Opening a Snapchat account, also known as a Snapchat ID, is a quick and easy process that can be done in just a few minutes. Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photo and video messages that disappear after being viewed. Here’s a step-by-step guide to opening your own Snapchat account and sending your first Snap.
What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is a mobile messaging app used to share photos, videos, text, and drawings, known as “Snaps,” with other Snapchatters. Snaps get deleted automatically after 1 to 10 seconds after being viewed by the recipient. Snapchat also allows users to communicate via video chat. Some key features of Snapchat include:
- Sending photo and video Snaps with fun filters, effects, and stickers
- Viewing Snaps sent by friends and creating Snapchat Stories
- Chatting with friends via text messaging or video calls
- Adding creative drawing tools, emojis, and captions to Snaps
- Using Snapchat lenses to add fun augmented reality effects
- Sharing memories and moments throughout the day
Since launching in 2011, Snapchat has become one of the world’s most popular apps, especially among young people. The app has over 265 million daily active users who send over 5 billion Snaps every day!
Step 1: Download the Snapchat app
The first step is to download the free Snapchat app, which is available for both iOS and Android mobile devices. You can find the app by searching “Snapchat” on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The Snapchat icon looks like a white ghost on a yellow background.
Snapchat can be used on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure your device meets the following requirements:
- iOS 11 or later for Apple devices
- Android 5.0 or later for Android devices
- A strong internet connection (WiFi or mobile data)
- A device with a camera
Once you’ve downloaded Snapchat, you can create an account and choose a unique username.
Step 2: Create your Snapchat account
When you first open up Snapchat, you’ll be prompted to either log in or sign up. To create a new account, tap “Sign Up” and enter your:
- Birthday
- Desired username
- Password
Your username is unique and can’t be changed later. It’s what friends will use to find you on Snapchat. Usernames must be at least 5 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Some tips for choosing a good Snapchat username:
- Pick something short, simple, and memorable
- Avoid using personal info like your name
- Get creative and playful with it
- Add numbers if common words are taken
- Check username availability as you go
After entering your information, agree to Snapchat’s Terms of Service and tap “Continue.” Snapchat will send a confirmation code to the email you provided. Enter this code and you’re all set to start snapping!
Step 3: Customize your Snapchat profile
One of the first things to do when setting up your new Snapchat account is personalize your profile. Your profile allows others to see your name, add a photo or Bitmoji avatar, view your Snapcode, and see your Snapchat score.
To access and edit your Snapchat profile:
- Tap your profile icon in the top left corner
- Tap the settings gear icon in the top right
- Select “My Profile” to edit your name, username, Bitmoji, and more
Here are some profile customizations you can make:
- Add a profile photo: Choose a fun selfie or picture to represent your account
- Create a Bitmoji: Design a personalized avatar with Bitmoji
- Write a bio: Tell friends about yourself in 80 characters or less
- Link other accounts: Connect your Snapchat to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more
- Customize notifications: Change notification settings for Snaps, Stories, and more
A customized profile gives your Snapchat account some personality. Take a few minutes to make it your own!
Step 4: Add friends
What good is a social media account without friends? It’s time to start adding friends and family to your Snapchat so you have people to send Snaps to.
There are a few ways to find and add friends on Snapchat:
- Add from your Contacts: Snapchat can search your phone’s contacts for people who also have Snapchat. Just tap “Add Friends” and “Add from Contacts.”
- Add using usernames: Know someone’s username? Type it into the “Add by Username” field to find and follow them.
- Add from Snapcodes: Every user has a unique Snapcode that looks like a barcode. Scan someone’s Snapcode using your Snapchat camera to instantly add them.
You’ll also get friend suggestions based on mutual connections, making it easy to grow your Snapchat circle. And don’t forget – you have to accept someone as a friend before you can start snapping them.
Step 5: Start snapping!
You’re all set up and ready to start snapping! Here are some tips for sending your first Snapchat messages:
- Tap the camera icon to take a photo, or press and hold for video
- Edit your Snap by adding filters, text, stickers, drawings, and more
- Select friends to send your Snap to from the list – or add to your Story for all friends to see
- Swipe right on the camera to view incoming Snaps and Stories
- Be creative and have fun with it! The best Snaps are visual, spontaneous, and engaging
As you use Snapchat more, you’ll get the hang of adding friends, sending disappearing messages, video chatting, creating Stories, using lenses, and more. Enjoy staying in touch with your closest friends on Snapchat!
Finding Friends on Snapchat
There are a few ways to find and add friends on Snapchat:
- Add friends from your phone’s contacts who use Snapchat
- Search for friends by their username
- Scan a friend’s unique Snapcode
- See Snapchat’s suggestions for accounts you may know
- Find friends through mutual connections
Here are some tips for finding more friends and building out your Snapchat network:
- Link Snapchat to your Facebook, Twitter, or other social media accounts to find overlapping connections
- Ask existing Snapchat friends who they follow for more people to add
- Follow celebrities, artists, brands, and influencers you’re interested in
- Search relevant hashtags and locations on Snap Map to uncover active users near you
- Join Snapchat community groups and forums to meet fellow Snapchatters
- Promote your Snapchat username on other social profiles so friends can find and add you
Remember that Snapchat is about engaging with your real-life connections. Focus on adding close friends, family members, colleagues, and acquaintances you want to stay in touch with via snaps.
Chatting with Friends
Snapchat isn’t just for sharing photo and video snaps. You can also use the app to chat and video call with friends in real-time. Here are some ways to chat on Snapchat:
- Text Chat – Swipe right on the Camera screen to access your chat inbox and see conversations with friends.
