To edit a picture on Snapchat, take the snap, then use the toolbar on the right side of the screen: Text, Draw, Stickers, Scissors, Link, Crop, Music and Timer. Swipe left or right on the photo for filters. To edit an older photo, open Memories, open the snap, tap the three dots, then choose Edit Snap.
Everything happens inside Snapchat itself, so you don't need a second app to add text, draw on a photo or cut out a sticker. The tools sit in the same place on most phones, and they only appear after you take (or open) a snap.
Below I've gone through the editing tools one by one, so you can see what each does and when it's worth using. After that, I'll show you how to edit a photo you've already saved, and how to share or download the finished picture.
The Snapchat editing tools, one at a time
Take a photo, and look at the vertical row of icons on the right of your screen. That's the editing toolbar. If you don't see every icon, tap the small arrow to expand the list.
Text (the T icon)
Tap the T to type a caption. You can change the colour, the style and the size, and drag the text anywhere on the photo. A short caption, placed away from faces, nearly always looks neater than a long one.
Draw (the pencil)
The pencil lets you draw freehand with your finger. Pick a colour, draw, and use the undo arrow if you slip. It's perfect for circling something, adding a quick arrow or sketching a little doodle.
Stickers
The sticker icon opens a library of stickers, emoji and other fun extras. Tap one to add it, then pinch to resize and twist with two fingers to rotate. Drag it to where you want it.
Scissors (cut-out stickers)
The scissors turn part of your photo into a sticker. Trace around the object or person you want, and Snapchat makes a cut-out you can place on the picture. It's a fun way to make your own stickers from your own photos.
Link (the paperclip)
The paperclip lets you attach a link to your snap, so the people who receive it can open the page from there. Only attach links you trust and would be happy to explain to a friend.
Crop
Crop trims the picture to the part you want. It's useful if you've caught something messy at the edge of the frame, or you want the focus to be on one thing. Drag the corners, then confirm.
Music
Music lets you add a sound to your snap. Browse what's on offer, choose a track and it plays with your picture. Availability depends on your country and the version of the app.
Timer
The timer sets how long your friend can look at the snap once they open it. Choose a short time for a quick reaction, or a longer time if there's text to read.
Filters: swipe left or right
Filters work differently from the toolbar. After you take your photo, just swipe left or right across it to flip through them. You'll find colour filters, and others that show the time or the weather.
Some filters need your location, so Snapchat asks permission before it shows them. If you don't see the filter you want, check that location permission is on for Snapchat in your phone settings.
One more thing: Lenses aren't the same as filters. Lenses apply before you take the snap, using the camera, so you need to choose them first. You can't add a Lens to a photo afterwards.
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Edit an old snap from Memories
Maybe you saved a photo last week and you want to add a caption today. Snapchat lets you do that from Memories.
- Open Snapchat to the camera screen and swipe up to open Memories.
- Tap the snap you want to edit.
- Tap the three dots menu and choose Edit Snap.
- Use the toolbar to add text, draw, add stickers or crop.
- Tap Save, then choose whether to save it as a copy or replace the original.
I'd always pick save as copy the first time. That way, if you don't like the result, the original picture is still safe. Snapchat moves things around between versions, so if a menu name looks different on your phone, search the app's settings for the word Memories or Edit.
A simple order that works
If you're not sure where to begin, this order keeps things tidy. Start with Crop so the frame is right. Then try a filter, because it changes the colours of the whole picture. Add stickers and drawings next, and put the text on last, so it sits on top and stays easy to read.
If you make a mistake halfway through, use the undo arrow rather than starting again. And if you're editing a snap from Memories and you've lost track of what you changed, close the edit screen without saving. Your original is still there.
Save and share your edited picture
When you're happy with the result, you have a few options:
- Send it to a friend or group with the arrow button.
- Add it to your Story so friends can watch it for a while.
- Save it to Memories, so you can find it later.
- Download it to your camera roll, using the save button, if you want it in your phone's gallery.
If you're sending photos to keep a streak going, it doesn't matter how fancy the edit is. Here's a quick explainer on what a Snapchat streak means if you're not sure how those work.
Tips for better-looking snaps
- Keep text short, and put it where it won't cover faces.
- Pick one or two edits per picture. Too many stickers and drawings make a snap messy.
- Take the photo in good light. Editing can't fix a dark picture.
- Use Crop before you add text, so your captions don't get cut off.
- Try Scissors on a pet, a plant or a favourite mug. It's a lovely way to build a sticker collection.
If you're curious about how long the app has been around, here's when Snapchat came out. And if you enjoy photo edits beyond Snapchat, take a look at how trending ChatGPT photo edits are being used on Instagram.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the editing tools on Snapchat?
After you take a snap, the editing tools sit in the toolbar on the right side of the screen. They include Text, Draw, Stickers, Scissors, Link, Crop, Music and Timer. Tap the small arrow to expand the list if you can't see them all.
How do I add filters to a Snapchat photo?
Take the photo, then swipe left or right across it. Some filters, like the time and weather ones, need location permission to appear.
Can I edit a picture I saved on Snapchat?
Yes. Swipe up from the camera to open Memories, open the snap, tap the three dots, choose Edit Snap, make your changes, then save as a copy or replace the original.
Do I need another app to edit Snapchat pictures?
No. Snapchat's own tools cover text, drawing, stickers, cut-outs, cropping and filters, so you can edit without a third-party app.
How do I save an edited snap to my camera roll?
Use the save button on the edit screen to download it. That puts a copy in your phone's gallery as well as in Memories.
