How to Use Filters on Snapchat
Open the Snapchat app., Swipe down on the camera screen., Tap ⚙️., Scroll down and tap Manage Preferences., Slide the Filters switch right., Return to the camera page., Tap and hold your screen., Swipe right to scroll through the available effects...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Open the Snapchat app.
Its icon resembles a white ghost on a yellow background.
If you aren't already logged into Snapchat, tap Log In and enter your username (or email address) and password. -
Step 2: Swipe down on the camera screen.
Doing so will open your profile. , It's in the top right corner of the screen. , You'll find this in the "Additional Services" section. , It will turn green.
Now you'll be able to use filters in your Snaps! If the switch is green, filters are already enabled. , To do so, tap the back buttons in the top left corner of your screen to return to the profile page, then swipe up on the screen. , After a brief moment, you should see icons pop up to the right of the camera button.
To apply filters to your face or a friend's, center the face on your screen and tap it.
Tap the camera icon in the top right corner of your screen to change the direction the camera faces. , Some common ones include a dog's face, a deer's face, and a face swap option.
Most effects will change in appearance if you open your mouth or raise your eyebrows (for example, the dog face effect sticks out its tongue if you open your mouth). , This will take a picture with your selected filter applied to whatever your camera is facing. , Doing so will drag filters over your snap.
Some common filters include the following:
The time Your altitude The current outside temperature Location-specific filters (e.g., the city you're in) Snapchat may ask you for permission to access your location if this is your first time applying location-specific filters.
If so, tap Allow. , For example, applying the temperature filter and then tapping it will display different temperature formats (e.g., Fahrenheit versus Celsius). , To do this, apply a filter you like, then hold your finger down on the screen to anchor that filter while swiping left or right with another finger.
For example, you can swipe to the temperature filter, then hold it down and swipe a city's filter onto your snap as well.
Some filters don't go together (e.g., time and altitude). , You can send your snap to another Snapchat user by tapping the white arrow in the bottom right corner of the screen and then selecting a friend, or post the snap as a Story for all of your friends to see by tapping the square with a plus icon next to it on the bottom of the screen.
Now that you know how to apply filters to photo snaps, it's time to try video snap filters. , After a brief moment, you should see icons pop up to the right of the camera button.
To apply filters to your face or a friend's, center the face on your screen and tap it.
Tap the camera icon in the top right corner of your screen to change the direction the camera faces. , Some common ones include a dog's face, a deer's face, and a face swap option.
Some effects will change your voice if you speak with them enabled.
These effects will briefly display "Voice Changer" on the screen when selected. , Doing this will record a video.
You can record up to 10 seconds of video with Snapchat. , Doing this will apply filters to your snap.
A few common video filters include the following:
Rewind
- The <<< icon will play your snap in reverse.
Speed Up
- The rabbit icons speed up your snap.
One rabbit (the one with lines coming off of it) speeds up your snap immensely while the other only moderately increases your snap's playback speed.
Slow Down
- The snail icon slows your snap down to half-speed.
This will increase your video's maximum playback time to 20 seconds (for a 10 second video).
Temperature Time Snapchat may ask you for permission to access your location if this is your first time applying filters.
If so, tap Allow. , For example, applying the temperature filter and then tapping it will display different temperature formats (e.g., Fahrenheit versus Celsius). , To do this, apply a filter you like, then hold your finger down on the screen to anchor that filter while swiping left or right with another finger.
For example, you can swipe to the black and white filter, then hold it down and swipe the Slow Down filter onto your snap.
Some filters don't go together (like the Slow Down and Speed Up filters). , Send your snap to another Snapchat user by tapping the white arrow in the bottom right corner of the screen and then selecting a friend, or post the snap as a Story for all of your friends to see by tapping the square with a plus icon next to it on the bottom of the screen. -
Step 3: Tap ⚙️.
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Step 4: Scroll down and tap Manage Preferences.
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Step 5: Slide the Filters switch right.
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Step 6: Return to the camera page.
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Step 7: Tap and hold your screen.
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Step 8: Swipe right to scroll through the available effects.
