Snapchat filters allow users to add fun effects and animations to their photos and videos in the app. Snapchat offers a wide variety of filters, from basic color filters to lenses that morph faces into cute animals or add sparkles and rainbows. Creating and using filters on Snapchat is easy and only takes a few taps on your mobile device.
Open the Snapchat Camera
The first step to using filters on Snapchat is to open the Snapchat camera within the app. To do this:
- Open the Snapchat app on your iOS or Android device.
- From the Snapchat camera screen, tap the circular shutter button at the bottom of the screen to open your device’s camera through Snapchat.
You should now see a live camera view through the Snapchat interface, indicating you can now take Snaps. The filters and lenses will appear over this camera view.
Swipe to Browse Filters
With the Snapchat camera open, you can swipe through the available filters by swiping left or right anywhere on the screen. When you first open the camera, it will default to the last used filter. To browse filters:
- Place one finger on the camera screen and swipe left or right to cycle through the available filters.
- As you swipe, you’ll see the filter name displayed at the bottom of the screen change to preview that filter.
- Swipe through all the filters to see the different options.
The filters Snapchat offers include:
- Color Filters – These tint your photo or video different colors like black & white, sepia, or bright tones.
- Speed Filters – These create the illusion of speed by making a video appear sped up or slowed down.
- Geofilters – These display decorative overlays and stickers based on your geographic location.
- Snapchat Lenses – These are animated AR (augmented reality) filters that transform faces with fun effects.
- Time Filters – These display the current time within a creative display.
Keep swiping to preview the different filter options before taking your Snap.
Tap to Select a Filter
Once you’ve found a filter you like, simply tap on the screen to select it before taking your Snap. Here is how to select and apply a filter:
- Swipe through filters and stop when you see one you want to use.
- Tap anywhere on the screen while that filter is previewed to select it.
- The filter name will be highlighted in yellow, indicating it’s now applied to the camera.
- Take your photo or video and the selected filter will be applied to it.
You can change the filter at any time before taking your Snap by simply swiping and tapping a new one.
Use Multiple Filters
Snapchat also lets you stack filters for unique effects. You can add one color filter, one geofilter, and one Snapchat lens to a single Snap. To layer filters:
- Apply the first filter you want by swiping and tapping to select it.
- Tap and hold the circular shutter button at the bottom of the screen.
- With the button held down, use another finger to swipe and tap a second filter.
- The button will show multiple filters stacked when they are applied.
- Take your Snap to apply the layered filter effects.
Get creative with mixing and matching filters for cool combinations!
Save Custom Filters
Snapchat has a “Memories” feature that lets you save and reuse your favorite filters later. To save a filter:
- Take a photo or video with the filter you want to keep.
- Tap the square icon in the bottom left corner of the preview screen.
- This saves your Snaps to Memories so you can reuse the filter.
To reapply a saved filter:
- Tap the face icon in the top left of the camera screen.
- Select a saved Snap from Memories.
- Tap the paper airplane icon to take a new Snap with that filter.
Unlock More Filters
As you continue using Snapchat, you’ll unlock more filters and lenses to use such as:
- Sponsored Filters for holidays, events, brands
- World Lenses with augmented reality effects
- Friendship filters and lenses
To unlock more filters quickly:
- Use Snapchat daily to access new options
- View and respond to Snap Ads from brands
- Connect Snapchat with Facebook to unlock shared geofilters
- Share your Snapcode and add friends to access friendship filters
- Enable Location Services for geofilters based on your area
Create a Custom Geofilter
In addition to using Snapchat’s default filters, you can also create and submit your own custom geofilter for locations that are important to you. To make a custom geofilter people will see when they’re with you:
- Go to Snapchat’s geofilters website on your phone or computer.
- Click “Create Now” and select if it’s for an area, business, event or residence.
- Search and select the location for the geofilter.
- Use the tools to design your geofilter with images, text and special effects.
- Submit your finished geofilter and Snapchat will review it within one business day.
- If approved, your custom geofilter will go live!
Custom geofilters are a fun way to share special locations and moments with friends on Snapchat!
| Filter Type | What They Do |
|---|---|
| Color Filters | Tint photos or videos different colors |
| Speed Filters | Control the speed of Snapchat videos |
| Geofilters | Display overlays based on location |
| Lenses | Add augmented reality effects to faces |
| Time Filters | Display creative time graphics |
Conclusion
Adding filters to your Snaps is easy with Snapchat’s swipe-to-select filter system. Simply swipe through the options, tap a filter you want to use, and take your Snap to apply the effect. You can get creative by stacking multiple filters or saving favorites to reuse later. Unlock new filters by using the app daily, connecting with friends, and designing custom geofilters for your favorite locations. With so many possibilities, filters give you endless ways to share fun moments on Snapchat!