How to Use Snapchat Filters to Boost Your Snaps: The Ultimate Guide

Discover how to use Snapchat filters to add fun effects to your selfies and stories. Quick and easy steps to make your snaps more creative and engaging. However, to add more filters to your Snapchat videos or edit them, use the CapCut desktop video editor.

how to use snapchat filters
CapCut
CapCut
Aug 25, 2025
9 min(s)

Snapchat filters are a fun and creative way to make your snaps stand out. They can change colors, add special effects, or even place animations on your photos and videos with just a tap. Whether you want to make your selfies more stylish or add humor to your snaps, filters make it easy. Many beginners think using them is tricky, but it's actually very simple once you know where to look.

In this guide, you will learn how to use Snapchat filters to create snaps that are colorful, lively, and share-worthy.

Table of content
  1. Why do you need to use Snapchat filters
  2. 5 must use Snapchat filters
  3. How to enable Snapchat filters in Settings
  4. How to create a video on Snapchat with filters
  5. How to use Snapchat filters on TikTok
  6. Apply diverse filters to your Snapchat videos: CapCut desktop
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQs

Why do you need to use Snapchat filters

Using Snapchat filters is quick and enjoyable once you understand the basics. You can easily browse through a range of creative options to give your snaps a fresh and unique touch. Here's why you need to use Snapchat filters on photos to make your snaps stand out.

  • Enhance aesthetics: Filters can blur skin, adjust lighting, and add effects that give photos and videos a more professional look.
  • Express creativity: From playful AR effects (dog ears, anime looks, makeup) to thematic overlays, filters enable users to experiment with different styles and moods.
  • Follow trends: Using trending or seasonal filters enables users to engage in viral trends, making snaps more engaging and shareable.
  • Add context: Geofilters, time stamps, or event frames add more context and freeze the moment.
  • Entertainment: Filters are interactive and fun; some even change your voice or react to motion, so they're enjoyable for creators and viewers.
  • Branding & marketing: Businesses use filters to promote products, events, or campaigns more interactively.

5 must use Snapchat filters

If you want to make your snaps more engaging and eye-catching, Snapchat filters are worth trying. They provide a variety of effects and designs that can instantly enhance your photos or videos. Below are five standout Snapchat filters that can enhance the quality and creativity of your snaps.

    1
  1. Cartoon 3D style

This filter changes your face into a fun and lively 3D cartoon version with bright colors and smooth details. The playful design and artistic effect make snaps more entertaining for friends. A great option for anyone wanting a creative and animated look in their photos.

Cartoon 3D style filter
    2
  1. Baby face

The Baby Face filter softens your features and makes you look adorably younger in a cute, funny way. Friends are often surprised by the completely transformed and childlike appearance. Ideal for lighthearted snaps that bring smiles and laughter.

Baby face filter
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  1. Butterflies crown

This filter surrounds your head with colorful, animated butterflies and adds a gentle, glowing effect. Natural lighting makes the butterflies appear even more vivid and magical. A lovely choice for those looking to capture a dreamy and enchanting moment.

Butterflies crown filter
    4
  1. Vogue noir

Vogue Noir gives your photos a bold and dramatic black-and-white style that feels like a fashion magazine cover. Strong contrasts highlight your features, creating a striking and refined look. Best for creating classy, stylish, and timeless snaps worth sharing.

Vogue Noir filter
    5
  1. Fire sunglasses

This filter adds trendy black sunglasses with fiery reflections in the lenses for a confident, cool vibe. The bold design instantly boosts the energy and drama of your snaps. Perfect for playful moments with a daring and stylish touch.

Fire sunglasses filter

How to enable Snapchat filters in Settings

Before you can start using Snapchat filters, you need to make sure they are turned on in your settings. This quick step will unlock all the effects and designs available in the app. Follow these simple instructions to learn how to add filters to Snapchat, enabling phone settings.

    STEP 1
  1. Turn on filters in Snapchat

Go to "My Profile" and select the gear icon to open "Settings". Under additional services, select "Manage" and switch the filters option on to activate them.

    STEP 2
  1. Enable location services on iOS

Open your device's settings and tap "Privacy". Select location services and turn them on, then enable access specifically for Snapchat.

    STEP 3
  1. Enable location services on Android

Open your device's settings and select location. Tap to turn on activate location services, ensuring Snapchat can use location-based filters.

Image showing how to enable Snapchat filters in settings

How to create a video on Snapchat with filters

Creating videos with filters on Snapchat is a simple way to make your content more fun and appealing. Filters can add colors, effects, and unique designs that bring your videos to life. Follow these easy steps to record a video on Snapchat using filters.

    STEP 1
  1. Open Snapchat and select a filter

Open Snapchat, switch between front and rear cameras if needed, then tap and hold on the screen to open the "Lens Carousel". Scroll and choose your desired filter.

