Snapchat: 12 hidden features you need to know about

It isn't the easiest app to navigate

Aatif Sulleyman

Monday 30 October 2017 19:25

A lot of Snapchat's features are either buried inside menus or just not especially obvious

(Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

There's a reason Facebook has decided to rip most of Snapchat's biggest features.

The photo- and video-sharing app is immensely popular amongst youngsters, thanks to its vibrant user interface, enormous range of editing features and the prominence it gives to emoji.

However, it isn't the easiest app to navigate.

A lot of Snapchat's more interesting features are either buried inside menus you wouldn't usually open, or just not especially obvious.

We’ve rounded up a selection of the best. Click on the gallery below to start browsing.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Show all 12

1/1212 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Shoot 60-second Snaps

Android and iOS users can record up to 60 seconds of Snapchat footage with Multi-Snap (the previous limit was 10 seconds). All you need to do is tap and hold the circular Record button, and keep holding it for up to 60 seconds. Snapchat will split the footage into 10-second segments, which you can edit individually, though your recording will play continuously when you send it to your friends or add it to your Story.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Draw with emoji

You can draw with emoji rather than regular digital brushstrokes by tapping the pen icon after you’ve shot a snap and then hitting the symbol under the colour palette.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Create your own Geofilter

You can create your own Geofilters, for occasions like weddings and birthdays, or even for places that are special to you. Go to Settings, hit On-Demand Geofilters and choose when and where you’d like it to appear.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Use multiple filters

Once you’ve applied a filter to your snap, tap and hold the screen with one finger and swipe with another to layer another filter on top of it.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Save data

You can reduce the amount of data Snapchat munches through by enabling Travel Mode. Find it by swiping down from the main camera screen, going to Settings and scrolling down to Manage Preferences.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Understand emoji

From here, you can also learn what those emoji that appear next to your friends’ names mean. Change the ones you want to change by tapping on them.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Message symbols

It’s also useful to understand what Snapchat’s different-coloured arrows and squares mean, so you’ll no longer be unsure whether you can open a message in public or not.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Snapcodes

Create your own Snapcode GIF by swiping down from the main camera screen and hitting the Snapchat icon and then the camera button.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Collect trophies

You can find out how many Snapchat trophies you’ve earned by tapping the trophy icon above your Snapcode. You can unlock more by trying out new things with the app.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Hide things you don't like

The Featured section is definitely one of the worst Snapchat features. Fortunately, you can hide stories you have no interest in seeing by tapping and holding it, then selecting Hide Story.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Snap Map

Snap Map caused a huge amount of controversy when it launched, with people afraid that the feature could expose children to danger. You can access it by pinching the camera screen, and hide yourself from fellow Snapchat users by tapping the Settings icon and enabling Ghost Mode.

12 useful Snapchat features you didn't know existed

Share music

You can Shazam a song within Snapchat by tapping and holding the camera screen. Once it identifies it, you can share the song with your friends.

Read all of our latest Snapchat news here.

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