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Step 9: Tap the circular button at the bottom of your screen.
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Step 10: Swipe right or left over your snap.
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Step 11: Tap filters to see if they have extra options.
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Step 12: Combine two or more filters.
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Step 13: Send your snap when you're finished.
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Step 14: Tap and hold your screen.
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Step 15: Swipe right to scroll through the available effects.
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Step 16: Tap and hold the circular button on the camera screen.
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Step 17: Swipe right or left over your video.
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Step 18: Tap filters to see if they have extra options.
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Step 19: Combine two or more filters.
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Step 20: Send your finished snap.
Detailed Guide
Its icon resembles a white ghost on a yellow background.
If you aren't already logged into Snapchat, tap Log In and enter your username (or email address) and password.
Doing so will open your profile. , It's in the top right corner of the screen. , You'll find this in the "Additional Services" section. , It will turn green.
Now you'll be able to use filters in your Snaps! If the switch is green, filters are already enabled. , To do so, tap the back buttons in the top left corner of your screen to return to the profile page, then swipe up on the screen. , After a brief moment, you should see icons pop up to the right of the camera button.
To apply filters to your face or a friend's, center the face on your screen and tap it.
Tap the camera icon in the top right corner of your screen to change the direction the camera faces. , Some common ones include a dog's face, a deer's face, and a face swap option.
Most effects will change in appearance if you open your mouth or raise your eyebrows (for example, the dog face effect sticks out its tongue if you open your mouth). , This will take a picture with your selected filter applied to whatever your camera is facing. , Doing so will drag filters over your snap.
Some common filters include the following:
The time Your altitude The current outside temperature Location-specific filters (e.g., the city you're in) Snapchat may ask you for permission to access your location if this is your first time applying location-specific filters.
If so, tap Allow. , For example, applying the temperature filter and then tapping it will display different temperature formats (e.g., Fahrenheit versus Celsius). , To do this, apply a filter you like, then hold your finger down on the screen to anchor that filter while swiping left or right with another finger.
For example, you can swipe to the temperature filter, then hold it down and swipe a city's filter onto your snap as well.
Some filters don't go together (e.g., time and altitude). , You can send your snap to another Snapchat user by tapping the white arrow in the bottom right corner of the screen and then selecting a friend, or post the snap as a Story for all of your friends to see by tapping the square with a plus icon next to it on the bottom of the screen.
Now that you know how to apply filters to photo snaps, it's time to try video snap filters. , After a brief moment, you should see icons pop up to the right of the camera button.
To apply filters to your face or a friend's, center the face on your screen and tap it.
Tap the camera icon in the top right corner of your screen to change the direction the camera faces. , Some common ones include a dog's face, a deer's face, and a face swap option.
Some effects will change your voice if you speak with them enabled.
These effects will briefly display "Voice Changer" on the screen when selected. , Doing this will record a video.
You can record up to 10 seconds of video with Snapchat. , Doing this will apply filters to your snap.
A few common video filters include the following:
Rewind
- The <<< icon will play your snap in reverse.
Speed Up
- The rabbit icons speed up your snap.
One rabbit (the one with lines coming off of it) speeds up your snap immensely while the other only moderately increases your snap's playback speed.
Slow Down
- The snail icon slows your snap down to half-speed.
This will increase your video's maximum playback time to 20 seconds (for a 10 second video).
Temperature Time Snapchat may ask you for permission to access your location if this is your first time applying filters.
If so, tap Allow. , For example, applying the temperature filter and then tapping it will display different temperature formats (e.g., Fahrenheit versus Celsius). , To do this, apply a filter you like, then hold your finger down on the screen to anchor that filter while swiping left or right with another finger.
For example, you can swipe to the black and white filter, then hold it down and swipe the Slow Down filter onto your snap.
Some filters don't go together (like the Slow Down and Speed Up filters). , Send your snap to another Snapchat user by tapping the white arrow in the bottom right corner of the screen and then selecting a friend, or post the snap as a Story for all of your friends to see by tapping the square with a plus icon next to it on the bottom of the screen.
About the Author
David White
Creates helpful guides on creative arts to inspire and educate readers.
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