Snapchat filters allow users to add fun effects and animations to their photos and videos in the Snapchat app. They have become incredibly popular, especially among younger Snapchat users. But if you’re new to Snapchat, finding the filters can be confusing. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Snapchat filters.
Open the Snapchat Camera
The first step is to open the Snapchat camera within the app. To do this:
- Open the Snapchat app on your mobile device.
- From the Snapchat camera screen, tap the capture button at the bottom of the screen to open the camera.
The camera screen is where you can start using filters. At the bottom of the capture screen, you’ll see a row of circular icons—these are the available filters.
Swipe Through the Filters
To browse and select filters, simply swipe left or right on the row of circular icons at the bottom of the capture screen. As you swipe, you’ll see the filter being previewed over your face on the camera viewfinder screen. When you see a filter you like, stop swiping.
Here are some tips for swiping and selecting filters:
- Swipe slowly so you can preview each filter.
- Tap and hold on a filter to lock it in place, then release to return to swiping.
- Double tap a filter to apply it to your photo or video.
Snapchat offers hundreds of different filters, from basic color filters to animated lenses, geofilters based on your location, and more. The available filters refresh daily.
Take a Snap with the Selected Filter
Once you’ve chosen a filter, you can take a photo or video snap to apply the filter’s effect.
To take a photo:
- Choose your filter and position the camera.
- Tap the large circular capture button at the bottom of the screen to take a photo.
To take a video:
- Choose your filter and position the camera.
- Press and hold the circular button to start recording video.
- Release the button to stop recording.
Your snap will save with the filter applied. You can then edit your snap or send it to friends.
Save a Filter as a Lens
If you find a filter you really love, you can save it as a lens that you can access anytime. Here’s how:
- Swipe to find the filter you want to save.
- Tap and hold the circular filter icon.
- An “Add to Favorites” pop-up will appear—tap it to save the lens.
This will save the lens to your “Favorites” section, which you can access by swiping left on the camera screen.
Use Friend Lenses
In addition to Snapchat’s default lenses, you can also access a huge library of lenses created by your friends and the Snapchat community. Here’s how to use these Friend lenses:
- From the camera viewfinder, tap the smiley face icon in the right corner.
- This will open the lens carousel. Swipe left and right to browse lenses created by friends or the community.
- Tap a lens icon to preview and apply the lens.
- You can tap “Add to Favorites” on any community lens to save it.
Unlock Geofilters
Geofilters allow you to add location-specific overlays to your snaps. Here’s how to access them:
- Open Snapchat and ensure your device location services are enabled.
- From the Snapchat camera, swipe through filters until you see geofilters for your current location.
You may also unlock geofilters for significant locations like airports, concert venues, sports stadiums, and more. These will appear when you’re in those locations.
Use Snapchat Memories
Snapchat Memories allow you to re-use any photos or videos you’ve previously taken—including ones with filters applied. Here’s how to access and use Memories:
- From the Snapchat camera, tap the icon in the bottom left corner.
- This will open your memories gallery, with tabs for Snaps, Stories, Camera Roll, and more.
- Tap a memory to send it in a chat or add it to your Story.
- The filter will still be applied!
Using Snapchat Memories is a great way to re-share your favorite filtered snaps.
Edit Post-Capture
You can also edit your snaps after capturing them to apply filters:
- Take a snap without filters first.
- After taking the snap, tap the square preview icon at the bottom left.
- This will open editing tools. Tap the “Filters” icon.
- Swipe through and select a filter to apply to your snap.
Post-capture editing lets you customize your snaps exactly how you want!
Conclusion
Learning to use Snapchat filters opens up a whole new world of creative fun on the platform. With a huge selection of filters available in the app, you can make your snaps stand out and share fun moments with friends in a memorable way. Once you know how to access filters, save favorites, and use community lenses, you’ll be a Snapchat pro!