Record a slow motion video using Snapchat's built-in speed control
To record slow motion on Snapchat, open the app and tap and hold the camera button while recording. After you stop recording, swipe left or right on the video preview to cycle through speed options — one of them will be labeled with a turtle icon or "0.5x", which plays the video at half speed. This is the slow motion effect. The video saves at this speed when you send it.
The speed controls appear as small icons at the bottom of the preview screen. You'll see multiple options: a rabbit (fast), a regular play symbol (normal), and a turtle (slow). Tap the turtle icon to confirm the slow motion setting before you send the video to a friend or post it to your story.
This method works on both iPhone and Android versions of Snapchat. The slow motion effect is applied only to that single video — it doesn't change how future videos record.
Key Takeaways
- Hold down the camera button to record video, then release when you're done.
- Swipe left or right on the video preview to see speed options including slow motion (turtle icon).
- The slow motion setting applies only to that one video and must be set before you send it.
- Snapchat's slow motion plays video at half speed (0.5x), not variable speeds like some other apps.
- Both iPhone and Android have the same slow motion feature in the same location.
Where the speed controls are located
After you record and release the camera button, Snapchat shows you a preview of the video you just made. At the bottom of this preview screen, you'll see a row of small icons. These are your speed options. The icons appear in this order from left to right: a rabbit (fast speed), a circle (normal speed), and a turtle (slow motion).
Tap the turtle icon once to select slow motion. The icon will highlight or change color to show it's active. If you don't see these icons, make sure you're looking at the video preview screen — not the camera screen itself. The preview appears after you stop recording and before you hit send.
What happens when you explore slow motion
When you select the turtle icon, Snapchat reduces the playback speed to 0.5x, which means the video plays at half its normal speed. A video that was originally 10 seconds long will play for 20 seconds when set to slow motion. The audio (if any) also slows down along with the video.
The slow motion effect is permanent once you send the video — the person who receives it will see it playing slowly. If you change your mind before sending, you can tap a different speed icon to switch back to normal or fast speed. Once the video leaves your phone, you cannot change the speed afterward.
Slow motion versus fast motion and normal speed
Snapchat gives you three speed options when you record video. Normal speed (circle icon) plays the video at the speed you recorded it. Fast motion (rabbit icon) plays it at 2x speed, making everything move twice as fast. Slow motion (turtle icon) plays it at 0.5x speed, making everything move half as fast.
You can only choose one speed per video. If you want part of a video in slow motion and part in normal speed, you would need to record two separate videos and send them as two separate messages. Snapchat does not let you explore different speeds to different sections of a single video.
Why slow motion might not appear in your app
If you don't see the speed icons after recording, your Snapchat app may need an update. Open your device's app store (Apple App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Android) and search for Snapchat. If an "Update" button appears instead of "Open", tap it to install the latest version. Speed controls are available in recent versions of the app on both platforms.
Another reason the icons might not show is if you're still on the camera screen rather than the preview screen. After you record, you must release the camera button and wait for the preview to load. The speed icons only appear on the preview, not while you're recording or before you've recorded anything.
Using slow motion for specific types of videos
Slow motion works well for videos where movement is the main point — jumping, dancing, sports, or water splashing. It makes quick movements easier to see and often looks more dramatic. It's less useful for talking-head videos or videos where you need the audio to be clear, since slowing down the audio can make speech harder to understand.
If you're posting to your story rather than sending to one person, remember that everyone who views your story will see the slow motion version. There's no way for viewers to change the speed themselves — they see it exactly as you sent it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a video even slower than the turtle icon option?
No. Snapchat offers only three fixed speeds: 2x (fast), 1x (normal), and 0.5x (slow). You cannot adjust the speed to anything in between or slower than 0.5x. If you need more control over video speed, you would need to use a different video editing app.
Does slow motion work on videos I already recorded, or only new ones?
Only on videos you record within Snapchat using the camera button. If you try to upload a video you recorded on your phone's camera app, Snapchat will not give you the speed options. You must record directly in Snapchat to use the speed controls.
If I send a slow motion video, can the person receiving it change it back to normal speed?
No. Once you send a video with slow motion applied, the recipient sees it in slow motion. They cannot adjust the speed on their end. The speed is baked into the video file you send.
Does the slow motion feature work the same way on stories and direct messages?
Yes. Whether you're sending the video to one person or posting it to your story, the speed controls work the same way and appear in the same location. You set the speed before sending, and it stays that speed for everyone who views it.
What if I record a video, explore slow motion, but then want to send it at normal speed instead?
Before you hit send, tap the circle icon (normal speed) to switch back. As long as you haven't sent the video yet, you can change the speed as many times as you want. Once you send it, the speed cannot be changed.