Snapchat is known for its vast library of fun and engaging lenses that allow users to add various filters and effects to their snaps.
Sharing these lenses with friends can enhance your social experience, but sometimes you may want to do so in a more private manner.
This guide will show you how to share Snapchat lenses with friends privately while ensuring that your interactions remain between you and the person you want to share with.
What Are Snapchat Lenses?
Before diving into the steps of how to share Snapchat lenses with friends, let’s briefly touch on what lenses are.
Lenses are augmented reality (AR) filters that overlay effects onto your photos or videos in real-time.
Whether you’re using a dog face filter, a funny voice modulator, or interactive game lenses, these filters have made Snapchat a highly popular platform for playful, creative expression.
Snapchat’s large lens library grows daily with user-generated lenses, and sometimes you come across a lens that’s too good not to share. Sharing a lens can:
Encourage interaction with your friends by using the same lens for funny or themed snaps.
Discover new filters that your friends might not have found yet.
Create shared experiences, such as matching lenses for group events or conversations.
However, there are times when you don’t want to share a lens publicly, but rather just with a specific friend.
Snapchat makes it easy to share Snapchat lenses with friends privately.
Here’s how you can share Snapchat lenses with friends privately without posting it to your public story or sending it to a group chat.
1. Open Snapchat and Select the Lens
Open the Snapchat app and swipe to the camera screen.
Tap the smiley face icon next to the capture button to open the Lens carousel.
Browse or search for the lens you want to share.
You can also find lenses by tapping the Explore icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap on the Lens Information Icon
Once you’ve selected a lens, look for the (i) icon or the name of the lens at the top of the screen.
This will bring up additional information about the lens, including who created it, when it was created, and an option to share the lens.
Tap on the Share icon (usually a square with an upward arrow). This will bring up different options for sharing the lens.
Select Send To to open the list of your Snapchat friends.
From the Send To list, choose the specific friend(s) you want to send the lens to privately.
You can select multiple friends, but avoid selecting public groups or your story if you want to keep the share private.
5. Send the Lens
After selecting your friends, hit Send.
This will privately share the lens with the chosen recipients, and only they will be able to see the lens.
In addition to the method above, here are some other ways to share Snapchat lenses with friends privately:
1. Sharing Lenses via Direct Message
You can also share lenses directly in a chat conversation:
Open a chat with the friend you want to send the lens to.
Tap the smiley face icon next to the chat text field.
Choose a lens from the carousel and either apply it to a snap or tap and hold on the lens to send it as a link directly within the chat.
This ensures that the lens is shared only within the conversation and not with anyone else.
2. Using Snapchat Links
Some lenses have shareable links that can be copied and shared across different platforms, including Snapchat’s direct message. To do this:
After selecting the lens, tap on the i button.
Copy the shareable link and paste it in a chat with your friend.
This link will allow the recipient to click and access the lens directly.
Best Practices for Sharing Snapchat Lenses Privately
Avoid Group Chats: If privacy is a concern, avoid sharing lenses in group chats where multiple people will have access.
Don’t Post to Your Story: Posting a lens on your story will make it accessible to all your followers. If you want to share Snapchat lenses with friends privately, send it via direct messages instead.
Use Snapchat’s Privacy Settings: Make sure your privacy settings are up-to-date to prevent unwanted sharing or notifications of your activity to others.
Benefits of Sharing Snapchat Lenses Privately
Maintain Privacy: Sharing lenses privately ensures that only the people you want to see and use the lens will have access to it.
Targeted Sharing: Instead of broadcasting a lens to all your followers, you can send it to a few select people who you know will enjoy or benefit from it.
No Public Exposure: This method prevents lenses from being widely shared on your story or in large group chats, where people outside of your intended audience may see them.
Can I share a Snapchat lens with multiple friends at once?
Yes, you can select multiple friends when sharing a lens privately, but be careful not to include public groups or your story if you want to maintain privacy.
Can I stop someone from sharing the lens I sent them?
Once you share a lens privately, you cannot control if the recipient decides to share it with others.
However, Snapchat does not notify you if they forward the lens.
Will my friends know I shared the lens privately?
Yes, when you send the lens in a direct message, your friends will see that you sent them the lens, but it will not be broadcast to your public story or group chats.
Can I share a lens without applying it to my own snap?
Yes, you can share a lens link or send the lens directly without using it on your own snap.
Simply follow the instructions in the “Send To” or lens information section.
Is there a limit to how many lenses I can share privately?
No, Snapchat does not have a limit on how many lenses you can share privately with friends.
You can share as many as you like.
Conclusion
Sharing Snapchat lenses with friends privately is a great way to spread the fun without broadcasting your activity to the entire world.
By following the steps outlined above, you can easily share Snapchat lenses with friends in a discreet, private manner.
Whether you’re sending a lens through direct messages or using Snapchat links, this method allows you to keep your interactions more personal and controlled.
PrimeGate Digital is a Result Driven Blog that strives to go beyond ‘Conventional Digital Marketing’ through digital innovation and performance marketing. We have experience working with world class brands and products.
