Snapchat was one of the first social media platforms to introduce fun voice filters that allowed users to change their voice in recordings. The voice changing filters were a hit when they launched in 2016, allowing Snapchatters to sound like a chipmunk or a robot. However, in 2020 Snapchat removed all of the iconic voice filters from the app, much to the disappointment of longtime users. So does Snapchat have any voice filters anymore in 2023? Let’s take a look at the history of Snapchat’s voice filters and what options currently exist for changing up your voice in Snaps.
The Rise and Fall of Snapchat’s Voice Filters
When Snapchat first introduced voice filters in 2016, they were considered innovative and unique. Some of the first voice filters included:
- Chipmunk – sped up your voice to sound high-pitched
- Helium – gave your voice a squeaky, airy quality
- Robot – added a robotic filter
- Old man – lowered the pitch of your voice
- Baby – made your voice sound younger
These filters were accessed through the microphone icon when recording a Snap and instantly became popular for adding humor to Snaps. The filters enabled users to remix their voices and essentially create audio memes. People enjoyed playing around with the filters and even using them in more creative ways, like duetting songs with the chipmunk filter.
The voice filters were clearly resonating with Snapchat’s young user base. For the next few years, Snapchat retained the key voice filters and even added new options like a demon filter. However, in 2020 Snapchat decided to remove all of the classic voice filters in an app update.
Losing the voice filters was a big disappointment for longtime Snapchat users who had come to love the humorous audio effects. While Snapchat likely removed the filters due to waning popularity or wanting to refine their app, the change left the platform without any built-in voice filters. Users had to rely solely on third-party apps if they wanted to alter their voices in Snaps.
This brings us to the current state of Snapchat in 2023. Let’s look at what voice filter options exist three years after the iconic filters disappeared.
Current Voice Filter Options on Snapchat
In 2023, Snapchat still does not have any built-in voice filters like it offered between 2016-2020. The current Snapchat app does not include any features to directly change your voice through pitch, speed, accents, or other audio effects.
However, that doesn’t mean there are no options at all for altering your voice. Here are some ways Snapchat users can still achieve a voice filter effect:
Use Lenses with Built-In Voice Effects
While classic stand-alone voice filters are gone, some Snapchat lenses will modify your voice when used. Here are a few examples of lenses that impact your voice:
- Anime lenses – adds an anime filter and pitched up, cutesy voice
- Disney princess lenses – princess filter and higher-pitched voice
- Squeaky rodent lenses – squeaky chipmunk voice
- Deep voice lenses – lowered pitch growly voice
The selection comes and goes as lenses rotate daily. But exploring the featured lenses can turn up occasional options with built-in voice effects for free.
Use Third-Party Apps
Although native Snapchat voice filters are gone, third-party apps provide ways to change your voice before uploading to Snapchat. Some options include:
- Voice Changer Plus – create customized voice effects and accents
- VoiceTooner – pitch/speed adjustment and presets like chipmunk
- Voicemod – transform voice with megaphone, robot, and more
These tools give you control over modifying your voice, then you can simply export and upload the changed audio to Snapchat as you would an unmodified clip.
Use Audio Editing Apps
Basic audio editing apps provide filters and effects that can alter your voice when applied to an audio clip. Options like tuning pitch, adjusting speed/tempo, adding echo, and more can produce voice filter-like effects. Some apps to explore include:
- CapCut – editing app with built-in audio filters
- WavePad – adjust pitch/speed and apply effects
- Audacity – open source editor with tempo and pitch options
So while it takes some extra workarounds, achieving the classic Snapchat voice filter vibe is still possible through clever use of lenses, third-party apps, and audio editing tools.
Will Snapchat Ever Bring Back Voice Filters?
Given that it’s been over 3 years since Snapchat removed the original set of built-in voice filters, it seems unlikely they will reintroduce that exact feature. However, there are a few factors that give hope for some type of voice filter comeback:
- Snapchat is still innovating with lenses and audio features, like its Cameo voice clone tool and voice-powered lenses. So they may build upon these tools.
- Vocal effects remain popular, as evidenced by users turning to third-party apps. Snapchat may want to bring that capability back natively.
- Voice altering capability fits naturally with Snapchat’s fun, playful vibe. The filters align well with brand identity.
While Snapchat may never revive the iconic original voice filters like Helium and Old Man, there are opportunities to incorporate similar audio effects natively into lenses or a voice editing suite within the app. Especially if they find users yearn for built-in effects over third-party workarounds, Snapchat may look to fill that gap in a new way.
Conclusion
In summary, Snapchat no longer has the classic standalone voice filters it offered between 2016-2020. However, you can find some limited vocal effects within certain lenses. More robust voice changing can be achieved through third-party apps and audio editing tools. Given Snapchat’s history of voice filters and users’ continued interest in vocal effects, there is a chance Snapchat could bring back built-in voice manipulation features in some capacity down the line. But the original set of voice filters likely won’t return. For now, Snapchatters have to get creative with lenses, external apps, and editing if they want to alter their voices on Snapchat.