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Connecting Lens Studio to Spectacles

You can connect your Spectacles device to Lens Studio in two ways. The recommended method is to use Direct Connection, which offers a two-way connection that enables features like the Spectacles Monitor and logs from the device. The alternative method is pairing your Snapchat account through the same method that works for mobile Snapchat; this method however will soon be deprecated and only offers one-way deployment of Lenses to device, meaning no access to logs or profiling.

Direct Connection​

Spectacles can connect directly to Lens Studio using the "Connect Spectacles" button located at the top right corner of Lens Studio, next to the Preview Button. Direct connection works both wired and wirelessly. An internet connection is always required for wireless connectivity, but it is only required once per 30 days for wired connectivity. During the 30 day period that follows Spectacles will automatically connect to Studio when plugged in, without the need to press the "Connect Spectacles" button.

When your device is connected to Lens Studio, you can perform the following actions:

To deploy Lenses to several devices, ensure you are logged into the same account on each device, then plug each in one at a time via wire to install the desired Lens.

Direct Connection Setup​

To directly connect to Spectacles, whether wirelessly or wired, first:

  1. Log into Lens Studio through the My Lenses portal using the same account paired with your Spectacles.
  2. Ensure your Spectacles device is awake and its displays are turned on, showing the System UI.

If multiple devices are paired with your Spectacles app, Lens Studio will connect only with one of the devices, and will ignore the remaining. To connect with a specific device, keep only that device awake.

Note that if Spectacles can connect to a device via both wired and wireless methods, the wired connection is automatically chosen.

Wired Direct Connection Setup​

Connect Spectacles to Lens Studio via wired connection by enabling wired connectivity and using a USB cable to plug the device into your computer.

Enabling this option may slightly increase device charging time and device temperature while it is plugged into your computer.

The device will remain connected as long as it is powered and plugged in.

To enable wired connectivity open the Spectacles mobile app. Navigate to Developer Settings -> Lens Development and toggle on Enable Wired Connectivity. This needs to be done only once: this setting will persist through restarts and updates.

When Lens Studio detects Spectacles with wired connectivity enabled, the Logger panel will display "Spectacles connected to USB". The first wired connection will require internet connectivity and pushing the "Connect Spectacles" button. For 30 days afterward Spectacles will connect to this Lens Studio automatically regardless of internet access.

Windows users have first to install adb in their development environment. If Lens Studio does not detect adb, specify the path in the Preferences Page under Send to Device.

Depending on Windows configuration you might need to allow local network connection via Windows system dialog, which automatically appears on Lens Studio launching. If you accidentally disallowed local network connection, or Spectacles cannot be detected, consider restarting your computer.

The USB-C to USB-C cable included in the Spectacles package is recommended for wired connection for the best experience, but most modern USB data cables are suitable.

Connecting with Wireless Connection​

To be able to use wireless connection, verify that your computer and Spectacles are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Wireless connectivity does not function if the network restricts device-to-device connections (often referred to as "peer isolation," "client isolation," "AP isolation," or "SSID isolation").

Most mobile devices running Android and iOS support the "Mobile Hotspot" / "Personal Hotspot" feature. This feature creates a WiFi network that can be used for a wireless connection between Lens Studio and the Spectacles.

If you enable Wired Connectivity for Spectacles and connect the device using a USB cable, it will use the wired connection instead. Note that the device will lose the wireless connection if it is set to sleep.

Draft Folder​

Lenses sent to Spectacles via Local Connection will stay in the Draft folder. When a Lens with the same Project Name as an existing Lens in the Draft folder is sent, it overwrites the existing Lens. Otherwise, a new Lens is added. These Lenses stay until the device is wiped or a Lens is deleted using the Delete button on the Lens Tile.

Pairing Snapchat Account to Lens Studio​

The Snapcode pairing method is a legacy feature that will be removed in future updates. We recommend using the direct connection method described above.

Show Snapcode on Lens Studio​

To pair a new Spectacles device with Lens Studio, click the dropdown menu on the "Pair your Device" button at the top right corner of Lens Studio. Then select "Pair New Snapchat Account."

Open Snapcode Scan on Spectacles App​

On your Spectacles app, navigate as follows:

  1. Go to Device Settings (Spectacles Icon).
  2. Access Developer Settings under the Developer section.
  3. Select "Pair Spectacles with Lens Studio" in the Pairing section.

Pair your Snapchat account​

With the camera feed open on your Spectacles app, point it at the Snapcode from Lens Studio until the pop-up appears with a pairing confirmation request. After successfully pairing your device, you should see the option to "Send to All Paired Spectacles." If this option is not available, verify that you are building the Lens for Spectacles.

Devices paired with Lens Studio cannot use features such as receiving logs or profiling tools. For these capabilities, refer to the section on connecting Spectacles directly to Lens Studio.

Additional Settings​

Filtering Spectacles Logs​

Filter logs from Spectacles to reduce clutter. You can create a separate Logger Panel specifically for Spectacles logs if desired.

Send On Project Save​

For rapid prototyping, enable the "Send On Project Save" setting in Preferences.

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