How to download Snapchat without the App Store [PC Guide]

by Sonia Martin
Sonia Martin
Sonia Martin
Sonia is a tech enthusiast that fell in love with Windows after having experienced working on a different OS. Being above all, a down-to-earth kind of person, she... read more
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  • Do you want to know how to download Snapchat without the App Store?
  • While the popular messaging app technically caters only to mobile users, you can use it on PC or Mac as well.
  • In order to access Snapchat on your computer, open the website in your browser or get an Android emulator.
how to get snapchat without app store

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Snapchat is on the rise and its popularity lures more and more users on a daily basis. What’s so unique about it?

It’s the ephemeral nature of the items you share that aims to replicate the natural interaction flow. It’s all about instant communication whether we’re talking about chats, photos, live videos, stories, memories, and so on – the recipient can only hold on to it temporarily before it vanishes forever.

Yet another characteristic that distinguishes Snapchat from conventional social networks and messaging apps is its mobile-based architecture.

By default, Snapchat caters to smartphone users and is only available for download via the Google Play store on Android, respectively the Apple App Store on iOS.

Can I open Snapchat on my computer? Here’s the big question and we’re glad to confirm that desktop users are no longer to be deprived of this perk.

How can I download Snapchat without the app?

1. Use Snapchat in your browser

  1. Open the official Opera download page.
  2. Press the Download Opera button and choose the location on your PC before hitting Save.
  3. Click the executable file (feel free to use the Options checkbox to further customize the installation if you want to) and press Install.
  4. Your freshly installed browser should launch automatically. Use the URL address bar to search for the Snapchat website and open it.
  5. In the top left corner, you will see the menu button. Click on it.
  6. Select Accounts from the list in order to sign in.
  7. Note that if you’re new to Snapchat, you’ll still have to create your account by using your phone.

Can I use Snapchat on the web?

You can use Snapchat online directly in your browser even though the process is mainly designed for mobile users.

In fact, you can use it on Opera, Chrome, or any other modern browser you fancy with the same effectiveness. However, the experience will be slightly limited.

While you will be able to use Snapchat on the web to view stories, chat, and explore the news feed, you won’t be able to upload content or take selfies.

2. Use an Android emulator to download Snapchat on your PC

  1. Open the official BlueStacks website in your browser.
  2. Next, click on the Download BlueStacks button and define the download location for the install package.
  3. Press Save and then click the .EXE file to launch the installation process.
  4. Once the emulator is installed, open it and select the Play Store icon.
  5. Sign in with your Google account to sync the information.
  6. Open the store’s library and search for Snapchat.
  7. Click Install and wait for the magic to happen!

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Now, we must stress that the latest versions of BlueStacks do not support Snapchat, so you might want to check out more options just to be on the safe side.

The first thing you can try is to search for an older version of BlueStacks that is compatible with the popular messaging app.

Can I use Snapchat on a laptop without Bluestacks? If you no longer wish to deal with BlueStacks, you can give Nox Player a chance or explore more popular Android emulator alternatives for Windows 11 and 10.

Note icon
NOTE
On the other hand, Snapchat seems to have started its own crusade against emulators and it’s slowly blocking their app from working with them.

Is Snapchat coming to Windows?

You might have heard or even seen it already – Windows 11 allows you to install and run Android apps and games on a computer alongside other Windows apps.

While this is an extremely appealing ability, the Windows Subsystem for Android works in collaboration with the Amazon App Store, not the Google Play Store.

In short, you can technically install the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 (even outside the US) and download Android apps as APK files. However, (at least for now) the Amazon App Store does not have all the apps.

Such is the case with Snapchat which is not officially available in the Amazon Store and consequently not ready for Windows 11 out of the box.

Instead, there are other tempting Android apps that you can use on Windows 11 and they are available right now.

When it comes to how to get Snapchat without App Store or Play Store, the two best options remain the ones listed above.

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