Adding a location to your Snapchat is a two-step process: take or select a photo, then tap the map icon and choose from suggested locations or search for a specific one
Snapchat's location feature lets you tag where a photo or video was taken. The app suggests nearby places automatically, or you can search for any location by name. Once you add a location, it appears as text or a small map on your snap before you send it — and you control whether your friends see it.
The location stays visible only on that single snap. It does not broadcast your real-time location to other users, and it does not update your location status in the app. You are straightforward labeling where a photo came from, the same way you might write "at the beach" on a printed photo.
Key Takeaways
- Snapchat suggests nearby locations automatically when you open the camera, but you can search for any location by typing its name.
- The location tag appears on your snap as text or a map sticker and is visible to anyone you send the snap to.
- Adding a location does not share your real-time location or turn on location tracking — it is just a label on that one photo.
- You can remove a location tag from a snap before sending it by tapping the location sticker and selecting remove.
- Location tags work on both photos and videos, and on snaps you send to friends or post to your story.
How to add a location when taking a new snap
Open Snapchat and tap the camera button to start a new snap. Take your photo or video the normal way. Once you have captured the image, look at the bottom of the screen — you will see several icons in a row. Tap the map icon (it looks like a location pin or small map). Snapchat will show you a list of nearby places.
If you see the location you want in the list, tap it. The location name will appear on your snap as a sticker. If the place you want is not in the suggestions, tap the search box at the top and type the location name. Snapchat will show matching results — tap the one you want. The location sticker is now attached to your snap and will stay there until you send it or remove it.
How to add a location to a snap you already saved
If you took a photo with your phone's camera or saved a snap earlier, you can still add a location to it. Open Snapchat and tap the camera button, then tap the memories icon (the ghost with a square inside it) at the bottom left. Find the photo or video you want and tap it to open it.
Once the snap is open, tap the map icon at the bottom. The same location suggestions will appear. Choose your location the same way — either tap a suggestion or search for a specific place. The location sticker will appear on the snap. You can now send it to friends or post it to your story with the location attached.
Searching for a specific location instead of using suggestions
The suggested locations Snapchat shows you are based on your phone's GPS, so they change depending on where you are. If you want to tag a location that is not nearby — or if you want to be more specific than the suggestions — use the search box instead.
When you tap the map icon, look for the search field at the top of the location list. Tap it and type the name of the place, neighborhood, city, or landmark you want. Snapchat will show you matching results. Tap the one that matches what you are looking for. This is useful if you want to tag a restaurant by its exact name, a neighborhood you are visiting, or a landmark that did not appear in the automatic suggestions.
Removing or changing a location tag before you send
If you added a location by mistake, or you want to change it to a different place, you can remove or replace it before sending the snap. Look at your snap — the location sticker will be visible somewhere on the image. Tap directly on the location sticker (the text or map that shows the place name).
A menu will appear with options. Tap "Remove" to delete the location tag entirely. If you want to change it to a different location instead, tap the map icon again and select a new place — the old location will be replaced. You can add, remove, or change locations as many times as you want before you send the snap.
Understanding what your friends see when you add a location
When you send a snap with a location tag to a friend, they will see the location name or map sticker on the snap itself. They can see where you said the photo was taken, but they cannot see your real-time location or track you. The location tag is just information you chose to include on that one snap — it is no different from writing "at the park" on a printed photo.
If you post a snap with a location to your story, everyone who views your story will see the location tag. The location does not update or change — it is fixed to that snap. Once you delete the snap or your story expires, the location tag disappears with it.
Location tags versus location services and map features
Snapchat has other location-related features that work differently from location tags. The app can show your friends your live location on a map if you turn on location sharing in settings — but that is a separate feature you have to turn on deliberately, and it is not the same as adding a location tag to a snap.
Location tags are just labels you add to individual snaps. They do not turn on location tracking, they do not broadcast where you are right now, and they do not affect your privacy settings. If you have not turned on location sharing in Snapchat settings, adding a location tag to a snap will not change that. The two features are independent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does adding a location tag let my friends track where I am?
No. A location tag is just a label on that one snap — it does not share your real-time location or turn on tracking. Your friends see the location name on the photo, but they cannot see where you are now or follow your movements. Location tracking is a separate feature in Snapchat settings that you have to turn on deliberately.
Can I add a location to a snap after I send it?
No. You can only add, remove, or change a location before you send the snap. Once you send it, the location tag is fixed. If you want to change the location, you would need to take a new snap or select the photo again from your memories and add a different location.
What if Snapchat does not suggest the location I want?
Use the search box instead of the suggestions. Tap the map icon, then tap the search field at the top and type the name of the place, restaurant, neighborhood, or landmark. Snapchat will show matching results. This works for any location, even if it is not nearby or in the automatic suggestions.
Do I have to turn on location services to add a location tag?
You do not have to, but Snapchat works better with location services turned on. If location services are off, Snapchat cannot suggest nearby places, so you will have to search for locations manually. Turning on location services in your phone settings lets Snapchat show you relevant suggestions, but it does not change what the location tag does.
Can I hide the location tag from certain friends?
No. If you send a snap with a location tag to a friend, they will see it. If you do not want someone to see the location, do not send them that snap, or remove the location tag before sending. You cannot choose to hide the tag from some friends while showing it to others on the same snap.