8 hidden Snapchat tricks you should know about

The app is known to randomly and casually slip in new features in its lowkey updates. But whichever spectrum of Snapchat user you fall in, here are some cool tricks that will change how you use the app forever.

1. Resurrect old lenses by changing the date on your phone: Though Snapchat switches in new lenses each day, you can always go back to the old ones by simply changing the date on your phone.

For Android go to Settings> Date & Time and uncheck “Automatic date and time.”

For iOS, go to Settings> General > Date & Time and turn off “set automatically.”

You can then choose the date you want to go back to and use the lenses from that particular day. Be careful to not leave your date unchanged for long periods because that may mess with other apps on your phone. So once you’re done, set the Date & time back to automatic to be on the safe side.

2. Use two filters at once: If you can’t choose between a geofilter and one of Snapchat’s photo filters, you don’t have to stick with just one. To use a combination of the two, swipe over your photo like you would normally do and select the first filter.

Then hold down on the screen with one finger and carefully swipe over the photo to add the second filter. This could take some time to get right but you have to use two fingers simultaneously.

3. Two-step verification for account security: You can set up an extra layer of security for you Snapchat account by enabling login verification. Once this I done, you will not be able to log into your account from a new device until you enter a code that will be sent to you via SMS.

To enable login verification, go to the app’s settings and select “login verification” to set it up.

4. Change the name seen by your friends in chat: Tap the hamburger menu located in the upper-left hand corner of your screen to get a quick look at your contacts Snapchat score and Snapcode. You can then edit a particular contacts name, block them or remove the conversation entirely.

5. Extra text: This is a handy way to go around the character limit by using the notes app. Simply select a range of blank text and copy it to your clipboard. Then open Snapchat and paste it into the text field.

You will have to copy a blank text – copying a longer text snippet will not work. You will then need to manually move the cursor to the next line to take proper advantage of the full amount of space.

6. Travel mode: The biggest issue most people with Snapchat is the fact that it eats up data like crazy. Fortunately the app has a built-in feature that conserves your precious data and it is called Travel Mode.

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When this feature is enabled, snaps and stories will not download automatically. Instead, you choose when you want to load a snap or story. To activate, go to the app’s settings, find “Additional Services” menu, select “Manage” to control when travel mode is on.

7. Add friends even if you don’t have their contact info: Snapchat’s “add nearby” feature allows friends t easily add each other on Snapchat, as long as they are within the same vicinity. Go to the “add friends” section, select “add nearby” for a shortcut t add a new connection.

8. Add extra color with emoji’s: You can use Snapchat’s emoji stickers to add some pop to your photos. Choose an emoji with the desired color and increase the size by zooming with two fingers so it takes up the entire screen. Then drag to one side to make it look like a filter.

9. Night camera mode: Snapchat has a low-light camera mode, which is symbolized by the moon icon near the camera flash, and it is meant to help you take better photos at night or in poor light. Switching it in helps brighten what’s in the frame.

The low-light camera is triggered automatically but you can activate it in any kind of light. Simply cover the camera for a few seconds so enough light is blocked to activate the setting.