How To Use Snapchat: The Ultimate Guide

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… There are just so many platforms out there! You might as well create an account in each one of them, but truth be told, all platforms are different from each other.

For instance, Instagram, by nature, is way more public than Twitter. The same goes for Snapchat - if you are looking for a private environment, then this app is for you.

Now, that doesn’t mean that Snapchat is an “exclusive network,” but when it comes to sharing moments only with the people you choose, then it offers a significant advantage that users appreciate.

What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a social media app launched back in 2011 by Snap Inc. The first thing that we must mention about this platform is the fact that it is only offered as a mobile app for iOs and Android devices.

As of today, almost half of Snapchat users are located in the United States, but that doesn’t mean that the platform is limited to that country.

It has many features that have been widely adopted by other platforms, such as Stories and Videos.

Nonetheless, Snapchat revolves around “Snaps,” which are just messages that can be sent from one user to another and that usually disappear after someone sees them.

What Makes the Snapchat App Different from Other Platforms?

Some say that Instagram stories were inspired by the Snaps features implemented by Snapchat years before. Right now, Instagram almost triples Snapchat’s overall monthly active users with 46 million for Snapchat and 121 million for Instagram.

So, why is Snapchat special? At the end of the day, you can upload a custom story with your selfie camera or rear camera on other platforms too.

Well, the fact that you can send snaps that are later deleted after just one view was really astonishing back in the day. Snapchat notifies users when someone takes a screenshot of their messages, so it takes privacy one step beyond.

There are ways to take a Screenshot on Snapchat Without Them Knowing, but by default, users that share snaps trust that their messages are safe and sound.

Pro Tip: You can Delete Snapchat Messages you’ve sent if you please. This includes text, photos, and videos, so worry not. Read our guide to learn how to do it!

Let’s set up your Snapchat account! Your next snap (or first snap) is about to be sent, so without further ado, let’s get to it.

Set Up your Snapchat Account

Once again, you can only officially download Snapchat on your Android phone or iOs device. The platform doesn’t offer PC or Mac support, so keep this in mind.

Search Snapchat on your preferred app platform or simply tap the link we have previously posted here. The platform will ask you for your phone number, as well as your email address.

Setting up a username is crucial because it is the way that your friends are going to find you. Likewise, your Cartoon Avatar serves as a representation of yourself inside the platform, and you’ll be able to manage it on your profile screen.

Pro Tip: Don’t worry if you can’t properly set up your Snapchat user at first - you can always customize it at your will. Besides, it’s possible to have Two Snapchat Accounts at the same time if you please.

Snapchat Interface (Camera Screen, Chat Screen, Stories, and More)

Basically, Snapchat allows users to send any kind of message, photo, or video. Navigating Snapchat is pretty intuitive, so you’ll probably just exchange snaps within minutes.

On the app’s home screen, you will find 6 main options:

• Profile Icon: if you tap it, you’ll be subsequently led to a gear icon where you can customize your account at your will (here you can turn on Snapchat Dark Mode);
• Snap Maps Icon: Maps are a fundamental part of Snapchat mechanics, but worry not - we’ll elaborate on it;
• Chat Icon: it’s possible to create an individual or group chat with your friends by using this button;
• Snapchat Camera: is the main screen that comes with a prominent capture button. The capture button allows you to take photos or videos easily;
• Story: tap this button to view, send, or create stories on the platform;
• Spotlight: show me what’s trending! Here you can view snaps that have managed to become trending inside the platform.

Your profile screen is set and ready to go, so now it’s time to open Snapchat and take advantage of all the amazing features it offers for us!

Add Friends to Your Profile

Firstly, you need to find friends. Snapchat will show you a list of suggested friends once you register on the platform, but you can tap on that magnifying glass and look for people on the search screen.

Can’t you find or add friends efficiently? Check out our Find Someone on Snapchat guide! Moving on, remember that your Snapchat friends will be able to see your stories, communicate with you, and more.

You can send them a text, photo, or video just by tapping on the previously mentioned “Chat” icon.

Pro Tip: After you add friends, you can manage your friends list from the app. Is there a friend missing from the list? Maybe they have blocked you. Learn how to Know if Someone Blocked You on Snapchat by reading our blog post.

Sending and Receiving Snaps

After you add friends, it’s time to send snaps. Tap on the main camera icon on the app to take a photo and video - it’s your choice.

Then, a circular icon, which is known as the capture button, will allow you to create snaps with the content you record. Keep in mind that you can also upload content from your camera roll if you please. Also, you can make video calls using your camera view with them.

Nonetheless, if there’s a problem with your friend request, a Pending Status on Snapchat will appear when you send a message. Make sure that your friend has accepted your invitation before sending photos from your camera roll!

Read Also: It’s possible to save snaps on a friend’s chat, and the snaps saved will be shown as chat media on the top left corner of the screen. But, is it possible to delete Snapchat messages someone has saved? We have the answer you are looking for in our article!

