Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. One of Snapchat’s signature features is its filters, which allow users to add fun effects and augmented reality to their snaps. Users are wondering if they can also use Snapchat’s filters during a Snapchat video call.
Snapchat introduced video calling in 2018 as a new way for friends to communicate on the app. Video calling on Snapchat is a fun way to chat face-to-face and see your friends’ reactions in real-time.
Snapchat’s video calling feature is different from other apps because it opens right into the camera. This means you don’t have to click into a separate screen to start the video call. As soon as your friend accepts the call, you’ll be looking at each other through the camera.
Video calling on Snapchat also includes some of the app’s signature features, like lenses (Snapchat’s version of filters). During a one-on-one video call, you can swipe through the lens carousel at the bottom of the screen to add fun effects to your face.
But can you use lenses during a group video call, where you have multiple friends on one call? Or are lenses only available for 1-on-1 video chats? This article will explore the features available for Snapchat video calls and whether filters can be used on group calls.
Snapchat’s Video Calling Features
Let’s first go over the features available for Snapchat’s video calling:
- One-on-one video calls – Video chat with one friend at a time. Lenses/filters can be used.
- Group video calls – Video chat with up to 16 friends at once. Some call features may be limited.
- Lenses – Swipe through different augmented reality effects and filters for your face.
- Filters – Add overlay effects that modify the overall look of your video.
- Bitmoji – Use your personalized Bitmoji avatar in the call.
- Backgrounds – Choose fun backdrops to display behind you.
- Camera swapping – Switch between front and rear cameras.
- Audio/Video toggle – Mute your microphone or turn off your camera.
As you can see from the list, lenses and filters are highlighted as features for video calls in Snapchat. But it’s unclear if those features are available for both one-on-one and group calls, or just exclusively for one-on-one.
Using Lenses and Filters in 1-on-1 Calls
When using Snapchat’s video calling for a one-on-one chat, lenses and filters can definitely be used to liven up the conversation.
Here are the steps for using lenses during a 1-on-1 Snapchat video call:
- Start a video call with a friend in Snapchat.
- Once your friend accepts the call, tap the screen to reveal the lens carousel at the bottom.
- Swipe left or right through the lens carousel to preview and select different lenses.
- Apply the lens you want by tapping on it. The lens will be applied to your face.
- You can tap the screen again to change to a new lens at any time during the call.
Applying filters works the same way – select a filter from the carousel by swiping through and tapping on the one you want. The filter will be added as an overlay to your video feed.
So in 1-on-1 video calls, Snapchatters have the full range of lenses and filters available to use for fun effects during their chat. The ability to swap lenses and filters mid-call makes video chatting feel more dynamic and versatile.
Using Lenses in Group Video Calls
What about in a group video call with multiple Snapchat friends? Can everyone in the call take advantage of lenses there as well?
Unfortunately, Snapchat lenses are not available during group video chats. The lens carousel disappears when you are on a call with multiple people. This means you cannot swipe through or select any lenses to use on yourself or your friends in the group call.
However, some pre-defined filters can still be used during a Snapchat group video call:
- Color Filters – Add a tint like black & white or sepia to the group call video.
- Speed Filters – Speed up or slow down the video feed.
- Timestamp – Add a timestamp overlay to the call.
- Weather Filter – Show the current weather conditions on the video.
These basic filters help spice up a group call, but the more complex augmented reality lenses cannot be accessed on group calls. Those only work for regular 1-on-1 video chatting on Snapchat at this time.
Why Lenses Are Limited on Group Calls
There are a few potential technical reasons why Snapchat limits lenses on group video calls:
- Processing power – Complex lenses need more computing resources. Group calls already require a lot of processing to transmit video for multiple participants.
- Synchronization – Lenses likely involve visual synchronization across all callers that is difficult with multiple feeds.
- Similarity – Group call participants would need to use the same lens simultaneously. The variety of lenses could be lost.
- Features – Snapchat may have prioritized other features over lenses for the group call experience.
Overall, the challenges of coordinating lenses across multiple live video feeds may be too technically demanding compared to 1-on-1 video calls. Snapchat may have decided lenses were better suited for solo calls at the current time.
When Could Lenses Come to Group Calls?
Given how popular lenses are on Snapchat, many users are eager for these augmented reality effects to become available on group video calls someday. Here are some possibilities around when lens capability could be added:
- Better phone cameras – As smartphone camera hardware improves, especially depth sensors, this could enable better real-time AR effects.