    STEP 2
  1. Record your video

Press and hold the record button to start capturing; release to stop. The filter stays applied during recording.

    STEP 3
  1. Edit and share

Add text, stickers, or effects, then send to friends or post to your Story.

Image showing how to create a video on Snapchat with filters

How to use Snapchat filters on TikTok

Applying Snapchat filters to your TikTok videos brings a fresh flair to your content. Merging the strengths of both apps enables you to create more captivating and visually striking posts. Here's how to add snap filters on TikTok:

    STEP 1
  1. Create and save a Snapchat video

Open Snapchat, choose a filter from the explore section, and record your video. Once done, enhance it with text, stickers, or audio, and then save it to your device.

    STEP 2
  1. Upload the video to TikTok

Launch the TikTok app and tap the "Upload" button. Select the saved Snapchat video from your gallery, click "Next," and make any final edits. Add a caption or hashtags to increase engagement, then tap "Post" to share it with your audience.

    STEP 4
  1. Add TikTok filters or effects

If you want to enhance the Snapchat video further, open TikTok's editing screen. Apply special effects, or use the "Filters" tab to choose from TikTok's popular filter options before posting.

Image showing how to use Snapchat filters on TikTok

Apply diverse filters to your Snapchat videos: CapCut desktop

CapCut desktop video editor is a smart choice for enhancing Snapchat videos with a variety of creative filters and stunning effects. It includes tools like AI color correction, AI video resizer, and background remover to give your content a clean, sharp, and professional touch. With its simple and quick tools, CapCut makes your Snapchat videos stand out in no time.

Interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - the best tool to apply filters to Snapchat videos

Key features

  • Versatile library of video filters

CapCut offers a wide range of video filters to enhance mood, style, and tone, making your videos more engaging and visually appealing.

  • AI color correction

CapCut AI color correction tool automatically balances tones and enhances colors to give every frame a vibrant and professional finish.

  • AI video resizer and upscaler

With the CapCut AI video upscaler tool, you can adjust video dimensions or boost resolution while keeping the quality crisp and clear.

  • Add subtitles to videos

You can insert accurate captions to make your content more engaging, clear, and easy to follow for every viewer.

  • Easily remove background

CapCut video background remover cuts out unwanted backgrounds in seconds to keep only the subject you want to highlight.

  • Supports exporting 8K videos

You can easily save your high-quality projects in stunning 8K resolution for crystal-clear, professional-grade playback on any device.

How to edit or customize videos for Snapchat on CapCut

If you haven't installed CapCut on your computer yet, click the button below to download it now. After installation, just follow these simple steps to start editing and customizing videos for Snapchat.

    STEP 1
  1. Upload the video

Launch CapCut and navigate to the main editing interface. Select "Import" to upload your video from your computer onto the timeline for editing.

Importing the media into the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Edit and customize the video

After dragging the video into the timeline, you can trim, crop, split, rotate, reverse, or mirror clips to refine your content. You can also enhance the video by adding stickers, effects, transitions, and filters for a more engaging result. Additionally, resize the video to fit your desired format and use the background remover feature to create a clean and professional look.

Editing and customizing video in the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

When you're satisfied with your edits, choose the "Export" button and customize the video settings to your preference. Then, press "Export" once more to save the video to your device.

Exporting the media from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

After learning how to get Snapchat filters, you can easily make your photos and videos more fun, vibrant, and eye-catching. Filters help express your mood and personal style, making your snaps more creative and engaging for your audience. Whether you want playful effects or stylish enhancements, using filters adds a unique and memorable touch to your content.

For better results, CapCut desktop video editor provides advanced tools to customize your Snapchat videos with filters, effects, and smooth edits. Its user-friendly interface makes editing simple and helps you create professional-quality videos with ease.

FAQs

    1
  1. How to use Snapchat filters on both cameras?

To use Snapchat filters on both front and rear cameras, simply open the app and switch between cameras using the camera flip icon. Once the camera is active, swipe left or right to browse available filters and lenses. Make sure the app has permission to access both cameras for a smooth experience. For more creative editing and filter options, you can refine your Snapchat videos using the CapCut desktop video editor.

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  1. How to use Snapchat filters without an internet connection?

Snapchat filters usually require an internet connection to download new effects, but you can still use previously saved filters offline. Open the app while connected to Wi-Fi or data, save your favorite filters, and then use them without internet later. Offline filters work best with ones already stored in your device cache. For advanced offline editing and enhancement, consider using the CapCut desktop video editor to refine your Snapchat clips.

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  1. How to use Snapchat filters with multiple faces?

To apply Snapchat filters on multiple faces, open the app and point the camera at the group. Snapchat automatically detects multiple faces and shows filters designed for groups or multiple users. Swipe through lenses until you find one that supports multiple faces and tap to apply. For more detailed group video edits and effects, try enhancing your clips with the CapCut desktop video editor.

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