Have you ever wondered if a picture truly exists if no one is there to see it? For those who can’t wait to share their photos and videos, there’s good news: you can now swap out your iPhone’s Camera shortcut for a Snapchat shortcut.
Customize Your Lock Screen with a Snapchat Shortcut
Fans of Apple often highlight how iOS shortcuts can enhance your phone experience, and Snapchat is tapping into this convenience with its latest update. As revealed in Snapchat’s Newsroom today, users can now replace the Camera shortcut on their iPhone’s Lock Screen with a direct link to Snapchat, provided they are using iOS 18 or newer.
Snapchat is not the first app to provide this functionality; others like ChatGPT, Google Maps, and Instagram have also introduced Lock Screen shortcuts. You can choose how to configure your two Lock Screen shortcuts, which default to the built-in Flashlight and Camera apps, based on what you access the most or want quickly.
Along with this feature, Snapchat has also introduced new Bitmoji Stickers, Halloween-themed lenses, and a feature called Footsteps, which tracks your travels on a map.
How to Set Up a Snapchat Shortcut
Creating a new Lock Screen shortcut is a straightforward process:
- From the Lock Screen, press and hold on any area until a menu pops up.
- Select Customize > Lock Screen.
- At the bottom of the Lock Screen, you’ll find your existing two shortcuts. Tap the – button to remove one, then hit the + button to add a new shortcut.
- From the list of Controls, scroll to the Capture category and pick Snapchat.
Now, whichever shortcut you’ve replaced will feature Snapchat’s iconic ghost logo.
If you’re unable to locate the customization options mentioned, verify that your device is running iOS 18 or a later version.
Snap Security
One advantage of the iPhone’s Camera shortcut is that anyone without your passcode can quickly snap a photo. Consequently, you might wonder if a shortcut to Snapchat would allow someone access to your entire contact list on the app.
Snapchat has addressed those concerns. With the new update, you can only use the Snapchat camera from the Lock Screen, and you must unlock your phone with your passcode to share any content.
I have to say, witnessing how Gen-Z captures and shares moments on the fly is truly impressive. Sometimes, snapping a photo is simply about being in the right place at the right time, and having quick access to a photo-sharing app can significantly enhance those chances.