Snapchat Introduces ‘Arrival Notifications’ to Keep Friends Informed of Your Journeys
Snapchat has unveiled a new feature called Arrival Notifications, designed to automatically inform friends when users reach specific destinations. This enhancement builds upon the previously introduced Home Safe feature, which notifies selected contacts when a user arrives home safely.
Expanding Beyond ‘Home Safe’
The Home Safe feature, launched in July 2025, allowed users to set their home location and notify friends upon arrival. With Arrival Notifications, Snapchat extends this functionality to any location, enabling users to set alerts for various destinations such as workplaces, schools, or social venues. This expansion caters to users who wish to keep their friends and family informed about their whereabouts beyond just returning home.
How ‘Arrival Notifications’ Work
To utilize Arrival Notifications, users must first share their location with trusted friends. This is done by accessing the friendship profile, selecting Arrival Notifications, and choosing a location on the map. Users can assign a personalized name to the location, such as Gym or Office, and decide whether the alert should be a one-time notification or recur regularly. Once set, Snapchat will automatically notify the selected friend upon the user’s arrival at the specified location.
Privacy and Control
Snapchat emphasizes user privacy with this feature. Location sharing on Snap Map is disabled by default, ensuring that no one can view a user’s location or receive arrival alerts without explicit consent. Users have full control over who receives these notifications and can manage or disable them at any time.
Integration with Snap Map
The introduction of Arrival Notifications aligns with Snapchat’s ongoing enhancements to Snap Map, a feature that has grown to over 400 million monthly active users since its launch in 2017. Snap Map allows users to see friends’ locations and discover local events, and the new notification feature adds a layer of proactive communication, reducing the need for manual check-ins.
Competing in the Location-Sharing Space
By introducing Arrival Notifications, Snapchat positions itself as a competitor to other location-sharing services like Life360 and Apple’s Find My. These platforms offer similar functionalities, but Snapchat’s integration within its social media ecosystem provides a seamless experience for users already engaged with the app.
User Experience and Safety
The Arrival Notifications feature is designed to enhance user experience by automating routine communications about arrivals. Whether it’s notifying a friend that you’ve arrived at a study group or letting a family member know you’ve reached your destination safely, this feature aims to provide peace of mind and streamline communication.
Setting Up ‘Arrival Notifications’
To set up Arrival Notifications, follow these steps:
1. Share Your Location: Ensure that you have granted Snapchat permission to access your location and that you’re sharing it with the friend you wish to notify.
2. Access Friendship Profile: Open the chat with the friend, tap on their Bitmoji or profile icon to access their friendship profile.
3. Set Arrival Notification: Scroll down to find the Arrival Notifications option, tap on it, and select the desired location on the map.
4. Customize Alert: Assign a personalized name to the location and choose between a one-time or recurring alert.
5. Save Settings: Confirm your settings to activate the notification.
Managing Notifications
Users can manage or disable Arrival Notifications at any time by revisiting the friendship profile and adjusting the settings. This flexibility ensures that users have control over their privacy and communication preferences.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s Arrival Notifications feature represents a thoughtful addition to its suite of location-based services, offering users a convenient and automated way to keep friends informed about their arrivals at various destinations. By prioritizing user privacy and control, Snapchat continues to enhance its platform to meet the evolving needs of its community.
