New to Snapchat? Read This!

Learn tips and tricks to maximize your Snapchat app. Edit photos and videos, use fun AR filters, and chat with friends. Download now on your iOS device.

Snapchat is essentially three apps in one: a photo and video editor with super-fun augmented-reality Lenses, a social network, and a source for bite-size entertainment. Here’s a cheat sheet for all the app has to offer.

Camera

What’s there: Take photos and record videos (touch and hold the shutter button). To switch between regular and selfie modes, double-tap the screen.
Pro tip: Add text, stickers, music, scribbles, links, and more to your Snaps using the tools in the upper right of the screen.
Shortcut gesture: None—it’s the app’s home screen!

Chat

What’s there: The messaging side of the app, where you can trade text and video messages with friends.
Pro tip: To make a voice or video call, select a friend, then tap the appropriate icon at the top of the screen.
Shortcut gesture: Swipe right from the Camera screen.

Lenses

What’s there: The augmented-reality Lenses the app is famous for. Wonder what you’d look like with a cowboy hat and gigantic mustache? Want to see a hot dog twerk on your dining table? Go for it!
Pro tip: Tap the Explore button, then swipe through the categories to browse. (Face Lenses transform your selfies; World Lenses add fun elements to the space around you.)
Shortcut gesture: Tap the smiley face on the Camera screen.

Search

What’s there: An easy way to search for friends, Stories from publishers, Lenses, and Snaps you’ve saved to Memories. You’ll also find Snaps and Stories of the moment, plus fun mini-games and trending users, publishers, shows, Lenses, and games.
Pro tip: Search a mental-health topic like anxiety, depression, grief, or bullying to see Snapchat’s helpful Here For You videos.
Shortcut gesture: Swipe down from the Camera screen.

Memories

What’s there: Every Snap and Story you created.
Pro tip: You can password-protect a Snap by saving it to the My Eyes Only vault.
Shortcut gesture: Swipe up from the Camera screen.

Spotlight

What’s there: Riveting short videos from users and publishers around the world.
Pro tip: To favorite a Snap and see more like it, tap the heart. To see other Snaps with the same hashtag, tap the icon with three dots.
Shortcut gesture: Swipe left from the Camera screen.

Snap Map

What’s there: Snaps of live events and breaking news around you—and what’s happening at major landmarks.
Pro tip: If your Snapchat friends have shared their location, check the Snap Map to see where they’re at.
Shortcut gesture: Swipe right twice from the Camera screen. (To go back to the Chat screen, swipe left with two fingers.)