Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. One of the key features of Snapchat is the variety of creative tools it offers, like lenses, filters, and stickers. But does Snapchat support dynamic type?
What is dynamic type?
Dynamic type refers to text that automatically adapts in size and appearance based on a user’s device settings. It allows the text size to increase or decrease as needed to make content more readable and accessible to the user.
For example, users who have vision impairments or older users may go into their device settings and increase the default text size. Apps that support dynamic type will automatically resize text to match the user’s customized preference.
Dynamic type helps optimize the reading experience for users based on their needs and settings. It provides an inclusive solution so various users can comfortably view and interact with app content.
Does Snapchat currently support dynamic type?
At this time, Snapchat does not natively support dynamic type across the entire app experience. The text, interface labels, and other content do not automatically resize based on a user’s device text size settings.
There are a few exceptions where Snapchat does adapt text size. For example, when users add text to a Snap or Story, they can pinch and zoom to increase the text size manually. This makes the text appear larger, but it is a manual adjustment by the user rather than automatic dynamic type.
Additionally, some labels and buttons in the Snapchat interface may increase in size if a user has their device set to larger default text. But most of the Snapchat text does not resize or reflow appropriately. Thus, the Snapchat app lacks full support for dynamic type.
Examples of Snapchat’s lack of dynamic type support
Here are some examples where Snapchat’s text fails to dynamically adapt based on custom device text size settings:
- Text within Snaps and Stories stays the same size, regardless of the device’s text setting. Users have to manually pinch/zoom to increase text.
- Interface labels like “Stories” and “Spotlight” remain static in size.
- Menu options and icons do not adjust or reflow with increased text size.
- Pre-set text options for captions, stickers, lenses, etc. ignore device text size settings.
- Text in Chat stays the original size, with no dynamic resizing.
As illustrated above, most of Snapchat lacks support for dynamic type and fails to provide an optimized reading experience for users that increase their device’s default text size settings. The text just remains small and static, rather than enlarging dynamically.
Why dynamic type support matters
Having full support for dynamic type offers some important benefits and accessibility advantages, including:
- Makes content more readable and comfortable to view based on a user’s needs and preferences.
- Accommodates users with low vision, visual impairments, or cognitive disabilities.
- Optimizes legibility for older users experiencing age-related vision changes.
- Adapts seamlessly for users that require larger text due to conditions like dyslexia.
- Provides a more customizable and inclusive experience for diverse users.
Apps that dynamically resize text and interface elements provide better usability and accessibility. Snapchat’s lack of comprehensive dynamic type support is a disadvantage for users that rely on increased text sizes.
Workarounds for Snapchat’s lack of dynamic type
Since Snapchat currently lacks full support for dynamic type, users have to rely on some workarounds and manual adjustments to increase text size, including:
- Pinching and zooming in on text within Snaps/Stories.
- Using the “Larger Text” option under Android display size settings.
- Adjusting font size under iPhone display accommodations settings.
- Increasing the entire system font size at the device level.
- Using Snapchat’s text zoom feature for Chat conversations.
- Viewing Snapchat on a tablet with a larger screen.
However, these workarounds have limitations. System-wide text size changes impact all apps, not just Snapchat. And having to manually zoom in on every Snap is tedious. So full dynamic type would provide a much better experience.
Looking forward: Will Snapchat add dynamic type?
Snapchat has not officially commented on their plans regarding dynamic type support. However, there are signs that they may add more robust text size adjustments in the future:
- In 2019, Snapchat introduced a new Chat text zoom feature, indicating an interest in accessibility.
- Parent company Snap continues to focus on inclusiveness and usability.
- Other social media apps like Instagram and Twitter have dynamically resizing text.
- There are petitions and requests from users for Snapchat to support dynamic type.
Hopefully, Snapchat will recognize the benefits of dynamic type and expand their text size flexibility. The demand is certainly there from users that rely on larger text sizes for an optimal mobile experience. With social media competition already offering dynamic type, it would make sense for Snapchat to address this in the future.
Conclusion
At this time, Snapchat lacks full support for dynamic type, which means text in the app does not automatically adjust based on a user’s device text size preferences. This makes Snapchat less usable for people with low vision or other needs for larger text. While limited workarounds exist, comprehensive dynamic type would create a better, more customizable experience for many users. There is room for improvement in Snapchat’s text resizing capabilities to provide greater accessibility.