To use Snapchat and get started with sending snaps and using basic features, follow these steps:
- Download and install the Snapchat app: Visit your device’s app store (Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS) and search for “Snapchat.” Download and install the app on your device.
- Create an account: Launch the Snapchat app and tap on “Sign Up.” Enter your name, date of birth, and a username. Create a strong password, and provide a valid email address or phone number for verification purposes.
- Add friends: Snapchat relies on your contacts list to find and add friends. Grant the app permission to access your contacts, and it will display a list of your contacts who are also using Snapchat. You can select the friends you want to add, or you can manually search for friends by their username.
- Understanding the Snapchat interface:
- Camera screen: The default screen when you open Snapchat is the camera screen. Here you can take photos or record videos to send as snaps.
- Chat screen: Swipe right from the camera screen to access the chat screen, where you can send and receive messages, photos, and videos with your friends.
- Discover screen: Swipe left from the camera screen to access the Discover screen, where you can explore and view content from publishers, creators, and events.
- Sending a snap:
- From the camera screen, tap the large circular button to take a photo. Hold the button to record a video.
- After capturing a snap, you can add filters, text, stickers, or drawings by tapping on the icons on the screen.
- Once you’re satisfied with your snap, tap the blue arrow icon at the bottom-right corner.
- Select the friends you want to send the snap to by tapping on their names in the “To” field. You can also send it to your Story, which is a collection of snaps visible to all your friends for 24 hours.
- Tap the blue arrow icon to send the snap.
- Viewing received snaps: When you receive a snap from a friend, you’ll get a notification. Open the chat screen and tap on your friend’s name to view the snap. Snaps sent to you directly will disappear after you view them, while snaps in your Story will remain visible for 24 hours.
These are the basics of using Snapchat to send snaps and interact with your friends. Snapchat offers many additional features like filters, lenses, Memories, and Snap Map, which you can explore as you become more comfortable with the app.