How to Turn On Public Story Replies on Snapchat

Snapchat has quietly updated its privacy controls to allow users to publicly display replies to their Stories, a change that could reshape how the platform handles user-generated content and moderation. According to a June 27, 2026, video tutorial from Speedy Infotech, a tech guidance channel on TikTok, the feature—labeled “Show Public Story Replies”—was previously unavailable but is now accessible through the app’s settings. The update comes as social platforms increasingly grapple with balancing engagement metrics against privacy concerns, particularly after high-profile cases of unmoderated content spreading rapidly on competing apps.

The feature, which appears to be a toggleable option in Snapchat’s privacy settings, lets users choose whether replies to their Stories are visible to the public or restricted to friends. Snapchat has not publicly announced the change, and the Speedy Infotech video does not provide a direct link to the setting or confirm its availability across all regions. However, the tutorial—viewed over 100,000 times as of this writing—suggests the option is now live for some users, based on screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

Why this matters

Snapchat’s move aligns with broader industry trends where platforms are experimenting with granular privacy controls to retain user trust amid regulatory scrutiny. In 2025, Meta faced backlash over its handling of user-generated content on Instagram, leading to temporary bans in several European markets over concerns about underage exposure to harmful comments. Snapchat, which has historically prioritized ephemeral content and private sharing, may be testing the waters with this feature to compete with Instagram and TikTok, where public replies are standard.

According to Snap Inc.’s latest transparency report—published in March 2026—the company has faced increasing pressure to clarify how it moderates user interactions, particularly in Stories, which account for over 60% of daily active usage. The new replies feature could also impact developers building third-party tools for Snapchat, as public replies introduce new data visibility layers that may require API adjustments.

How to access the feature

The Speedy Infotech tutorial outlines the following steps to enable public Story replies, though Snapchat has not confirmed these instructions:

Open the Snapchat app and tap your profile icon.
Go to “Settings” and select “Privacy Controls.”
Under “Story Replies,” toggle “Show Public Replies” to “On.”
Confirm the change in the pop-up prompt.

Users reporting success with the feature note that replies appear as public comments beneath Stories, similar to Instagram’s functionality. However, unlike Instagram, Snapchat’s replies remain tied to the original Story’s expiration timer—disappearing after 24 hours unless the user manually saves them. This design choice may mitigate some privacy risks while still encouraging engagement.

Regulatory and competitive context

The update raises questions about how Snapchat will handle moderation for public replies, especially given its past struggles with automated content filtering. In 2024, the platform settled a lawsuit with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over deceptive privacy claims, agreeing to stricter oversight of user data sharing. Any expansion of public interaction features could trigger further scrutiny from regulators, particularly if replies include sensitive or illegal content.

Competitors like Instagram and TikTok have long allowed public replies, but with varying degrees of moderation. Instagram’s system, for example, uses a combination of AI and human review to flag harmful comments, while TikTok relies heavily on user reporting. Snapchat’s approach—if scaled—could set a new precedent for how ephemeral social platforms manage persistent public interactions. The company has not responded to requests for comment on the feature’s rollout or moderation plans.

What comes next

If the feature gains traction, Snapchat may expand it to other content types, such as chats or group updates. However, the lack of official documentation suggests the setting could be in a limited beta phase, with full rollout contingent on user feedback and potential policy adjustments. Developers and third-party tools may also need to adapt to accommodate the new visibility layer, particularly if Snapchat introduces APIs for public reply analytics.

For now, users experimenting with the feature are advised to monitor its behavior closely, as the lack of clear guidelines from Snapchat leaves room for unintended consequences—such as replies being indexed by search engines or shared beyond the intended audience. The platform’s history of rapid feature iterations suggests this could evolve quickly, but without transparency, risks to user privacy remain unclear.