You can start a new Chat with a friend, or jump back into an existing Chat.
To start a new Chat…
- Swipe right from the Camera screen to go to the Chat screen
- Tap the chat icon at the bottom
- Search for a friend and tap their name
- Tap ‘Chat’
If you already have a Chat going with a friend, tap their name on the Chat screen to jump back in. You can swipe from the edge of the Chat screen on a friend's message to view the conversation.
You can also Chat with Groups so no one’s left out. And you can make voice and video calls right from a Chat.
How do I set Snapchat as my default messaging app on iPhone?
On iPhone, you can set Snapchat as your default messaging app so messaging an iPhone contact can open Chat in Snapchat.
- In Snapchat, open Settings and tap ‘Default Messaging App’
- Tap ‘Settings’ to open your iPhone Settings
- Choose Snapchat as your default messaging app
Please Note: Snapchat cannot turn this on for you inside the Snapchat app. You finish the change in iPhone Settings.
Can I start a Chat from my iPhone Contacts?
Yes, on iPhone. If Snapchat is your default messaging app (or you choose Snapchat when you message a contact), messaging that person can open their Chat in Snapchat.
- Open the contact in the iPhone Contacts or Messages app
- Tap the messaging option and choose Snapchat if asked
Message sending and visibility depends on a few factors including your friends’ own settings.
- If you and that person are friends on Snapchat, Chat opens so you can send a message.
- If your friend request to them is still pending, Chat can still open so you can send a message — what they see depends on their ‘Contact Me’ setting.
- If they’ve enabled ‘Friends and Contacts,’ they can see your message; if they’ve enabled only ‘Friends,’ they won’t see it until they accept your friend request.
Snapchat needs access to your contacts to match a phone number to a Snapchat account. If Contacts access is off, Snapchat may ask you to turn it on in Settings. Learn how to add friends from your contacts and how to change Snapchat permissions on iOS.
If you are not friends with the contact yet, or they are not on Snapchat, you may see options to add them, send a text, or invite them to Snapchat. Learn more about messaging someone you’re not friends with.
Please Note: This is different from the Snapchat iMessage extension, which adds Bitmoji and stickers inside Messages. Learn how to enable the Snapchat iMessage extension.