Snapchat's built-in editing tools let you adjust, draw on, and add text to photos right in the app before you send them
Snapchat gives you editing options at two different points: while you are taking the photo, and after you have taken it. The tools available depend on which moment you choose. If you edit while the camera is still open, you get filters, lenses, and real-time effects. If you edit after you snap the photo, you get drawing tools, text, stickers, and adjustments to brightness and contrast. Most people use both — they explore a filter while shooting, then add text or drawings after.
The editing happens inside Snapchat itself. You do not need to open a separate app or save the photo to your phone first. Everything stays in Snapchat until you choose to send it, save it, or delete it.
Key Takeaways
- Swipe left or right on the camera screen to cycle through filters and lenses before you take the photo.
- After you snap a photo, tap the edit icon (a pencil or paintbrush) to add text, drawings, stickers, or adjust brightness.
- Drawing tools let you choose pen, marker, or eraser, and you can change the color by tapping the color wheel.
- Text appears in a box you can move and resize, and you can change the font style by tapping the text box itself.
- All edits are temporary — they exist only in that message until you send it or save it to your phone.
how the process works filters and lenses while the camera is open
Open Snapchat and point the camera at what you want to photograph. Before you take the photo, swipe left or right across the screen. Each swipe shows you a different filter or lens. Filters are straightforward color overlays or light adjustments. Lenses are more complex — they might add animated effects, distort your face, or overlay graphics on the scene.
Keep swiping until you find one you like, then tap the circle at the bottom of the screen to take the photo. The filter or lens applies to that photo automatically. If you change your mind after taking the photo, you cannot go back and swap the filter — you would need to delete the photo and take a new one with a different filter selected.
How to add drawings and text after you take the photo
After you tap the circle to take the photo, Snapchat shows you the photo full-screen. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a row of icons. Tap the pencil or paintbrush icon to open the drawing tools. You now have three options: a pen (thin lines), a marker (thick, semi-transparent lines), or an eraser.
To change the color, tap the colored circle at the bottom left. A color wheel appears. Tap anywhere on the wheel to pick a new color, or tap the white circle in the center to cycle through preset colors. Draw directly on the photo by dragging your finger. If you make a mistake, switch to the eraser tool and drag over the lines you want to remove.
To add text, tap the "T" icon in the bottom row. A text box appears in the middle of the photo. Type what you want to say. The text appears in white by default. Tap the text box itself (not the T icon again) to change the font style — Snapchat offers several options, from plain to bold to outlined. You can also tap the colored circle to change the text color. Drag the text box to move it around the photo, or pinch the corners to resize it.
How to adjust brightness and contrast
After you take the photo, look for an icon that looks like a sun or a slider — this is usually near the drawing tools at the bottom. Tap it to open brightness and contrast adjustments. You will see two sliders. Drag the first slider left to darken the photo or right to brighten it. Drag the second slider to adjust contrast (how much the light and dark areas stand out from each other).
These adjustments affect the entire photo. You cannot brighten just one part of the image — the change applies to everything. If you want to undo an adjustment, drag the slider all the way back to the middle.
How to add stickers and other overlays
Tap the sticker icon (usually a smiley face or a square with a corner folded) to see Snapchat's sticker library. You can scroll through categories like emojis, Bitmojis (cartoon versions of your face), or themed stickers. Tap a sticker to place it on the photo. Drag it to move it, pinch to resize it, or rotate it by using two fingers in a twisting motion. Tap the sticker again to delete it.
Some stickers are animated — they move or change when you send the photo. Snapchat marks these clearly in the sticker picker. You can layer multiple stickers on top of each other, and they will all appear when you send the photo.
How to save or send your edited photo
Once you are happy with your edits, you have three choices. Tap the arrow icon to send the photo to a specific person or group. Tap the read icon (usually a downward arrow) to save the photo to your phone's camera roll. Or tap the X to delete the photo without sending it.
If you send the photo, it disappears from the recipient's phone after they view it (unless they take a screenshot, which Snapchat will notify you about). If you save it to your phone, it stays there permanently and you can edit it further in other apps if you want. Snapchat does not delete your saved photos automatically.
What you cannot do with Snapchat's editing tools
Snapchat's built-in editor is designed for quick, fun edits, not detailed photo work. You cannot crop or rotate the photo — it stays in its original frame. You cannot remove objects or people from the background. You cannot adjust individual colors (like making the sky more blue while leaving everything else alone). You cannot add borders or frames beyond the stickers Snapchat provides.
If you need those kinds of edits, you have two options. You can save the photo to your phone and open it in a more powerful app like Snapseed, Lightroom, or Photoshop Express. Or you can use your phone's built-in photo editor (Apple Photos on iPhone, Google Photos on Android) before you upload the photo to Snapchat. Neither of these options is part of Snapchat itself, but both are free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a photo after I have already sent it?
No. Once you send a photo on Snapchat, it is gone from your phone and you cannot edit it. If you want to send a different version, you need to go back to the original photo on your phone, edit it there, and send it as a new message.
Do my edits show up if someone takes a screenshot?
Yes. All your drawings, text, stickers, and filter adjustments are part of the final image. If someone screenshots the photo, they get the edited version you sent, not the original. Snapchat notifies you when someone takes a screenshot of your message.
Can I undo an edit I just made?
Snapchat does not have an undo button. If you make a mistake with a drawing or text, you have to erase it manually or delete the entire photo and start over. Work carefully, or take multiple versions so you have a backup.
What happens to my edits if I close Snapchat before sending?
Your edits disappear. Snapchat does not save drafts. If you close the app or swipe away from the photo before sending it, all your drawings, text, and adjustments are lost and you cannot get them back.
Can I use filters and drawings on a photo I took with my phone's camera?
No. Snapchat's editing tools only work on photos taken inside the Snapchat app itself. If you want to add Snapchat filters to an existing photo from your camera roll, you would need to use a third-party app that mimics Snapchat filters, as Snapchat does not offer that feature built-in.