Snapchat Location settings will be updated.

Another way to Update Snapchat’s Location Settings

There is another way with which you can update your Snapchat’s Location settings. If you want to know how you can take a look at the steps below.

Step 1

Open the Snapchat app on your phone.

Step 2

At the top right corner of the screen, you will be able to see your avatar, click on it.

Step 3

Now, click on the Gear option visible at the top left corner of the screen.

Step 4

Scroll down until you come across the option ‘See My Location”. Click the option.

Step 5

Now, you will be able to see the same screen you see after tapping the Gear icon in the Snapchat Map section. Right next to the Ghost Mode, you will be able to see the preferences as Only Me, All Friends, and Only These Friends. You can choose accordingly and set your preferences. Your Snapchat Location Setting will be updated.

Is it possible to change your Snapchat location?

Answering this question by saying yes or no won’t be enough. As you are a Snapchat user, you must be aware that Snapchat uses your device’s GPS location and displays that on the app. Changing your Snapchat location is not limited to changing your IP Address but it is more than that. If you want to change your Snapchat’s location, you need to change your device’s GPS location which is not an easy task. To change your Snapchat location, you will need some special tools that will help you change your device’s GPS location.

The only solution to changing your location on Snapchat is to use a VPN. Although many of the VPNs won’t do the task for you there are some of them who can help you. If you are among those who want to change their Snapchat location, then you can use a highly recommended VPN that will not risk your security and privacy. After all who would want to change their Snapchat location Risking their privacy and security?

 We will advise you to use Surfshark VPN. This is a secured VPN and would not risk your privacy and would also alter your Snapchat location. The downside of this VPN is that it only works for Android. If you are an iPhone user, you can use another VPN which is iTools.

Changing Snapchat Location on Android

If you are an Android user, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1

Open Google Play on your device.

Step 2

Download Surfshark on your device.

Step 3

Now, you have to open the VPN on your device and locate The Settings option.

Step 4

Enable the ‘Override GPS Location’ option visible on your screen.

Step 5 

A pop-up menu will appear saying ‘Let’s Go’. Click on it.

Step 6

Now, a pop-up menu will appear on your screen, you have to tap on the ‘Open Settings’ option.

Step 7

Now you have to open your device’s About Phone option.

Step 8

Scroll down and locate the ‘Build Number’.

Step 9

Now you have to continuously and quickly tap the Build Number and a message will prompt saying that ” You are in Developer Mode”.

Step 10

Now open the VPN tap on the arrow and tap the ‘Open Settings’ option again.

Step 11

You will be able to see the “Select Mock Location App” in the developer options by scrolling down.

Step 12

Now, you have to tap on ‘Surfshark’ to mock your location. 

Now as you follow the above steps, the setup is finalized.

Changing Snapchat Location on iPhone.

If you are an iPhone user, you must know the fact that there is no VPN that would allow you to alter your GPS location on an iPhone. Therefore, the only way to do it is by downloading new software on your iPhone. However, to help you through the process, there are many tools available. We suggest you use iTools. If you want to know how to use it, you can read the steps below.

Step 1

Download the iTools on your desktop.

Step 2

Now, you must keep a USB cable handy to connect your iPhone to the computer.

Step 3

Now, locate the Toolbox option and click it. 

Step 4

Locate the Virtual Location option and tap on it.

Step 5

Now to finalize, enter an address and click on the Go option.

Conclusion

We all use Snapchat these days in fact it is one of the most used apps in today’s world. Using Snapchat isn’t concerning but risking our privacy through the app is. As soon as we download Snapchat and open it, the app will ask you to grant permission to access your device’s contacts, location, and storage. Granting permission for storage and contacts is typical but granting permission to access the location may cause problems. 

Once you grant Snapchat permission to access your device’s location, it will use it on the app. All your friends will be able to see your current location and know where you currently are. If you are one of those who do not like opening that up on Social media, you will find it uneasy. Also if you are concerned about your privacy and security, you will not like sharing your current location with your Snapchat friends every time. This makes you wonder if you could freeze your Snapchat Location. Yes, it can be done by enabling the Ghost Mode on Snapchat.

As mentioned above, Ghost Mode will disable your location on Snapchat and your friends will not be able to know where you currently are. You can also choose for what duration you want your location to be hidden.

 However, if you want to share your Snapchat Location with your friends, you can choose who you would want to share your location with. You can also select some friends and share your location with them only.

In the above guide, we have mentioned everything you need to know about the Snapchat Location and how you can freeze it. If you ever get confused in the future, you can come back to read the above information again.

FAQs