Snapchat is one of the social media success stories and is here to say. It seems like the simple ideas really are the best with the ability to send photos and video that are only available for a few seconds a real hit. Here's our complete guide to Snapchat and how to use Snapchat including Face Swap, lenses, filters, geofilters and on PC.
If you're in any doubt as to Snapchat's success then get your head round the fact is has more than 100 million daily users globally. Although it started with just photos, it now records 8 billion video views per day and has even launched its own smartglasses called Snapchat Spectacles.
Following its success, Snapchat gave the iOS and Android apps a makeover with an improved, cleaner user interface and the introduction of a handful of new features.
In this article we're going to look at how to do all kinds of things in Snapchat, sometimes with a breif overview with a link to a more in-depth and step by step guide.
How to update Snapchat
We're going to be talking about many of the latest features in this article so you'll need to make sure you have the latest version of the app first. Find out how to update Snapchat.
Snapchat update: What's new in the redesigned Snapchat?
Following a successful 2016, Snapchat released an update (10.0) in January 2017 that overhauled the Snapchat UI, and introduced a handful of new features to the app. So, what's different? Apart from the obvious changes in design on the Chat and Story pages, there's a new Search bar available on the Camera section of the app. Tap the Search bar to bring up a Quick Chat window that displays the people you've recently spoken to via Snapchat. Simply tap on the profile icon of the person you want to speak to, and you'll be taken to the relevant Snapchat chat.
Along with the Quick Chat menu, there's also New Friends, Quick Add and Contacts menus. The New Friends menu is self-explanatory, listing a handful of your recently-added friends, while the Quick Add menu suggests Snapchatters that you might know, and finally, Contacts displays Snapchat users via your smartphone's address book.
Last but not least, there's a new feature similar to the clone tool on Photoshop. Once you've taken your Snap, simply tap the scissors in the top-right hand corner and outline the area you'd like to clone. Once the selection has been cloned, simply move it (and reshape it with two fingers like with other stickers) and let go to place it. This can be done as many times as you want!
Screenshot without them knowing
With photos only being viewable for a maximum of 10 seconds, many users will take a screenshot to immortalise images – potentially to post them on other social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Snapchat built in a system to notify users if a snap they sent got screenshotted, however, there's a way of doing it so they don't know. If you want to be sneaky, find out how to screenshot in Snapchat without them knowing here.
How to use new Snapchat Playlists
Snapchat has been updated again and now puts your friends first. Previously, Auto Advance made it difficult to choose which friend's story you wanted to watch, automatically playing one after the other. Now you can select the friend whose story you want to watch, and even create playlists of various friends' stories. You just tap on the thumbnails next to your friends' names in the order you want to create your playlist, then press play at the bottom of the screen.
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How to use Snapchat lenses
Lenses are one of the most popular features of Snapchat - after the ability to send videos/photos that expire after 10 seconds, of course. It seems that Snapchat has also noticed this, with the photo-sharing giants offering the ability for its customers to buy (with real life money) lenses to be used at any time. The firm has since scrapped the idea of selling Lenses, and to stop the feature becoming stagnated, has introduced a new system. Instead of offering the same range of lenses on a day-to-day basis, the selection is updated daily, removing the oldest Snapchat lens and replacing it with a brand new one. Don't worry, though - if you did buy any lenses, these will still be permanently available to you.
One of the most confusing things to new Snapchat users is how to access these lenses. Turn the camera so your face is on the phone's screen as if you were to take a selfie, then tap and hold on your face until a mesh appears. Now release. Snapchat will load several lenses to the side of the capture button, which you can slide through to access. Many will require you to open your mouth to get the full effect - you'll feel (and probably look) silly doing so in public, but at least you now understand why the kids are pulling such strange faces.
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How to face swap in Snapchat
One of the most popular filters right now is Face Swap, which, you guessed it, swaps faces.There's also a new face swap feature in Snapchat as of 22 April that introduces the ability to face swap with a photo from your phone's photo library.
How to delete Snapchat messages
Snapchat also has a messaging section of the app where you can type text and also send stickers. You might not want these to remain available so check out our guide on deleting messages in Snapchat.
How to make and submit Snapchat geofilters
Geofilters are special filters that you only have access to in certain locations, so you might get a range of options if you're on a day out in London. But did you know you can make your own?
How to use Snapchat on PC or laptop
Snapchat is a mobile app so you are no doubt using it on your smartphone or perhaps a tablet. However, you can use it on PC or laptop so find out how.
How to add emoji to Snapchat video
If you're running the latest version of the Snapchat app you can add emoji stickers to your videos. These can be pinned to anything in the video, and will move with that thing. They're resizable, too.
To add emoji stickers to a Snapchat video just tap the add sticker icon and choose an emoji, then press and hold to pin on your Snapchat video.
How to use new Snapchat Chat 2.0
First, here's a list of all of the new changes in Chat 2.0:
- 200 Stickers available in private chats.
- Video Notes that let you record 10 seconds of video that'll loop when your friend watches.
- Audio Notes that let you record audio if you fancy replying in song or can't type right now.
- Video and Audio Calls that turns Snapchat into a phone alternative and brings it closer to rivals like Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp.
- Multiple photos can be sent in Chat 2.0 at once.
- Send photos during video and audio calls.
