Skip to main content

Snapchat is testing self-destruct videos for Android

snapchat background
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Snapchat released a new beta build that incorporates videos into its Android app, rounding out its suite of supported operating systems, as it’s been a staple in the iOS version since the end of last year in December.

So yes, soon Android users will be able to send other Snapchat users temporary video messages, in addition to self-destructing photo messages. But right now if you weren’t invited to the initial beta testing phase, which popped up and disappeared (or, rather, self-destructed) yesterday, you’ll have to wait a little longer. The Snapchat team is working on fixing any remaining bugs, and testing the app with a larger user base before releasing an update to the Google Play store for everyone to download.

Recommended Videos

Self destructing messaging might find a place among the titans of social media, and investors are so far betting $13.5 million to help grow Snapchat’s user base and figure out where brands can come into play on the social messaging platform. Despite its initial tarnished image as an illicit social network that users turn to for sexting, brands have already been getting creative with their Snapchat campaigns, providing more evidence to Snapchat’s legitimacy as a widely used social platform that may be here to stay (and not just another fad). For instance 16 Handles, a frozen yogurt chain, distributed purchase discounts in exchange for videos of its customers tasting its flavors.

In the wake of the news about a video feature making its way to Android, we’d recommend you to be mindful about who around you might be using the app. If you recall our earlier report, it was recently discovered that users could save Snapchat videos without even knowing it. And Snapchat hasn’t taken the initiative to remove the feature, with its founder Evan Spiegel instead chalking the loophole up to “reverse engineering,” and “the spirit” of the service.

Since the video feature for Android is in a “pre-beta” testing phase it’s unclear when the feature will be launched publicly, however we’re expecting to see the feature in the next couple of weeks.

Francis Bea
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Francis got his first taste of the tech industry in a failed attempt at a startup during his time as a student at the…
From Android 1.0 to Android 16: How Google’s mobile OS has evolved since 2008
Android 16 logo on Google Pixel 6a kept on the edge of a table.

Google I/O 2025 will be livestreaming next week, and software developers from Google are expected to unveil Android 16, which is slated to come out before the summer. The upcoming Android software update is expected to bring a host of new features as well as some returning mechanics from a decade ago.

To hold our excitement for the upcoming conference over, we're going to take a stroll down memory lane with a complete history of Android, from its humble beginnings as a T-Mobile-exclusive mobile tech to an AI-advanced software to grace contemporary smartphones like Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25. Android has come a long way since 2008, and it has a long way to go to be the best mobile software for everyone. That being said, here's a full timeline of Android's evolution.

Read more
Google Chrome is getting an AI-powered scam sniffer for Android phones
Scam warning from Chrome on Android.

Google’s Chrome browser has offered a rich suite of privacy and safety features for a while now. Take, for example, Enhanced Safe Browsing, which was introduced back in 2020. It protects users against unsafe websites and files by using real-time threat detection. 

Three years later, Google switched it from an opt-in mode to a default safety protocol to guard users against phishing attacks, bad extensions, and malicious downloads. Now, the company is deploying its Gemini Nano AI to safeguard smartphone users against potential online scams, especially those hiding as a tech security warning on webpages.

Read more
OnePlus owners could get an iPhone Dynamic Island feature in Android 16
OnePlus 13 in hand

Google is working on integrating sports scores into OnePlus's Live Alerts feature on OxygenOS 15. According to the folks at Android Authority, this would allow OnePlus users to receive real-time sports updates in a glanceable format, similar to Samsung's Now Bar.

The latest beta version of the Google app includes code suggesting this functionality, but neither Google nor OnePlus has officially confirmed its rollout. If implemented, this feature could enhance the OxygenOS experience for sports fans by providing unobtrusive notifications while they use their phones for other tasks.

Read more