Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to share photos, videos, and messages that disappear after viewing. By default, Snapchat only allows videos up to 10 seconds long to be posted to your Story. However, there are a few workarounds that allow you to post longer videos up to 1 minute long on your Snapchat Story.
Requirements for Longer Videos on Snapchat
In order to post a video longer than 10 seconds to your Snapchat Story, the video must meet the following requirements:
- Be less than 1 minute long
- Be in MP4 video format
- Be optimized for mobile with dimensions 1080×1920 pixels
If your video meets these requirements, there are a couple different methods you can use to post it to your Story as outlined below.
Method 1: Use a Third-Party App
One of the easiest ways to post a longer video to Snapchat is by using a third-party video editing or conversion app to optimize your video first. Here are some apps that allow you to export longer videos optimized for Snapchat:
- InShot – Free video editor for iOS and Android that allows 1 minute exports.
- Videoleap – Advanced video editor for iOS that allows 1 minute Snapchat exports.
- VideoLab – Video editor for iOS that has a “for Snapchat” export option.
- Quik – GoPro’s free video editor for iOS and Android allowing 1 minute video exports.
The basic process when using one of these apps is:
- Import your original long video into the app.
- Trim it down to less than 1 minute.
- Export or save the video using the Snapchat or share to Snapchat option.
- This will save an optimized version to your camera roll.
- Open Snapchat and upload the video from your camera roll to your Story as you normally would.
The advantage of using a third-party editing app is it takes care of properly optimizing the video for you. The only downside is you may lose some image quality or have to cut down a longer video. But overall these apps provide the simplest solution for quickly exporting longer videos for Snapchat.
Method 2: Use Video Optimization Software
If you don’t want to cut down or lose quality on your original long-form video, you can also use desktop video optimization software to export a version ready for Snapchat. Some options include:
- HandBrake – Free and open source video transcoder for Mac, PC, and Linux. It allows custom video exporting for specific resolutions and formats.
- Adobe Media Encoder – Comes with Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Premiere Pro. Allows exporting videos in optimal formats.
- Edit Video File – Paid software for Windows that allows custom video exports for various social media platforms including Snapchat.
To use one of these desktop programs:
- Import your original long video.
- Configure export settings for 1080×1920 MP4 video at 25fps.
- Export the transcoded video optimized for Snapchat.
- Transfer the video to your mobile device.
- Upload to Snapchat as usual.
The advantage of using optimization software is you don’t have to cut or lose quality on your original video. But these programs involve more complex setup and aren’t as user friendly as mobile editing apps. Overall they offer a more advanced solution for power users working with long videos.
Method 3: Stitch Video Segments in Snapchat
If you don’t want to use any third-party apps, Snapchat also allows you to stitch multiple 10 second video clips together right in the app. To do this:
- Record your long video chopped up into segments under 10 seconds.
- Open Snapchat and go to the Story screen.
- Tap the circular capture button to open the camera.
- Tap and hold the capture button to record your first 10 second clip.
- Release the button then quickly tap and hold again to record the next segment.
- Repeat this process until you have recorded your entire long video split into 10 second pieces.
- Tap each clip in order to stitch them together into one long video on your Story.
The advantage of this method is you don’t need any outside apps. But it takes more effort to chop up your video and requires tricky timing to stitch segments together smoothly. Overall it’s the most tedious option, but works in a pinch if you have no other video editing apps available.
Extra Tips for Posting Long Snapchat Videos
Here are some additional tips when posting videos longer than 10 seconds on Snapchat:
- Trim any excess footage to get as close to 1 minute as possible. Snapchat may reject longer videos.
- Use landscape orientation instead of portrait for maximum resolution.
- Make sure sound and lighting are optimal for the full video.
- Test the export before uploading to Snapchat to ensure proper format.
- Consider using captions or voiceovers to provide context for longer videos.
Troubleshooting Issues with Longer Videos
If your longer video fails to upload to Snapchat, here are some common issues and fixes:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Unsupported video format | Be sure to export as .MP4 format before uploading. |
| Incorrect video dimensions | Video needs to be 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels tall. |
| Video file too large | Optimize to reduce size to under 100MB if possible. |
| Video too long | Trim video to be less than 1 minute long. |
| Poor video quality | Adjust export settings for best quality and use landscape mode. |
With some trial and error, you should be able to troubleshoot any issues that arise and get your longer video successfully posted. The end result is well worth the extra effort for more captivating and immersive video content on your Snapchat Story!
Conclusion
Posting videos longer than Snapchat’s 10 second limit on your Story can be tricky but there are a few proven methods that get the job done. The easiest options involve using third-party video editing apps or optimization software to export your longer video properly sized and formatted for Snapchat. Alternatively, you can also carefully segment and stitch together multiple 10 second clips within Snapchat itself. Following the video requirements, sizing, and formats outlined here, you should be able to bypass the default time limit and share more engaging video content on Snapchat. Just be sure to test your longer videos beforehand and troubleshoot any uploading issues. With the right preparation, you’ll have an effective way to provide more video context and storytelling on your Snapchat profile.