Snapchat’s interface can be a bit confusing for new users. Along the left side of the app, you’ll notice various icons that open different sections and features. Here’s a breakdown of what each icon means:
Camera Icon
The camera icon opens your phone’s camera so you can take a new Snap. This is the main way to create new Snaps to send to your friends.
Chat Icon
The chat icon lets you view your message conversations with friends. Here you can see Snaps and text chats you’ve exchanged with your contacts.
Stories Icon
The stories icon takes you to your friends’ stories as well as public stories from Snapchat community members and media publishers. Stories let you see a narrative of Snaps from your friends’ daily lives.
Discover Icon
Discover shows you content from Snapchat’s publisher partners. You can find articles, videos, and more based on your interests. The Discover section also includes curated Snapchat stories around major events.
Map Icon
The Snap Map lets you see where your friends are and what they’re up to around the world. You can view Snaps submitted to Our Story based on location.
Profile Icon
Your profile houses your personal Snapchat settings, added friends, your Snapcode, your Snapchat score, and any Snapchat Trophies you’ve earned.
Memories Icon
Memories is where you can access your saved Snaps, stories, photos, and videos from your camera roll. You can also edit and send old Snaps from your Memories.
Lenses Icon
Lenses opens up Snapchat’s face filters and augmented reality lenses. Here you can browse new Lenses submitted by Snapchat users and apply fun effects to your Snaps.
Snapcash Icon
Snapcash lets you link a debit card to send and receive money with friends through Snapchat. You can quickly split the bill, pay someone back, and more.
Settings Icon
Manage all your Snapchat preferences and account information in Settings. Options include privacy controls, friend settings, notifications, and more.
Bitmoji Icon
Bitmoji is Snapchat’s avatar creator. Design your own personalized avatar and use it in Snaps and chats.
Other Icons
Here are a few other icons you may see within Snapchat:
- A blue unopened arrow – This means you have an unopened Snap from a friend.
- A purple opened arrow – Indicates you’ve already viewed that friend’s Snap.
- A red square – Shows a friend has posted a new story.
- A green dot – Means a friend is currently active on Snapchat.
Sending Snaps
Now that you know what all the icons mean, here’s how to send your first Snap:
- Open the camera icon from the main screen.
- Take a photo or video by pressing and holding the circular capture button.
- Edit your Snap if desired by adding filters, text, stickers, etc.
- Send the Snap to friends by selecting their name and confirming.
Your Snap will disappear after being viewed once. You’ll see when friends open your Snaps on the Chat screen.
Viewing Stories
In addition to sending disappearing photos and videos, Snapchat has Stories that let you share an ongoing narrative. Here’s how to use them:
- Swipe right on the Camera screen or tap the Stories icon.
- View friends’ stories by tapping their profile image.
- Swipe up to see the next Snap in their Story.
- Create your own Story by pressing and holding the circular button.
Stories remain available for 24 hours. You can also save parts of your Story to Memories.
Using Lenses and Filters
Snapchat is popular for its fun augmented reality Lenses. Here’s how to use them:
- Open the Camera and tap the face icon in the right corner.
- Select a featured Lens, or swipe to browse the Lens Carousel.
- Point your camera at your face to activate the Lens and see the effect.
- Tap the capture button to take a Snap with the Lens.
You can find more Lenses by tapping Explore Lenses or scanning a Snapcode. Snapchat also has classic photo Filters like black and white or vintage. Swipe left and right to browse Filters before taking a Snap.
Using Snap Map
Snap Map lets you share your location with friends. Here’s how it works:
- Tap the Map icon in the bottom toolbar.
- Zoom and pan around the Map to see public Stories worldwide.
- Tap a friend’s Bitmoji to view their location and Story.
- Adjust your location sharing settings in Ghost Mode.
Snap Map provides a fun way to engage with friends and events around the world. Just be thoughtful about sharing your location.
Finding Friends
Adding friends on Snapchat lets you share Snaps and chat. Here are a few ways to find and add friends:
- From your Contacts – Snapchat finds friends from your device’s contacts.
- Username – Search for a specific Snapchat username to add friends.
- Snapcode – Scan a friend’s Snapcode using your Camera to add them.
- Add Nearby – View Snapchat users nearby who want to be added.
Also be sure to share your unique Snapcode so friends can add you! Your Snapcode is found in your profile screen.
Chatting
In addition to photo and video Snaps, you can make text chat conversations on Snapchat. Here’s how:
- Open the Chat screen and select a friend.
- Type a message in the text field at the bottom.
- Send video notes, audio messages, screenshots, and more!
- View your Chat history by scrolling up.
Chats are automatically deleted once both parties leave the conversation. You can also Chat during Stories by sending a Snap using the arrow icon.
Using Snapcash
Snapcash is Snapchat’s money transfer feature. Follow these steps to use it:
- Go to Settings > Snapcash.
- Enter your debit card information to link it to Snapchat.
- Return to the Chat screen and tap the dollar sign icon.
- Enter the amount and confirm the transfer.
Snapcash provides a convenient way to pay your friends right through Snapchat!
Viewing Discover
Discover offers video and articles from top publishers. Here’s how to use it:
- Tap the Discover icon on the toolbar.
- Browse different channels like News, Sports, Comedy, etc.
- Tap a tile to view the publisher’s content.
- Swipe up to view the next Snap from that channel.
Discover is a great way to view short-form content and stay informed! Content refreshes daily.
Using Memories
Memories lets you access old photos and videos. Here’s how it works:
- Tap the Memories icon to access your old content.
- Browse Snaps, Stories, Camera Roll, and more.
- Edit old Snaps using creative tools.
- Share Memories directly to Chat or Stories.
Memories provides a searchable archive of your best old Snaps. You can also download your Memories to access them outside the app.
Understanding Trophies
You can earn Trophies on Snapchat for different activities. Here are a few ways to earn Trophies:
- Use Snapchat daily and maintain a Snapstreak for 100 days.
- Connect your Bitmoji to your Snapchat.
- Link your Snapchat to other apps like Facebook or Twitter.
- Frequently view Stories or send Snaps to friends.
Trophies showcase your activity on Snapchat. The more you use Snapchat, the more trophies you can unlock!
Changing Settings
Adjust your Snapchat preferences in Settings. Some settings to customize include:
- Notifications – Manage notifications for Snaps, Stories, and more.
- Privacy – Control who can contact you, view stories, and see your location.
- Additional Services – Connect Bitmoji, Memories, and more.
- Account Actions – Change password, delete account, and more.
Customizing your Settings helps ensure Snapchat works the way you want. You can always change them later if your preferences change.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s wide range of features and icons can seem overwhelming at first. But by starting with the basics like sending Snaps and viewing Stories, you’ll be a pro before you know it!
Key things to remember are:
- Tap the camera icon to take photos and videos.
- Use the Chat screen to view conversations.
- Swipe up on Stories to see your friends’ days.
- Browse Discover for publisher content.
- Access old Snaps through Memories.
- Customize your experience in Settings.
The more you use Snapchat, the more familiar the icons and features will become. So grab some friends and start Snapping today!