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Version: 5.x
Supported on
Snapchat
Spectacles
This feature may have limited compatibility and may not perform optimally.

Getting Started Guide

This guide walks you through downloading Easy Lens, signing in, granting permissions, and creating your first Lens.

Step 1: Download or open Easy Lens​

Choose the option that fits your device:

Easy Lens is also available inside Lens Studio. In the GenAI Suite panel, click the + icon to open Lens Studio AI, then make sure the mode is set to Easy Lens (formerly Creator Mode).

Step 2: Sign in​

Sign in with your Snapchat account—the same username and password you use in the Snapchat app. Signing in lets you save your work, publish Lenses, and access your Lenses across devices.

If you do not have a Snapchat account yet, you can create a free account on the Snapchat website or in the Snapchat mobile app.

Account requirements​

  • A Snapchat account in good standing.
  • You must be 13 or older to use Snapchat and Easy Lens.
  • To publish a Lens, your account must be able to log in to Snapchat and accept the Lens Studio Terms.
  • To earn rewards, additional eligibility applies—see the Monetization and Rewards FAQ.

Step 3: Grant permissions​

To preview your Lens on yourself, allow Easy Lens to access the parts of your device it needs:

PermissionWhy it is needed
CameraPreview face and world effects live on yourself.
Microphone (optional)Test Lenses that respond to sound or voice.
Photos / Files (optional)Upload your own image to use in a Lens.

You can change these later in your device settings. If the camera looks black or a preview never appears, a denied permission is the most common cause—see Camera or preview not working below.

Step 4: Create your first Lens​

  1. Open Easy Lens. You will see a chat interface with a few example prompts to get you started.
  2. Type a description of what you want, or tap an example prompt such as "Show the text 'Happy days' on my head when I smile."
  3. Wait a few moments while Easy Lens processes your request. It may ask follow-up questions to clarify your idea—you can pick a suggested answer or type your own.
  4. When you are ready, ask Easy Lens to build it, or tap "Just make a Lens!" to kick off generation.
  5. Preview the result on yourself. From here you can keep refining, save, share, or publish.

Keep your first prompt simple, then add detail one step at a time. Building up a Lens in small steps usually gives better results than one long, complicated request. See the AI Prompting Guide for examples.

Troubleshooting setup​

Most first-run problems are quick to fix. Start with these, then see the specific issue below.

  1. Make sure Easy Lens (or the Snapchat app) is updated to the latest version.
  2. Check your internet connection—Easy Lens needs a stable connection to generate Lenses.
  3. Restart the app or reload the web page.
  4. Confirm you are signed in with the correct Snapchat account.

App crashes or won't open​

  • Update to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play.
  • Restart your device and reopen the app.
  • Free up storage and memory by closing other apps.
  • On the web, try a different supported browser, or clear your browser cache.
  • Confirm your device meets the device compatibility requirements below.

Login problems​

  • Verify your Snapchat username and password by signing in to the Snapchat app.
  • If you forgot your password, reset it from the Snapchat login page.
  • Make sure your account is in good standing and not locked.
  • Check your connection, then try again. If you use two-factor authentication, complete the verification step.

Camera or preview not working​

  • Grant camera permission in your device or browser settings—a denied permission is the most common cause of a black preview.
  • Close other apps that may be using the camera.
  • Restart the app after changing permissions.

Device compatibility​

  • Use a supported, up-to-date OS version on iOS or Android.
  • Some advanced effects may not perform well on older devices; try a simpler Lens to confirm.
  • On the web, use a current version of a supported browser.

Trouble generating a Lens, rather than setting it up? See Troubleshooting failed or unexpected generation. Trouble publishing? See the Publishing Guide.

Contact support​

If the steps in this guide (and on the relevant feature page) don't resolve your issue, contact Snapchat Support. To get help faster, include:

  • Your Snapchat username
  • Platform (iOS, Android, or web), device model, and OS version
  • App version
  • The Lens ID and Lens link (if published)—see the Publishing Guide
  • The prompt you used
  • Screenshots or a screen recording
  • Expected vs. actual behavior

What's next​

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