Snapchat Adds Arrival Notifications to Auto-Alert Friends When You Reach Locations

Key Highlights:

  • Snapchat introduces “Arrival Notifications” for automatic destination alerts.
  • Users can set one-time or recurring notifications for selected locations.
  • Alerts work only with trusted friends who have location-sharing permission.
  • The update builds on Snapchat’s growing Snap Map ecosystem with 400M+ users.

Snapchat has launched Arrival Notifications, a new safety feature that automatically alerts trusted contacts when users reach selected destinations. The update matters because it expands Snapchat’s location-sharing safety tools beyond “Home Safe,” helping users inform friends or family without sending manual messages.

What Are Snapchat Arrival Notifications?

The new Snapchat feature allows users to set automatic alerts that notify chosen friends when they arrive at a specific location. Unlike the earlier Home Safe option, the feature supports multiple places such as schools, offices, gyms, or travel stops.

Users can create both one-time and recurring alerts. For example, a weekly class or daily office arrival can trigger automatic notifications. Once sent, one-time alerts expire after delivery or within 24 hours.

How Does the Feature Work?

To enable alerts, users must first share their location with trusted friends through Snap Map. Location sharing remains off by default, meaning no one can track a user unless permission is granted.

After enabling sharing, users can open a friendship profile, select “Arrival Notifications,” and choose a location on the map. They can then assign a custom name and decide whether the alert should trigger once or repeatedly.

This setup ensures users stay in control of their privacy while automating routine check-ins.

Why Is Snapchat Expanding Location Safety Tools?

Snapchat continues to strengthen Snap Map, which now has more than 400 million monthly active users. Originally launched in 2017 as a location discovery tool, Snap Map has evolved into a platform for finding local hotspots, events, and safety tools.

Arrival Notifications also position Snapchat more directly against dedicated location-sharing apps such as Life360 and ecosystem tools like Apple’s Find My. By integrating safety alerts directly into a social platform, Snapchat aims to simplify everyday communication about travel and movement.

What It Means for Users

The new tool reduces the need for manual “I reached” messages, especially during travel or regular commutes. More importantly, the Snapchat update reflects a broader industry shift toward built-in digital safety features within social platforms.

As location-sharing tools become more common, Arrival Notifications highlight how social apps are blending communication, discovery, and safety into a single experience.

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