Author:
John Stephens
Date Of Creation:
1 January 2021
Update Date:
25 June 2024
Content
The Snapchat app upgrade gives you access to the latest features, including Lenses. After updating Snapchat, you need to check that the feature you want is enabled. The new Lenses feature isn't supported on all devices, but you can work around this limitation. If you like Snapchat's latest effects, check out Use Effects in Snapchat.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Android
Snapchat updates for Android 5.0 or later to use the Lenses feature. The Lenses feature requires a device running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher. If you have an Android 4.4 or earlier device, you won't be able to use this feature even if you have updated Snapchat. To check the Android version:
- Open the Settings section.
- Open "About phone" or "About device".
- Look for "Android version" (Android version).
- Some users also have trouble using Lenses even though their devices are running 5.0 or newer. If your device meets the hardware requirements but still isn't working, you should wait until Snapchat is updated. If you've jailbroken Android, you can tweak the Xposed framework. Click here for more information.
Open Google Play Store to update Snapchat. You can search in the application list or the desktop.
Press the Menu button (☰) and select "My apps" (My Application). Doing so opens a list of your installed apps.
Find "Snapchat" in the list. If there is a new Snapchat update available, the app will be placed under the "Updates available" category and have a "Update" button on the bottom right corner of the app screen.- You can search for Snapchat on Google Play to go to the app's page.
Press the "Update" button. You'll see this button on the app's page if an update is available. Click the "Update" button to download the update file, this may take a few minutes. The update is installed automatically, you will receive a notification when it's done.
- If you don't see the Update option, you're on the latest version of Snapchat. If you have updated to the latest version but cannot use special features such as Lenses, your device may not be supported.
Enable extensions. New features are not enabled by default. You can enable them in Snapchat's Settings menu.- Tap the Snapchat icon at the top of the Camera screen. This is the action of opening your profile.
- Click the wheel icon in the top right corner of your profile.
- Select "Manage" from the "Additional Services" category.
- Check the box to enable additional features such as Front-Facing Flash and Friend Emojis.
Use the new Lenses feature. If you are on a supported device and have updated Snapchat, you can access special lens effects by pressing and holding the face before taking the snap. Click here for more details.
Use the beta version of Snapchat. Snapchat on Android has a beta version that gives you access to new functions, but the app isn't as stable as the final release. If you are willing to accept an application that is frequently inactive, you can try it out.
- In the Settings menu, scroll down and select the "Join Snapchat Beta" entry.
- Select "Count me in!" (Including me!) For confirmation. You are redirected to a site to join the Google+ community, which is required to participate in the beta.
- Fill out the trial application and wait about 1 hour.
- Uninstall and reinstall Snapchat and the option "Snapchat Beta" will appear in the Settings menu. Use this menu to access experimental features.
Method 2 of 5: iPhone and iPad
Update Snapchat on iPhone 5 or later devices to use Lenses. The Lenses feature on Snapchat is only available on iPhone 5 and newer models. If you have an iPhone 4 or 4s, you won't be able to use Lenses even though you have updated Snapchat.
- The Lenses feature does not work on iPod 5th generation and older, or iPad 2 and older models.
- If your old device has been jailbroken, you can enable the Lenses feature by installing Cydia tweak. Click here for more information.
Open the App Store to check for Snapchat updates. You should see the App Store icon on your desktop.
Select the "Updates" tab. You will see it at the bottom of the screen.
Find "Snapchat" in the list "Available Updates" (Update Available). If Snapchat is not on this list, there are no updates available yet, you are on the latest version.
Click the "Update" button. The update will be downloaded immediately. The download and installation process may take a few minutes.
Start Snapchat. You can open Snapchat from the App Store by tapping the page or the icon on the home page.
Activate extra features. Not all new features were activated when updating Snapchat. You need to enable them in the Settings menu.
- Tap the Snapchat icon at the top of the Camera screen to open your profile.
- Tap the Wheel icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down and select "Manage" under "Additional Services".
- Drag the slider to activate each function.
Access to the Lenses function. If you have a newer iPhone and have updated Snapchat, you can use special lens effects to take pictures. Press and hold the face to use this function. Click here for more details.
Solve upgrade problems. Some users reported that they were unable to update Snpchat.When this happens, the app disappears from the desktop and in the store.
- Open Settings on your device.
- Select "General" -> "Usage" or "iCloud & Storage Usage" (Use iCloud or Storage).
- Select "Manage Storage" under "Storage".
- Select Snapchat from the app list then select "Delete App".
- Reinstall Snapchat from the App Store.