- Video Chat – Start a live video call with a friend directly from your chat window.
- Audio Chat – Use the new Walkie Talkie feature to send and receive audio messages instantly.
- Chat Reactions – React to a friend’s message with fun emojis and Bitmojis.
- Group Chat – Create a group chat with up to 32 friends.
Snapchat gives you a more casual, intimate way to stay connected to friends. You can have real conversations about your day, make plans, catch up in your own private message thread, and more.
Tips for Chatting
- Start conversations by reacting to friends’ Stories or sending a funny Snap
- Use text and video chat to have deeper, more personal conversations
- Keep chats with close friends separate from group chats
- Respect friends’ privacy by keeping chats private between you
- Engage in chat often to nurture real friendships on Snapchat
Using Stories
Snapchat Stories allow you to share snaps that appear for 24 hours before disappearing. Friends can view your Story to keep up with your day. Stories also let you see what all your friends are up to.
Viewing Stories
– Swipe right from the Camera screen to view your friends’ Stories.
– Stories are arranged by who you watch and interact with most.
– Tap through each Story or hold down to watch the full Story hands-free.
– View your own Story by tapping your profile icon.
Creating Stories
– Take a Snap and tap the arrow to add it to your Story.
– Or, tap the circle button at the bottom to add to your Story.
– Edit your Story Snaps with text, stickers, drawings, and more.
– Share moments from your day like meals, activities, selfies, and events.
– Stories disappear after 24 hours.
Story Controls
You have options to control who views your Story:
– Hide your Story from specific friends.
– Share only with your Best Friends list.
– Make your Story public for all Snapchatters to view.
Adding Filters, Lenses, Stickers
Snapchat offers tons of creative tools to make your Snaps stand out:
Filters
– Swipe right or left on the Camera screen to add filters.
– Try time and location filters, filters for selfies, and more.
– Geofilters are unique to locations around the world.
Lenses
– Tap the face icon on the Camera to access Lenses.
– Choose from hundreds of fun augmented reality effects and masks.
– Unlock new Lenses by scanning Snapcodes and completing challenges.
Stickers
– Tap the sticker icon on the Camera or in Chat.
– Browse tons of stickers from Snapchat and third-party apps.
– Use your own Bitmoji stickers starring you!
Snapchat Scores and Trophies
As you use Snapchat, you earn two types of points:
Snapchat Score
– Your Score appears on your profile and increases when you Snap.
– Earn 1 point for sending a Snap, view a Story, or receive a Snap.
– Score shows your friends how active you are on Snapchat.
Snapchat Trophies
– Unlock fun trophies by using different Snapchat features.
– Trophies include: sending Snaps with filters, using Geofilters, racking up high Snapstreaks, and more.
– Earn bronze, silver, gold, and platinum trophies for each category.
Tips to Increase Score and Trophies
– Send Snaps regularly to friends and add to your Story.
– View friends’ Stories daily and react to Snaps.
– Use a variety of filters, lenses, stickers, and features.
– Participate in Snapchat holiday events.
– Connect Snapchat to other apps like Bitmoji.
Snapchat Memories and My Eyes Only
Snapchat Memories allows you to save your favorite Snaps. My Eyes Only provides private storage for your Snaps.
Snapchat Memories
– Tap the Memories icon on the Camera to access saved Snaps.
– View Snaps you’ve sent and received in the past 24 hours.
– Save individual Snaps or entire Stories to Memories.
– Search and organize Memories using tags and tabs.
My Eyes Only
– Secure album unlocked by your passcode or Touch/Face ID.
– Save your private Snaps here – they won’t appear in Memories.
– Swipe up on the Camera and enter your passcode to access.
– Keep personal content like financial info or intimate Snaps in My Eyes Only.
Using Memories and My Eyes Only
– Revisit fond memories by saving meaningful Snaps to Memories.
– Save funny Snaps and reactions to reuse later in chat.
– Lock sensitive Snaps like passwords, addresses, and more in My Eyes Only.
– Frequently clear out old Snaps for privacy.
Snap Map and Location Sharing
Snap Map lets you share your location on a map so friends can see where you are and what’s happening around you.
Accessing Snap Map
– Pinch out on the Camera screen to open Snap Map.
– View Snaps submitted to Our Story based on locations worldwide.
– See where your friends are on the map if they choose to share their locations.
Sharing Your Location
– Tap the settings gear on the Map to edit your location settings.
– Choose to share your location with all friends, some friends, or to go ghost mode.
– When sharing location, your Bitmoji will appear on the Map.
Location Safety Tips
– Be thoughtful about who you share your location with.
– Avoid sharing your home and work addresses.
– Use Ghost Mode if you don’t want to share your location.
– Frequently update your privacy settings.
Conclusion
And that covers the basics of finding friends, sending Snaps, chatting, viewing Stories, using creative tools, building your Snapchat score, saving to Memories, sharing locations, and more. The features and capabilities of Snapchat are always growing.
Here are some final tips for really mastering Snapchat and becoming a pro user:
- Watch Snapchat tutorials on YouTube to learn the newest tips and tricks.
- Follow Snapchat’s Official Stories to stay up to date with news and happenings.
- Engage frequently with your real friends instead of just consuming celebrity content.
- Use Snap Map and lenses when you’re traveling or at events.
- Optimize your privacy settings and review them regularly.
- Have fun with it! Snapchat is all about sharing your life with friends through photos.
Now that you know how to set up an account and use the main Snapchat features, it’s time to start snapping! Creatively capture your memories, share your days with friends, and enjoy fun visual conversations.