Finding your recently used Snapchat filters can be helpful if you want to quickly apply a filter you’ve used before without having to scroll through all available options. Here are some tips for easily accessing your recently used Snapchat filters on both iOS and Android devices:
Viewing Recently Used Filters on iOS
If you’re an iPhone user, accessing your recently used Snapchat filters is simple:
- Open the Snapchat app and tap the camera icon to open the camera viewfinder.
- Before taking a snap, tap the filters icon in the top right (it looks like a face with shapes around it).
- This will open the filters menu. At the very bottom, you’ll see a “Recently Used” section with small thumbnail previews of your latest used filters.
- Tap any filter in this section to immediately apply it to your snap.
The Recently Used section will display around 12-18 of your latest used Snapchat lenses and filters for quick access. This makes reusing filters you’ve recently tried out very easy.
Viewing Recently Used Filters on Android
The process is very similar for Android users:
- Open the Snapchat app and tap the camera icon.
- Before taking a snap, tap the filters icon in the top left (it looks like a face with shapes around it).
- In the filters menu that opens, swipe left until you reach the end. The last screen will be your “Recents” tab.
- This tab shows thumbnail previews of around 12-18 of your recently used Snapchat filters.
- Tap any filter to instantly apply it.
So on both iOS and Android devices, Snapchat makes your recently used filters easy to access in just a tap or two. This can save you time digging through the huge library of available lenses.
How Long Do Recently Used Filters Persist?
You might be wondering – how long do these recently used filters stay in your Recents tab for?
From my testing, it seems that Snapchat stores your recent filters for the last 7-14 days. If you use a filter every day, it will likely stay in your Recents for about two weeks maximum before dropping off.
Filters seem to be stored from most recent to oldest as well. So your most recently used filters appear first in the list.
Manually Clearing Recent Filters
If you want to manually clear your Recent filters tab and start fresh, there is a way to do this:
- Open Snapchat Settings
- Go to Filters & Lenses > Manage
- Here you will see a list of all your Saved and Recently Used filters
- Tap the three dot icon next to any filter
- Select ‘Remove from Recents’ to delete it
Doing this for each individual filter will wipe your Recently Used tab clean. It can be helpful if you want to remove filters you no longer like or want cluttering up your recents.
Using Quick Search for Filters
Beyond your Recently Used filters, Snapchat also has a filter search tool you can use to quickly find specific filters instead of endlessly scrolling:
- Open the filters menu
- Tap the magnifying glass icon at the top
- Type in keywords for the filter you want (e.g. “dog”, “space”, etc)
- Relevant results will appear – tap the one you want to use
The search tool is handy for tracking down filters based on a specific topic or theme.
Conclusion
Accessing and saving time with your recently used Snapchat filters is easy on both iOS and Android devices. Just open the filter menu and look for the Recents tab or section.
Filters seem to persist for 7-14 days before dropping off, but you can also manually remove any filter from your Recents tab. Quick Search is another fast way to find filters without endless scrolling.
With your Recent filters and Snapchat’s Search tool, you should be able to quickly find and reuse your favorite filters easily.
| Platform | Steps to View Recent Filters |
|---|---|
| iPhone/iOS |
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| Android Phone |
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Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger demographics like teens and young adults. Part of what makes Snapchat so engaging is the vast array of filters and lenses available to transform your selfies and videos into fun works of art.
Snapchat’s filter library is constantly growing, with new options added all the time based on trends, seasons, holidays, and more. There are filters to add virtual accessories like glasses, hairstyles, hats, and masks. Other filters alter colors, add geofilters based on your location, overlay the weather, and adjust facial features. Some lenses use advanced augmented reality to add CGI effects like fire, lightning, or waterfalls over your real-world environment.
With so many filter options to choose from, it can take a while to scroll through the whole library to find a specific filter you want to use again. That’s why having your recent filters easily accessible saves a lot of time.
Beyond filters, Snapchat also offers a wide range of creative tools and options:
- Lenses – Interactive animations that react to your facial expressions and movements
- Bitmoji – Personalized cartoon avatars you can customize
- Stickers – Images and illustrations you can add to your snaps
- Text Tools – Colorful text captions and banners
- Drawing Tools – Markers and brushes for freehand doodling
- Snap Map – Share your location and see friends’ locations on a map
- Snap Games – Bite-sized multiplayer games to play with friends
- Spotlight – User-generated content feed of trending snaps
Snapchat seeks to differentiate itself from other social platforms by emphasizing creative tools for short-term sharing. Rather than focusing on permanent posts and profiles as with Facebook or Instagram, Snapchat embraces ephemerality – each snap, story, or message expires after viewing.
This creates a feeling of intimacy, authenticity, and in-the-moment connection with friends. Users feel comfortable experimenting and being silly, without worrying about some digital artifact impacting their permanent social media reputation.
Snapchat’s playful, temporary nature is evident in innovations like the Snapstreaks metric that rewards friends for snapping each other every day. Features like Snap Map foster spontaneous real-life meetups. Augmented reality lenses turn ordinary selfies into fantastical works of art.
For brands and businesses, Snapchat offers creative marketing opportunities as well. Sponsored lenses, geofilters, snap ads, and Story ads enable targeted promotions. Snapchat’s youthful demographics provide access to the coveted Gen Z and Millennial cohorts.
Since launch in 2011, Snapchat has steadily evolved its capabilities while maintaining its fun, irreverent spirit. New features give users more ways to express themselves and interact visually with friends and the world around them.
The ability to easily find and re-use your favorite recent filters enhances the Snapchat experience. With over 450 million monthly active users as of 2022, Snapchat continues to thrive thanks to its focus on creativity, spontaneity, and image-driven communication.
For teens and young adults especially, Snapchat is the social app of choice for sending playful messages that disappear soon after viewing. Friendships are strengthened through creative exchange and visual conversation. Viral memes and challenges originate on the platform before spreading across the internet.
Snapchat continues to shape worldwide culture and communication norms. Its values of impermanence and informality clash with the highly curated permanence of Instagram and Facebook. This contrast appeals to younger demographics seeking authentic and intimate social connection beyond carefully crafted online profiles.
Looking ahead, Snapchat aims to expand its augmented reality capabilities even further. Already, AR lenses allow for interactive experiences like virtual try-on of products, clothes, and accessories. More advanced use cases could include education, gaming, navigation, and other utilities.
As AR technology improves, Snapchat is positioned at the forefront given its expertise in overlays and visual effects. Partnering with AR glasses and headset makers could allow Snapchat to bridge the digital and physical in a more seamless manner.
For now, Snapchat users can enjoy tinkering with the platform’s many creative tools, applying weird and fun filters to capture life’s everyday moments. With easy access to Recent filters that you’ve already tried out, you can give your snaps a consistent look and feel over time.
Filters are the keystone of the Snapchat experience. They represent a digital form of self-expression and identity. With a swipe, you can try on a new look and be someone – or something – else completely. This ability to reinvent yourself through AR makes Snapchat an exciting playground for imagination and experimentation.