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How do you join the beta program on Snapchat?

How do you join the beta program on Snapchat?

Snapchat’s beta program allows users to test new and upcoming features before they are released to the general public. Joining the Snapchat beta can give you early access to new filters, lenses, and other exciting additions to the app. Here is a guide on how to join Snapchat’s beta program and start exploring new features before your friends.

What is the Snapchat Beta Program?

Snapchat frequently develops new features and updates for its app. Before releasing changes widely, Snapchat likes to test them with a smaller group of users. This testing process helps identify bugs or issues before the features go live for all users. The beta program gives some Snapchatters early access to try out these pre-release features and provide feedback to the company.

Participating in Snapchat’s beta allows you to experience and evaluate new filters, lenses, stickers, interface changes, and more. You get to try out these features before most other Snapchat users even know they exist. Snapchat may also ask for your opinions on the changes to help them improve the features before public launch.

Joining the beta program comes with responsibility. You agree to use discretion when discussing upcoming changes with non-beta users. You also provide honest feedback to Snapchat when testing new additions. In exchange, you get a sneak peek at what’s new.

Who Can Join the Snapchat Beta?

Snapchat rolls out beta access slowly and selectively. At first, only a couple thousand users may get invites. If those testers provide helpful feedback, Snapchat may then expand access to more users.

Snapchat focuses on inviting beta testers who actively use the app and are located in key markets. You must have a Snapchat account to participate. Your app usage, such as Snaps sent and stories posted, may factor into whether you receive an invite.

Currently, Snapchat’s beta is only available on iOS, so Android users cannot participate. The beta test group also concentrates on users in the United States, though some testers in the UK, Canada, and Australia may also get access.

How to Join the Snapchat Beta Program

Unfortunately, there is no way to request access or sign up for Snapchat’s beta. Snapchat keeps tight control over who gets selected as a beta tester. The company sends out invites directly to potential candidates.

If you want a chance to participate, here are some tips:

  • Use Snapchat actively – Send Snaps, post Stories, try out new Lenses and Filters. The more engaged you are, the better chance you have of getting an invite.
  • Keep the app updated – Install app updates as soon as they become available.
  • Have accurate user info – Especially your location. Snapchat targets testers in certain countries.
  • Follow Snapchat blogs and news – Stay on top of what Snapchat is working on next.
  • Be patient – Snapchat rolls out beta invites slowly. It may take months or longer to get selected.

Even doing all these things doesn’t guarantee beta access. Snapchat keeps the testing group small. But regularly using Snapchat and keeping up with Snapchat news gives you your best shot at getting invited.

How Do You Know You’re Invited?

Snapchat will notify you directly in the app if you’ve been selected for the beta program. Here is what to look out for:

  • Push notification – You may receive a push notification stating you’ve been invited to test new Snapchat features.
  • Alert in app – When you open Snapchat, you may see an alert pop-up explaining you now have beta access.
  • “Beta” next to your username – Check your profile. If you see “Beta” displayed next to your username, you’re in.

These alerts will direct you to read Snapchat’s beta testing agreement. You must accept the terms to complete your beta enrollment.

Using Snapchat Beta Features

Once accepted into the program, you can start trying out pre-release Snapchat features. Here are some tips for testing beta additions:

  • Explore and play around. Try lenses, filters, stickers or other features that look new.
  • Provide honest feedback in Snapchat surveys. Your input helps shape releases.
  • Report bugs or issues you encounter using the in-app reporting tool.
  • Avoid publicly discussing features with non-beta users.
  • Screenshot new designs and features, but don’t publicly share images.
  • Check the forum for other beta user discussions.

Snapchat may update the beta app multiple times a week as they make tweaks and changes. Keep the app updated to ensure you have the latest beta version.

Not every beta tester gets access to every new feature. Snapchat sometimes A/B tests by rolling a feature out to a fraction of beta users first before expanding access. Don’t assume a missing feature indicates you’ve lost beta access.

Leaving the Snapchat Beta Program

You can leave Snapchat’s beta program at any time if you no longer want early access to upcoming features. Here are a couple ways to opt out of the beta:

  • Turn off TestFlight (iOS) – Open the TestFlight app and find Snapchat. Tap “Stop Testing” to leave the program.
  • Contact Snapchat support – Reach out to Snapchat to request removal from the beta.

Once you opt out, you will no longer receive beta updates. Your app will revert back to the standard version without pre-release features.

Snapchat may also remove testers from the program if they violate the beta agreement. Reasons for removal include:

  • Publicly sharing screenshots or info about pre-release features
  • Failing to provide useful feedback on new features
  • Inactivity – Not using the Snapchat app

But if you abide by the rules, you can enjoy early access until Snapchat phases out a particular beta test group. You may even get invited back again to test future updates!

Conclusion

Here are the key takeaways on Snapchat’s beta program:

  • The beta allows testing new Snapchat features before public release.
  • Snapchat invites a limited number of engaged, active users to participate.
  • Keep the app updated and use Snapchat regularly for a chance to get invited.
  • Accepted testers will receive in-app alerts that they’ve been selected.
  • Have fun exploring new lenses, filters, and more before your friends!

Snapchat’s beta program gives you the exciting opportunity to shape upcoming Snapchat releases. You may have to be patient for an invite, but joining the beta lets you experience the latest Snapchat features first.