Getting a blurred background in Snapchat depends on which camera controls your device supports. You can use Apple’s Portrait effect when it appears, choose a background-blur Lens, or bring in a portrait from your phone’s camera. Start with the iPhone controls below, or go straight to Lenses if you use Android.
Try the iPhone Portrait controls
Start with Snapchat’s front camera active, then open Control Center. Tap the app-specific camera controls labeled Snapchat. Follow this route only when Portrait appears.
Tap Portrait to turn on background blur. Adjust the Portrait slider to change its strength.
Return to Snapchat to capture your Snap. To turn the effect off, open Control Center again, tap the Snapchat camera controls, and tap Portrait.
Apple supports this effect in compatible third-party video calls, without guaranteeing still-photo capture in Snapchat. If Portrait is absent or does not apply to your capture, use a background-blur Lens.
Use a background-blur Lens on iPhone or Android
Open Snapchat’s Camera screen.
With the Lens carousel active, tap the magnifying-glass icon to open Lens Explorer.
Search for a portrait or background-blur Lens, such as Portrait Mode by Peter.
Tap the Lens tile to unlock it.
Select the Lens from the Lens carousel.
Tap the camera button for a photo, or hold it to record a video.
Tip: Tap the Lens’s heart icon in Lens Explorer to save it to Favorites, but saving it does not guarantee permanent availability.
Bring a portrait from your phone’s camera into Snapchat
Use your phone’s own Portrait mode to create the blur before sharing.
- 1.Open your phone’s Camera app and select Portrait. This works on iPhones, Pixel devices, and Samsung Galaxy devices that support the mode; on Pixel Tablet, use the front camera.
- 2.Frame your subject. On a supported Galaxy, adjust the background blur before taking the photo.
- 3.Press the shutter button to capture the portrait.
- 4.Open Snapchat and swipe up from the Camera screen to open Memories.
- 5.Find the portrait under Home or Camera Roll, then press and hold it to share.
Check compatibility when Portrait is missing
Device and camera-session compatibility determine whether Apple’s system Portrait control appears.
Switch Snapchat to the front camera.
Open Control Center to check the Snapchat camera controls again. Support for Portrait photos in your iPhone’s own Camera app does not establish support for the system effect in Snapchat.
If the control is still missing, search Lens Explorer for a portrait or background-blur Lens. This route works on iPhone and Android, subject to the individual Lens’s compatibility.
On Android, use a Lens or your camera’s Portrait mode for the blur. Samsung Galaxy Video call effects apply only during video calls in the apps listed under Settings > Advanced features > Video call effects > Available apps, so check that list for Snapchat first. Older iPhone instructions refer to a Video Effects tile; Apple’s current interface uses app-specific camera controls.
A missing Lens is a separate issue because Snapchat changes Lens availability. Search Lens Explorer for another portrait or background-blur effect when your previous choice is gone.
Add or adjust blur in a saved photo
Already have the picture you want to share? Edit its blur before sending it through Snapchat.
For an existing iPhone portrait, open the image in Photos.
Tap Edit.
Adjust the Depth Control slider to change the background blur.
Tap Done to save. On supported iPhones, images taken in Photo mode with portrait information also support conversion to portraits; this does not apply to every saved Snapchat image.
For Google Photos, open the picture in Google Photos.
Tap Edit.
Open Tools if your editor layout requires it.
Use tool search to find Portrait Blur. The tool’s availability depends on your device and the image.
Apply the available blur adjustment.
Confirm with the checkmark.
Save the edited photo.
In Snapchat, swipe up from Camera to open Memories.
Find the edited image under Home or Camera Roll.
Press and hold the image to share it. This sends the finished picture without enabling Portrait in Snapchat itself.
If portrait editing is unavailable for your photo, take a new picture with a Snapchat background-blur Lens or your phone’s supported Portrait camera mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a portrait video recorded with my Galaxy camera?
Yes, on Galaxy models that offer the mode. Open Camera. Select MORE > PORTRAIT VIDEO. Choose a background effect and intensity. Record when Ready appears. In Snapchat, swipe up from Camera to Memories. Find the video under Home or Camera Roll, then press and hold it to share.
Can I use Portrait during a Snapchat call on iPad?
Yes, when a supported iPad exposes the control for Snapchat’s active video call. During the call, open Control Center. Tap Snapchat. Tap Portrait and adjust its slider. Tap Portrait again to turn it off. Availability depends on the iPad and the app’s camera session.
How do I get the portrait Lens someone else used?
Swipe up on their Snap to open its Context Card, then select the Lens to try it. Not every Snap has a card. Alternatively, point Snapchat’s camera at the Lens’s Snapcode. Tap the unlock banner when it appears, then select the unlocked Lens.
Can I send a saved portrait directly in Chat?
Yes. Open the Snapchat conversation. Tap the photos icon to select your saved portrait. For a Story instead, select My Story on Snapchat’s Send To screen.