Post a Snapchat Story

Snapchat stories are, for many, a form of art. Thanks to the creative tools offered by the platform, you can unleash your imagination in the next story you post.

The Stories screen will show you the friends story you want to look at. If you want to create custom stories, the following icons in the upper right corner of the screen will help you:

• Sticker Icon: it allows you to put custom Stickers in your video snap stories;
• Scissors Icon: you can edit and cut the videos you upload with this option;
• T icon: allows you to add text to a story;
• Stopwatch Icon: by tapping it, you can set the time which a story will be available;
• Paperclip Icon: it’s a good feature to add links directly in the story;
• Arrow Icon: when your story is set and ready to go, tap on the arrow and send it away!

Pro Tip: There’s also a Memories Screen on the bottom right corner of the camera screen that allows you to save certain snaps that you have previously sent to someone. If you want to know how to use Snapchat memories, go to the Official Snapchat Website.

Use the Spotlight Screen

On the right side of the camera screen, you will find Spotlight. At first, there was the Discover Screen, but Snapchat decided to replace it with Spotlight.

Where you can find trending snaps that are usually very fun to watch, so don’t sleep on this tab!

Read Also: Did someone just text you SB? But what’s SB Meaning on Snapchat? Learn the context of this acronym by reading our blog post!

Browse the Snap Map

The Snap Map feature is a great option to check people near you. It also shows places and trending locations on the map screen, so you can hang out with other Snapchatters.

If you don’t want anyone to find you, just toggle Ghost Mode on, and no one will know where you are!

Those are Snapchat basics; now it’s time to enhance your experience a little more!

Snapchat Streak

Show off your friendship with Snapchat Streaks! Whenever you send a snap to someone during many consecutive days, a number will appear next to their name on the chat tab.

The bigger this number is, the better your friendship. Be careful, though - you need to send messages every day. Otherwise, you might end up Losing Snapchat Streak.

Snapchat Public Stories and Profile

Most people use Snapchat to send Private Stories, but for those who want the world to know their full potential, there’s an option to create moments that everyone can see.

You can set up a Public Profile on Snapchat and people will follow you for your interesting content. It’s not easy to become Snapchat famous, but with a little bit of practice, you will certainly achieve it.

Snap Score

The Snap Score is a number that represents your overall activity on the platform. As of today, Snapchat hasn’t fully revealed how they calculate this score.

Nonetheless, we have written a guide that shows you how to increase your Snapchat score - check it out!

Pro Tip: Don’t want to share your stats? There are few ways to hide Snapchat score. Nevertheless, if you have impulsively did so, then you might as well want to know how to Unblock Someone on Snapchat. Check our blog post to learn more.

Snapchat Lenses and Snapchat Filters

Your camera screen can perfectly blend with the real world, thanks to Snapchat Lenses! Take a look at the world around you and find unique experiences with Lenses. Unfortunately, the Lenses feature is not available everywhere.

On the other hand, Snapchat Filters are designed to work in someone’s face. Unlike filters, Lenses can be created over objects, such as houses, buildings, and streets.

There are specific location-based filters as well, and since most Snapchat users are located in the USA, foreign users can experience serious limitations when it comes to using these features.

Read Also: Private Stories on Snapchat are a great way to interact with your mutuals! Did you run out of ideas? Check our 100+ Snapchat Private Stories Names Ideas blog post so you can surprise your friends.

Is Snapchat not working as it should? Do not despair - the issues related to this app are usually easy to solve.

It might happen that Snapchat won’t open on your phone. In that case, we are talking about a problem with the application. Uninstall it and install it back.

All issues that you encounter are either caused by problems with your device’s app or with Snapchat Servers, which hardly fail.

So, before you delete your Snapchat account out of frustration, you better check our guides to solve your problems once and for all.

Snapchat Support Team

Your Snapchat account might get locked if you fail to comply with Snapchat community standards. It’s a common procedure that happens in other social platforms as well, and sometimes it won’t be elementary to Unlock your Snapchat account.

In this scenario, the best course of action is to contact Snapchat support and explain your case in detail.

Fortunately, the Snapchat Support Team is always ready to answer your inquiries quickly and efficiently.

They are also ready to assist you on Twitter in case your issue is easy to solve.

Final words - Snapchat provides awesome features, an enjoyable environment, and an outstanding interface for all those who want to enjoy the app.

Send photos and videos on the chat screen, post stories, and let the world know your full potential on the Spotlight tab - the choice is yours! For more Snapchat content, make sure to stay tuned in GrowFollowing.

FAQ

What Are Snapchat Spectacles?

Spectacles are augmented reality tools created by Snap Inc. They work as glasses that show real-time information about the user’s environment in a very innovative way. To learn more about Snapchat Spectacles, click here.

Can I Use Snapchat from a Computer?

There isn’t an official Snapchat desktop application, but you might as well download an Android Emulator as an exe file. The most popular emulator is BlueStacks, but it is safe to mention that users that download it won’t receive any kind of help directly from Snapchat Support Team.