- 5G connectivity – Faster 5G networks may provide the bandwidth needed for complex lenses on group calls.
- Backend infrastructure – Snapchat is likely working on backend improvements to their video chat infrastructure that could support lenses for multiple callers.
- AR technology advances – As augmented reality matures, the capability to apply lenses in real-time group settings should improve.
Snapchat has not officially commented on their roadmap for supporting lenses on group calls. But they have rapidly innovated and evolved their apps capabilities before. With AR becoming more mainstream, lenses on group chats seems like a natural feature addition down the line.
Conclusion
As of now, Snapchat lenses are not available to use during group video calls, only for one-on-one video chats. The more advanced augmented reality lenses disappear when you start a group call, limiting Snapchatters to basic filters like color tints or speed adjustments.
Technical challenges around coordinating lenses across multiple live video feeds likely factor into why Snapchat reserves lenses for solo calls. As phone cameras, networks, and AR tech improves in the future, support for lenses on group video calls could emerge.
For the time being, Snapchat users will need to enjoy the full selection of lenses during 1-on-1 chats. Group video callers are limited to less complex filters. But the ability to video chat with multiple friends at once is still an exciting new way to hang out on Snapchat, with or without the lenses.
| Video call type | Lenses available? | Filters available? |
|---|---|---|
| One-on-one call | Yes | Yes |
| Group call (3+ people) | No | Some basic filters only |
3 Additional Questions About Snapchat Video Calling
Can you video call on Snapchat between Android and iPhone?
Yes, Snapchat’s video calling feature works between Android and iOS devices. You can start a cross-platform video call with any of your Snapchat friends, regardless of what device they are using. The video quality and performance may vary slightly depending on each person’s mobile device capabilities and internet connection speed.
How many people can be on a Snapchat group video call?
Snapchat currently allows up to 16 people total on a group video call. When initiating a group call, you can select up to 15 friends to include. Group calls work for any mix of iOS and Android devices across the 16 participants.
Can you screen record a Snapchat video call?
No, screen recording is blocked during Snapchat video calls. This applies to both one-on-one and group video calls. Snapchat does not allow screen recording to protect the privacy of video conversations and prevent content from being copied without permission. You will be unable to capture a Snapchat call via screen recording apps or features.
Comparison of Snapchat With Top Video Call Apps
| App | Max Group Call Size | Filters/Lenses | Screen Recording Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapchat | 16 people | On 1-on-1 calls only | No |
| 8 people | No | No | |
| FaceTime | 32 people | Some filters | No |
| Zoom | 100 people (free plan) | Yes | No |
| Skype | 50 people | Some filters | Yes |
This comparison shows Snapchat’s current 16 person group call limit. It has robust AR lens options during 1-on-1 calls, but lags other apps in enabling lenses/filters during group calls. Snapchat also maintains stricter control against screen recording compared to some competitors.
Ways to Use Snapchat Video Calling
Here are some fun ways Snapchat users have gotten creative with video calls:
Visual Lounges With Friends
Open up a group video lounge just to hang out visually with your best friends. Chat together while doing solo activities as if you’re all in the same space.
Long Distance Relationship Check-ins
Schedule one-on-one video chats with a long distance significant other to maintain intimacy and connection across distances.
Remote Study Sessions
Create a study group video call to simulate library sessions with classmates while everyone is at home.
Coordinated Game Nights
Play games like charades or Pictionary over video chat to bring game night online.
Cross-Country Tours
Give friends a live tour of your new home city or college campus by taking them around via video call.
Remote Work Meetings
Use Snapchat video calls for quick teleconferencing needs, even for remote work meetings.
Live Event Attendance
Go to concerts, shows, or other events together from different locations by streaming them over video chat.
Snapchat’s video calling opens up creative ways to feel together when physically apart. Both 1-on-1 and group call options meet different visual communication needs.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s video calling feature provides an engaging way to chat face-to-face with friends. For one-on-one calls, Snapchatters can take full advantage of the app’s signature lenses and filters during their conversations. But in group video calls, lens usage is currently limited likely due to technical reasons.
Snapchat may eventually evolve group video to support lenses as hardware improves and AR technology advances. For now, users can enjoy overlay filters or switch to a 1-on-1 video call if they want the full lens experience. Overall, Snapchat’s video calling remains a fun and spontaneous way to connect visually with friends near and far.