Where does the file go on Mac?
The default folder
Chrome on Mac saves to /Users/<username>/Downloads by default; Safari saves to the folder set in Safari › Settings › General › File download location.
Finding it right after the download
Click Safari's downloads button near the top-right of the window; in Chrome, use the download icon next to the address bar.
Mac at a glance
| Question | Answer on Mac |
|---|---|
| Browser | Safari or Chrome |
| Where the file lands | Chrome on Mac saves to /Users/<username>/Downloads by default; Safari saves to the folder set in Safari › Settings › General › File download location. |
| How to see it | Click Safari's downloads button near the top-right of the window; in Chrome, use the download icon next to the address bar. |
| Opens with | Preview or Quick Look |
| Change the folder | Safari › Settings › General › File download location. Chrome: Settings › Downloads › Change. |
What do you get?
Snapchat's profile page loads a small copy of the profile picture (90×90 pixels in our test). SnapViewer asks Snapchat's image server for the stored version instead: 1080×1080 pixels (128 KB JPG) for one account in our tests, 362×362 and 375×375 for two others, because the stored size depends on what the owner uploaded. Only public profiles show a profile picture to everyone.
| Detail | Profile Photos from Snapchat |
|---|---|
| File extension | .jpg |
| Format | the profile picture as a JPG in its stored size |
| Largest version | the stored size of the picture, up to 1080×1080 in our tests (it varies by account; the profile page itself shows a 90-pixel copy) |
| Opens on Mac with | Preview or Quick Look |
| Preset on this page | Profile picture viewer |
Which app opens it on Mac?
Preview or Quick Look.
How do you keep it with your photos?
Drag the file from Downloads to the folder you want in Finder; select it and press Space to preview it with Quick Look.
What should you know on Mac?
Preview does not play animated GIFs; use Quick Look or a browser.
What if the download does not show up on Mac?
- Check the Downloads folder first: Click Safari's downloads button near the top-right of the window; in Chrome, use the download icon next to the address bar.
- Make sure the profile is public. Friends-only Stories and private accounts cannot be read without logging in, and this tool never asks for a Snapchat password.
- Download links expire after one hour. If a button stops working, look the username up again.
- Stories disappear from Snapchat after a while; if a snap is gone from the profile, it is gone here too.
What else can you save on Mac?
Which other devices are covered?
Other tools
Frequently asked questions
Where do downloaded Snapchat profile pictures go on Mac?
Chrome on Mac saves to /Users/<username>/Downloads by default; Safari saves to the folder set in Safari › Settings › General › File download location.
How do I find a downloaded Snapchat file on Mac?
Click Safari's downloads button near the top-right of the window; in Chrome, use the download icon next to the address bar.
Which app opens the file on Mac?
Preview or Quick Look.
Can I choose another download folder on Mac?
Safari › Settings › General › File download location. Chrome: Settings › Downloads › Change.
What is the best quality I can get?
The stored size of the picture, up to 1080×1080 in our tests (it varies by account; the profile page itself shows a 90-pixel copy). The tool never upscales a file or relabels it as HD or 4K.
Do I need an app or a Snapchat account?
No. It runs in the browser (Safari or Chrome), with no sign-up and no app to install.
Is SnapViewer part of Snapchat?
No. SnapViewer is an independent tool and is not affiliated with Snap Inc. It only reads public profiles.
Can I see private or friends-only content?
No. Only public profiles and public Stories can be read without logging in. Anything shared with friends only is out of reach, by design.
Why is the picture sharper than on Snapchat's page?
The page shows a 90-pixel copy; the tool asks for the stored version, up to 1080×1080 in our tests. It is the same picture, not an upscale.
Can I see the profile picture of a private account?
No. Personal accounts do not show a profile photo to the public, and the tool cannot get around that.
Guides
Profile picture — Open a public profile picture in its stored size and save it.