Open the Snapchat camera, tap the small down arrow in the right-hand toolbar to show all the tools, then tap the Portrait mode icon, which looks like a camera aperture. A slider lets you set how strong the background blur is. If you can't see the icon, update Snapchat first, because older or lower-end phones may not offer it.
Portrait mode keeps the person sharp and softens everything behind them, the same look you get from a good phone camera. Snapchat puts it inside its own camera, so you can use it without leaving the app. The catch is that the button is easy to miss.
I can't find portrait mode on Snapchat
If you've been staring at the camera screen and the option isn't there, work through this short list. Most people find it at step one or two.
- Expand the toolbar. The camera shows only a few icons on the right at first. Tap the small down arrow under them to reveal the rest.
- Update Snapchat. Open your phone's app store, search for Snapchat and tap Update if you see it. New camera tools often arrive in newer versions first.
- Check you're on the back or front camera in photo mode. Switch between the two cameras with the flip icon and look at the toolbar again.
- Think about your phone. Portrait mode isn't on every phone. Older or lower-end models may not show it at all, however much you update.
- Look for a different name or position. Snapchat moves tools around between versions. If a label looks different, scroll the expanded toolbar and search the app's settings for the word portrait.
If you've done all five and it's still missing, skip ahead to the phone-camera route below. It gives you a very similar result.
How to turn portrait mode on, step by step
- Open Snapchat. You'll land on the camera.
- Look at the toolbar on the right-hand side. Tap the small down arrow to expand it.
- Find the Portrait mode icon. It's a camera aperture style symbol, a little circle made of curved blades.
- Tap it to switch the effect on. Your background should soften straight away.
- Drag the slider to make the blur stronger or lighter until it looks natural.
- Frame your shot and tap the capture button.
You can then add text, drawings or stickers as normal, and send the snap or save it. Those editing tools work on portrait snaps in the same way as any other photo.
Tips for a better blur
Portrait mode works by working out where the person ends and the background begins. Anything you can do to make that easier will improve the result.
- Leave some distance behind you. The subject looks best a little way in front of the background, not pressed against a wall.
- Use good light. Face a window or a lamp. Dark rooms make the edges of your hair and shoulders look rough.
- Keep the background plain. A busy shelf or a patterned curtain can confuse the blur, so a plain wall or an open space is easier.
- Hold still. Let the camera settle for a second before you tap the capture button.
- Don't over-blur. A lighter setting usually looks more natural than the strongest one, especially around hair and glasses.
- Check the edges. Look closely at where the blur meets your outline before you send it. If it looks odd, move a little and try again.
No portrait mode? Use your phone camera instead
This is the route I'd take if the button simply isn't there on your phone. Most modern phones have a portrait setting in their own camera app, and you can bring the photo into Snapchat afterwards.
- Open your phone's own camera app and switch to its Portrait mode. You'll normally find it as a label beside Photo and Video.
- Take the photo, ideally in good light and with a bit of space behind you.
- Open Snapchat and swipe up from the camera to open Memories.
- Find your phone's camera roll inside Memories, tap the portrait photo, and use Snapchat's tools to edit or send it.
Menus differ by phone and by app version. If you don't see the camera roll straight away, search the Snapchat settings for the word Memories and check that photo access is allowed.
Some Lenses also soften or change the background, so a Lens can be a quick way to get a similar look. The effect depends on the Lens, so try a few. If you're curious about how far the app has come, Snapchat started out under a different name, Picaboo, back in 2011, and I explain the story in my guide to when Snapchat came out.
What to do after you take the snap
Once you've got a portrait you like, you've got a few options. You can send it straight to a friend, post it to your Story, or save it to Memories so you've got a copy. Saving first is a good habit, because you can edit or reuse it later.
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Sending photos back and forth is also how many people keep up their daily chats. If you want to know what the little number and flame beside a friend's name mean, read my explainer on what a snap streak means on Snapchat. And if you'd like to do more than send photos, there's a guide to playing Snapchat games with friends.
Front camera or back camera?
Both cameras can use the effect on supported phones, but they behave a little differently. The back camera usually has better detail and works well for photos of friends, pets or a meal on the table. The front camera is handy for selfies, though the blur edges can look rougher in dim rooms. Try both in the same spot and compare the two before you decide.
If you're taking a picture of someone else, tell them to stay still for a second and keep their hands clear of the background. Moving arms are the thing portrait blur finds hardest to cut out neatly.
Quick fixes if the blur looks wrong
- Blur on the wrong part: move a little further from the background and try again.
- Hair looks cut out: lower the blur strength or improve the lighting.
- The effect stutters: close other apps, then reopen Snapchat. A phone that's low on memory can struggle with live effects.
- The icon vanished after an update: look in the expanded toolbar again, since tools move around between versions.
I don't think you need to chase portrait mode if it isn't on your phone. A well-lit photo against a plain background can look great without any blur at all, and the phone-camera route covers the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Where is portrait mode on Snapchat?
Open the camera and tap the small down arrow in the right-hand toolbar to expand it. The Portrait mode icon looks like a camera aperture. Snapchat moves tools between versions, so scroll the toolbar if you don't see it at first.
Why is portrait mode missing on my Snapchat?
The most likely reasons are an out-of-date app or a phone that doesn't support it. Update Snapchat first. Older or lower-end phones may not show the option.
Can I change how strong the blur is?
Yes. After you switch portrait mode on, a slider lets you make the background blur lighter or stronger.
Can I use my phone's portrait photos on Snapchat?
Yes. Take the photo with your phone's own camera, then open Memories in Snapchat and choose it from your camera roll to edit and send.
