Snapchat’s latest update brings a number of impressive improvements to the popular photo sharing app we all know and love.
From handy shortcuts to new tools for creating instant masterpieces, many of the app’s best features are hard to come by. Well, you can finish your search now as we have covered the ins of how to navigate Snapchat’s hidden features which will help turn your image into a work of art.
Whether you are a Snapchat newbie or a regular user, you can intensify your instant knowledge by learning how to unlock these tips and secrets.
1. Activate cool features in your settings.
First of all, make sure you have an updated version of Snapchat downloaded on your device.
To download the latest version of the app, visit Google Play or iTunes Store.
Once the app has updated, open it.
Tap the gear icon in the upper right corner of your feed, then tap “Manage” under “Additional Services.”
In this section, you can activate bonus features like filters, forward flash, replay and special text, and also choose how many best friends you want to show on your “Send To” screen.
2. Use special text.
Entering captions above the snaps is great, but what if you
want to overlay your access point with larger text and fees? This is when the special text feature, an alternate caption style, comes in handy.
Press the letter “T” next to the pencil icon in the upper right corner of your quick draw.
The characters you type will now be enlarged.
PICTURE: DASHA BATTELLE , MASHABLE
3. Draw with secret colors.
Doodling on your snap is one of the most popular features of the app.
We all know that you can choose a color by sliding the rainbow color bar. But what you might not know is that you don’t have to limit yourself to the color palette on the rainbow slider. Check out the next steps for how to draw with secret pencil colors.
IMAGE: TARN SUSUMPOW
Draw the color white.
Draw with a white pencil by touching the rainbow color slider and dragging your finger in the upper left corner. Android users have already integrated the white pencil into their rainbow slider.
Draw the color black.
Likewise, you can draw with a black pencil by touching the rainbow color slider and sliding your finger down. Android users have already integrated the black pencil into their rainbow slider.
Draw hidden colors.
You’ll notice that when you swipe your finger from the rainbow slider to the left or down, you’ll be able to use a bunch of intermediate colors that aren’t available on the palette.
Draw with transparent color (only on Android devices).
If you have an Android device, you’re in luck. Snapchatters using Androids can draw with transparent color. Tap the rainbow slider until the full color palette appears, and then select the transparent color.
IMAGE: ISAR CHANG
4. Add fun filters.
Snapchat’s latest update lets you add Instagram-like filters, art, and other data tags as you see fit.
Just swipe your finger left or right to preview each filter. Here is a summary of all the filters available.
Geolocation
Depending on your location, you can layer art and other labels as you like. For example, if you are in the Flatiron neighborhood of New York City, you can add art like the one below.
Time
Use the time filter to view the time you took.
IMAGE: TARN SUSUMPOW
Temperature
If you want to show the temperature when you captured the snap-in, use this filter. You can use the temperature to change it from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
IMAGE: MASHABLE
Speed
This filter captures the speed at which you are moving when you pick up the trigger. However, the functionality can be a bit buggy, and doesn’t always work.
IMAGE: TARN SUSUMPOW
Black and white, saturated and sepia filters
The old version of Snapchat had codes for three secret filters. But the latest version of Snapchat makes it easy to find them and the codes no longer work. Keep swiping your finger left or right to preview these filters.
IMAGE: TARN SUSUMPOW
5. Front turn signal
Do you want to take a selfie but the lighting is too dark? No problem. Snapchat has a front-facing flash feature that will clean your screen, brightening up your photo. Just turn on the flash by tapping the lightning bolt icon in the upper left corner.
6. Change the rear-facing camera to a front-facing camera
Here’s a shortcut for those who like to sneak around. Instead of tapping the camera icon at the top right corner of the screen to change the camera view, just double-tap the screen. It automatically switches from the rear-facing camera to the front-facing camera, and vice versa.
7. Take a moment.
The replay feature allows you to replay a snap that was sent to you within the last 24 hours. Remember, however, that it will only allow you to replay the snap you last watched. To reproduce, just tap the drop-down component you want to display again, and a notification like the one below will appear. Type “Play Again”.
8. Tap to go through Stories.
Sometimes you may want to quickly move through certain Stories. Instead of waiting for the next snapshot to appear in a story, you can tap the screen (tapping down to see the story), and it will take you to the next snapshot.
9. Change the number of “best friends” displayed.
By default, Snapchat displays three of your most interacting friends on the “Send To” screen. According to Snapchat, these friends are automatically selected by the app’s friendship algorithm.
If you want to change the number of friends displayed, go to your settings (see the first step in this list). Tap “# of Best Friends”, and you can choose to view three, five, or seven friends.
