The Time-Sensitive feature was introduced by Apple in September 2021 with iOS 15. It allows users to receive notifications even when their iPhone is in Focus or Do Not Disturb (DND) mode. In 2023, Snapchat started using this feature to prioritize certain notifications. Some users find this annoying as it bypasses DND settings. If this bothers you, don’t worry. This guide will explain what time-sensitive notifications are on Snapchat, identify which messages are considered time-sensitive, and show you how to turn them off.
What Does “Time Sensitive” Mean on Snapchat?
On Snapchat, “time-sensitive” notifications are those that require your immediate attention, allowing certain messages to be prioritized over others. Both Android and iPhone devices feature Do Not Disturb (DND) or Focus modes, which help you control who can reach you and which apps can send notifications.
While minimizing distractions is beneficial, it might cause you to miss important alerts, such as emergency messages or notifications for special events. Time-sensitive notifications act like a VIP pass, breaking through DND or Focus Mode to appear on your lock screen for at least an hour, ensuring you don’t overlook them.
The criteria Snapchat uses to determine which notifications are time-sensitive remain somewhat unclear. Like the Snapchat Planets feature (Friend Solar System), it seems to depend on interaction frequency, including the number of snaps exchanged, conversations held, and stories shared. Snapchat designates certain notifications as time-sensitive to ensure you don’t miss important updates.
Why Snapchat Uses ‘Time-Sensitive’ Label?
Snapchat uses the “time-sensitive” label for snaps that require prompt attention, such as live events or urgent messages. This feature helps ensure that users don’t miss content that is important at the moment but may become less relevant as time passes.
How Do Time-Sensitive Notifications Work On Snapchat?
Time-sensitive notifications on Snapchat are designed to highlight messages that require immediate response. Snapchat uses a specific algorithm to decide which notifications to mark as time-sensitive. This decision is based on various factors like your relationship with the sender and the message’s nature. These notifications can bypass the Do Not Disturb (DND) mode and appear on your iPhone’s lock screen for about an hour. While they are helpful to keep up with crucial messages, some users might find them intrusive. Knowing how to manage these alerts can help you customize your Snapchat experience to better fit your preferences.
How To Turn Off Time-Sensitive Notifications On Snapchat
While time-sensitive notifications on Snapchat are great for ensuring you don’t miss important updates, they can sometimes be overwhelming. Here’s how to disable/turn off these notifications if you find them intrusive.
On iPhone:
Time-sensitive notifications are exclusive to iPhones, allowing certain messages or snaps to bypass iOS Focus Modes. To turn off these notifications, here’s the detailed procedure:
Go to your iPhone’s Settings.
Tap ‘Notifications’.
Scroll to find ‘Snapchat’ and select it.
Toggle off ‘Time Sensitive Notifications’.
Alternative Method for iPhone:
Open Settings on your phone.
Scroll down and tap on ‘Snapchat’.
Select ‘Notifications’ and turn off the ‘Time-Sensitive Notification’ toggle.
On Android Phone:
Android devices do not currently support Snapchat’s time-sensitive notifications, but you can still manage and customize these notification settings. Here’s the process:
Go to “Settings” on your phone.
Tap the “Apps” and then on “App Permissions”
Scroll to select the “Snapchat” tab
Tap “Manage Notifications”.
Turn off the “Allow Notification” toggle (if it is turned on)
These steps will help you manage how you receive notifications on Snapchat, making the app experience more suited to your preferences.
How To Turn On/Get Time-Sensitive Notifications On Snapchat
To enable time-sensitive notifications on Snapchat, ensuring you stay informed about urgent messages, simply follow these steps on your iPhone:
- Go to your device’s Settings.
- Select ‘Notifications’.
- Find and tap on ‘Snapchat’.
- Toggle on the ‘Time Sensitive Notifications’ option.
This action activates alerts for crucial updates, helping you stay connected to important events, updates, and messages.
How To Make Someone Time-Sensitive On Snapchat
Unfortunately, Snapchat itself doesn’t offer a built-in feature to directly apply a “time-sensitive” label to someone’s messages. However, here are some strategies to create a sense of urgency on Snapchat:
- Craft a compelling message: Instead of just sending a snap, write a message in the chat beforehand that emphasizes the urgency. For example, say “Hey! Quick question, need your answer ASAP” before sending the snap.
- Use emojis strategically: Add emojis that convey urgency like a fire emoji, an exclamation mark (!), or an hourglass⏳ next to your message.
- Send a disappearing photo/video with a short timer: This creates a sense of urgency as the recipient will only have a limited window (3 or 10 seconds) to view it.
- Mention a deadline: If there’s a specific time you need a response, let them know in the message. “Let me know by [time] if you can make it.”
- Follow up politely: If they don’t respond within a reasonable timeframe, send a friendly follow-up message reminding them about your question.
Remember, even with these tactics, getting someone to respond quickly depends on how busy they are and how they use Snapchat. It’s always best to be respectful and understanding if there’s a delay.
FAQ’s:
It’s possible that message notifications are not activated for your Snapchat app. Please check that the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode or similar settings have not been enabled for this contact. Additionally, ensure that time-sensitive notifications are turned on so you can receive priority alerts.
Yes, they do. The time-sensitive label doesn’t affect the duration a snap remains visible on your lock screen for about an hour (or disappears after opening). This feature will ensure the user won’t miss any important messages.
They appear when Snapchat’s algorithm determines a snap or message is urgent.
The notification itself doesn’t have a specific duration; it depends on the type of message received. However, in most cases, it lasts for about an hour on the lock screen of your phone before disappearing.
Yes, if you follow a public profile and their content is marked as time-sensitive, you’ll receive alerts.
Conclusion:
Understanding time-sensitive notifications on Snapchat can greatly enhance your user experience, ensuring you never miss out on what’s most important. This feature is particularly available for iOS users but Android users can manually filter out the notifications. Whether you choose to enable or disable these notifications, Snapchat provides the flexibility to customize how you receive urgent content, keeping you connected in a way that fits your lifestyle.
If you have any queries on Snapchat, feel free to post them in the below comments section. We will respond promptly to resolve them.