Method 3 of 5: Use the Lenses function
Update Snapchat to the latest version on supported devices. To use Lenses, you need the latest version of Snapchat. Follow the instructions above to install the latest version.
- You need to use Snapchat on a supported device. That means iPhone 5 and newer or devices running Android 5.0 or higher. The only exception is when you install tweaks on your iPhone and a jailbroken Android device.
Open the front camera on Snapchat. Usually the first screen that appears when you start Snapchat. You will see a snapshot directly from your device's front camera.
Change cameras if you are using the following camera. The Lenses function only works with the front camera. Tap the Camera icon in the top right corner of the screen to change cameras. You will see your face on the screen of your device.
Position the camera so that the entire face is illuminated. Lenses work best when it easily recognizes contours and distinguishes facial parts. Use this function in a well-lit room.
Press and hold the face for a few seconds. A border will appear around your face, and lenses options at the bottom of the screen.
- If the app cannot be started, change the position for the best light and let the entire face appear on the screen. Make sure to press and hold your finger for a few seconds without moving. Older devices may not be compatible with this app.
Swipe sideways to see lens options. Each time you choose, you will see the effect appear on your face.
- These effects change from day to day so today may not be the effect you like.
Execute additional commands, such as "Open your mouth.’ You will see commands displayed on the screen for some special effects.
Snap a Snap with the effect you want to use. Once you find the effect you want, you can take Snap as you normally would:
- Tap the circle button (with the lens effect icon) to take a Snap.
- Press and hold the circle button to record video with effects.
Edit and send Snap as usual. After taking Snap with selected effect, you can add text, filter, sticker or draw on it like other normal Snap. Once done, send it to a friend or post it to a Story. advertisement
Method 4 of 5: Use Lenses on an jailbroken Android device
Apply this method to use Lenses on an jailbroken Android device. Lenses require Android 5.0+. Some devices still don't work though. You can solve this problem if your device has been jailbroken. Taking control of a device is not a simple process, and it is different from device to device. You can check out more articles on wikiHow.
- Please refer to the articles on the internet for more details.
Install the Xposed framework on the jailbroken device. This is a tool that allows you to add modules to interfere with system and application. You can download the Xposed APK file here. Xposed only works on jailbroken devices.
Open the APK file on Android. Xposed will be installed.
Open the "Framework" menu in Xposed and select "Install / Update " (Install / Update). Wait a moment, you will see the Superuser request.
Select "Grant" to give Xposed superuser privileges. This will allow Xposed to make changes to the file system.
Restart the Android device when prompted. This will finish the Xposed installation process.
Run the Xposed installer. You can install modules to trick Snapchat into thinking you're using a supported device.
Select the "Download" item. This is the step that allows you to search and download a new module.
Press the Search button and type "SnapchatLensesEnabler.’ You will only get one result.
Tap on "SnapchatLensesEnabler" to open a specific information page. You will see a few options and module descriptions.
Select "Download" to download the module. The module will be downloaded to the device, which may take a few minutes.
Install the module after downloading. Please wait a few minutes.
Open the "Modules" menu. You will see a list of available modules.
Click on the dialog box "SnapchatLensesEnabler.’ This is the action to activate the new module.
Reboot the device and open Snapchat. Now you can use the same Lenses function as usual. advertisement
Method 5 of 5: Use Lenses on an jailbroken iPhone
Use this method with iPhone 5 and earlier models that are jailbroken. If you have an iPhone 4 or 4s and have jailbroken your device, you can install Cydia tweak to trick Snapchat into thinking you're using a newer iPhone. With this application you can use Lenses on unsupported devices. You need to jailbreak your device and install Cydia, which is beyond the scope of this article. You can refer to the articles on jailbreak iOS devices for more details.
Update the Snapchat app on the App Store. Follow the steps above to update Snapchat to the latest version.
Open Cydia on an jailbroken iPhone. You will see the Cydia app icon on your desktop. Cydia is a jailbreak manager that helps you use Snapchat functions.
Find "SCLenses4All.’ This item is available in the BigBoss repo (the default one), so it should appear without disturbing the Cydia source.
Open the "SCLenses4All" information page. Make sure you visit the page created by Jon Luca DeCaro.
Press "Install" (Setting). This is the preparation for the installation.
Click "Confirm" to proceed with the installation of "SCLenses4All". The file is very small, so it doesn't take long to download.
Start Snapchat after installing "SCLenses4All". Once installed, you can use Lenses on Snapchat right away. Note that because your device is not supported, it may malfunction during use.
- Snapchat startup time may take longer after "SCLenses4All" is installed.