To access Chat 2.0, swipe right on a contact you wish to talk to. This'll open a Chat window with that contact.
Tap the image on the left to send multiple images, the phone icon to start an audio call, the circle in the centre to open the camera, the video icon to start a video call or the smiley face to access stickers.
You can tap and hold on the phone icon to record and send an audio message, and the same goes for the video icon for a video message.
Note that your friend will need to have updated to the new version of Snapchat if you want to use these features with them.
How to download Snapchat videos
Screenshotting photos is one thing but how to you download a video in Snapchat? It's not as easy as taking a screenshot but we have some tricks up our sleeve and the sender won't even know you've done it. Find out how here.
How to reply to Snapchat stories
An integral part of the Snapchat experience is the Snapchat Story, which displays a collection of videos and photos you've taken over a period of 24 hours, and can be viewed (and replayed) by friends. With the latest update, Stories automatically advance meaning you
But what if you want to reply to a specific Snapchat amongst th'll move straight on to the next story in your contacts list once the first is finished.e collection of videos and photos in your friends Story?
With the latest update, Snapchat has officially added story replies. When watching a friends (no doubt hilarious) Snapchat story, you can reply to a specific photo or video by swiping up from the bottom of the display, opening a new chat window. Simply type your message, hit send, and your friend will recieve the message along with a snapshot of the photo/video you're replying to. Not the most groundbreaking addition ever, but it should make replying to Snapchat Stories a little bit easier in future!
How to use Snapchat Slo-mo and rewind filters
After you shoot a video in the latest version of the app, simply swipe left or right until you see three arrows (rewind) or a snail symbol (slo-mo). The rewind filter is useful if you want to make 'magic' effects such as impossible catches (since you're actually throwing something away from you).
How to use new Snapchat Force Touch
Force Touch integration is currently pretty basic. You press hard on the Snapchat icon and get options to start a new chat or add a new friend.
How to use Snapchat lenses
Back in September, Snapchat added new lenses. The app does warn that this is only available on 'newer Android devices'. See also: Snapchat users get new year hack: 4.6 million phone numbers revealed.
Open the app and make sure your front facing-camera is active. Now long press the screen on your face to load the lenses. You can scroll horizontally through them and for most you'll need to follow an instruction for it to work properly such as opening your mouth or raising your eyebrows.
How to use purchase extra Snapchat replays (in-app purchases)
Until 22 April, you'd have to pay for replays via an in-app purchase that was 79p for three, but now you'll get one replay for free after which you'll have to pay.
What are Snapchat Trophies?
Swipe down from the main screen to bring up your personal Snapchat code and you'll see a new trophy icon above it. Tap it and you'll see what trophies you've managed to unlock - they're basically achievements like you get on computer games.
At the time of writing there are 16 to unlock and we've only managed the first one (reaching a score of 500) so we better go send some more snaps. Tapping the locked ones simply displays question marks so you'll have to work out how to unlock them.
How to skip a story or snap
If you've had multiple snaps from the same contact, or what to view someone's story without it taking forever you can skip each photo or video whenever you're ready. When you're holding one finger on the screen to view a snap, simply tap anywhere else with another finger to skip to the next one.
How to video call in SnapChat
If you fancy chatting to a friend, swipe right on their name in your Snapchat inbox to begin. When you leave the chat screen, messages viewed by both you and your friend will be cleared.
The app will notify you if your friend is online when chatting, and if you're both chatting at the same time you simple have to press and hold to share live video.
How to use Snapchat filters
In similar fashion to Instagram, Snapchat has filters which you can add to your photos. However, they're not switched on by default so here's how to switch on filters in Snapchat.
Once you've taken a photo, simple swipe left or right and you'll see a message which says 'turn on filters'. Click the 'I want filters' button at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to the 'additional services' part of the settings menu where you can tick the filters box. Note that you'll need to enable location to be able to switch them on and for some to work properly.
How to use multiple Snapchat filters
It is possible to use more than one Snapchat filter at once. Having applied the first filter, hold your finger or thumb down on the image, preferably in the lower right side of the display, then at the same time swipe in from the left with another appendage. You should now see the second filter appear and you can cycle through them using the normal technique of swiping from the left. (See our separate guide on How to use two Snapchat filters at once.)
How to get Snapchat Replays
In the same 'additional services' settings (swipe left from main screen, hit cog wheel and select manage under additional services) you can switch on replay. Once you've switched it on, you can replay one snap every 24 hours.
Permission for others to replay your snaps is there by default and can't be switched off.
How to use Snapchat front-facing flash
You're probably using Snapchat to send selfies to other users but if you're in the dark then it's your rear camera which has a flash. Well you can now switch on front facing flash in the additional services menu.
This turns your screen white to provide some extra light for your photo when you take it. You can turn the front flash on and off in the top-left of the screen.
How to use Snapchat special text
if you like adding captions to your snaps then switch on 'special text' in, you've guess it, the additional services menu. Now when you add a caption, there's a 'T' at the top of the screen which you can tap to change the look.
How to change Snapchat number of best friends
While you're in the additional services menu, you can tweak how many friends appear in your best friends menu. Simply select it in the menu and choose how many you want it to be. There's a maximum of seven – we're not sure why.
How to delete Snapchat account
If despite all the above, you just want to get rid of Snapchat and go further than just uninstalling the app.
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