How to Reverse a Video in Snapchat

Record videos through the app to put a backwards spin on your video snaps

By
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Freelance Contributor
  • University of Ontario
  • George Brown College
Elise Moreau is a writer that has covered social media, texting, messaging, and streaming for Lifewire. Her work has appeared on Techvibes, SlashGear, Lifehack and others.
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Published on July 29, 2024
Snapchat

What to Know

  • First, record a new video snap in the Snapchat app. Be sure to keep it under 10 seconds.
  • Next, swipe left on your video snap preview about 8 times until you see three reverse arrows (<<<) applied over it.
  • You can only apply the reverse video filter to video snaps recorded through the app, not uploaded from your device.

You can apply various effects to both photo and video snaps on Snapchat, including one that plays your video snap in reverse. Follow these instructions to learn how to reverse video snaps before sending them off to friends or posting them to your stories.

How to Reverse a Video Snap

Reversing a video snap is as easy as applying a filter to it. You can do this in both the iOS and Android versions of the Snapchat app using the same steps.

  1. Record a new video snap in the app by tapping and holding the record button. Your video must be less than 10 seconds for the reverse filter to be available.

    Note

    You can apply the reverse filter effect only to videos that you've recorded on Snapchat. You won't be able to reverse video snaps from videos you uploaded to Snapchat from your device.

  2. Swipe left on your video snap preview to browse through the filters until you see three reverse arrows (<<<) appear over your video. It applies to the reverse video filter, which will automatically play your video in reverse as a preview. Any sound in the video will also play in reverse.

    Steps to take to reverse a video on Snapchat with the record button and Reverse Filter icon highlighted

    Tip

    The reverse video filter is about the eighth filter when swiping to the left. You can find the reverse filter by swiping right through filters, but that will take you longer to get to it. Some filters let you speed up your video snap (rabbit filter) or slow it down (snail filter).

  3. Optionally, add more effects (text, stickers, drawings, etc.) to your video snap. Tap Send To to send it to friends and/or post it to your stories.

When to Apply the Reverse Filter on Video Snaps

Reversing your video snaps is a fun way to showcase a series of events backward. This filter is often best applied to action-packed videos.

For example, consider something as simple as dropping a rock onto a frozen pond that breaks through the ice. Instead of watching the ice shatter at the end of the video, you could apply the reverse filter to show the fractured ice coming back together as the video footage plays backward.

FAQ
  • How do I save a Snapchat video?

    To save a Snapchat video, record your video, then tap the Download icon (the down arrow). To save a video in the Stories tab, select the three-dot menu, then tap a video and select the down arrow. To save other users' videos, you need a screen recorder.

  • How do I add music to my Snapchat video?

    To add music to a Snapchat video, tap the Camera icon, then tap the Music Notes to search for songs. Tap Play next to the track you want, tap Next, select a song snippet, then record your Snap video. Tap + Create Sound in Featured Sounds to record your own audio.

  • How long can a snapchat video be?

    Snapchat videos can be up to 60 seconds in length. When you upload videos to Snapchat, they are broken into 10-second clips.

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