Snapshots Support
Snapshots: Instant Film Camera turns your iPhone into an instant camera. Here's how it works, and how to reach us.
Need a hand? Email us and we'll get back to you, usually within two working days.
trysnapshots@gmail.com. It helps to include your iPhone model and iOS version.
Taking snapshots
How do I take a snapshot?
Press the big round shutter. A printer appears and feeds your photo out. Once it's all the way out it develops over a few seconds. Tap Save Snapshot to keep it, or Discard to throw it away.
Can I make it develop faster?
Yes, give your phone a shake while the photo is developing and it finishes immediately.
How do I add a caption?
While the print is on screen, tap "Write a caption" along the bottom of the photo and type. The caption is saved with the print.
How do I change the film style?
Tap the dial beside the shutter. It clicks through Classic, Gold, Coast, Sepia and Mono, and you see each style live in the viewfinder.
How do I zoom?
Tap one of the zoom steps along the bottom of the viewfinder. There is a step for each lens your iPhone has. You can also press on the steps and slide sideways for anything in between.
How do I use the flash, or take a selfie?
Both buttons are in the bottom corners of the viewfinder. The lightning bolt switches the flash between off, auto and on. The arrows switch to the front camera, which also has a wider view for fitting everyone in.
How does the self-timer work?
Tap the timer button to choose 3 or 10 seconds, then press the shutter. The countdown shows in the viewfinder. Press the shutter again to cancel it.
How do I focus, or make the picture brighter or darker?
Tap the viewfinder to focus there. Press and hold to lock focus and exposure, then slide your finger up or down to brighten or darken.
What does the film counter mean? Will I run out?
It counts down the shots left in a pack of ten, like a real instant camera. When a pack is finished a new one loads by itself. There is no limit, and nothing to buy.
Your prints
Where are my prints, and how do I save them to Photos?
Tap the little photo window beside the shutter to open your gallery. Choose Select, pick prints, then use Save to add them to your Photos library or Share to send them. Saved and shared prints keep their white border and caption.
How do I look closely at a print?
Tap a print in the gallery to open it. Pinch or double-tap to zoom in, and swipe sideways to move to the next print.
Can I change a caption later?
Yes. Open the print and tap it to turn it over. The back shows the date it was taken, and you can write or change its caption there. Tap again to turn it back.
How do I delete a print?
In the gallery, press and hold a print and choose Delete, or choose Select, pick prints and tap Delete. Deleted prints can't be recovered.
What happens when I turn my phone on its side?
The camera steps aside and your prints are laid out in a row, like photographs on a table. Swipe through them and tap one to open it. Turn your phone upright again to take a snapshot.
What is the clock that appears when my phone is on its side?
That's the nightstand clock. When your iPhone is charging and turned on its side, Snapshots shows a clock with your prints shuffling past beside it. Tap a print to open it, or tap the gear to change the theme. The screen stays on while the clock is showing. Unplugged, turning your phone on its side shows your prints in a row instead.
Are my prints backed up? What if I delete the app?
Your prints are kept inside Snapshots on your iPhone and are never sent anywhere. Deleting the app deletes them. To keep a print for good, save it to your Photos library.
iPhone Duo
How does it work on iPhone Duo?
Snapshots rearranges itself for each pose. Closed, it works as on any iPhone, on the front display. Open in Landscape, the viewfinder is on one screen and the camera controls on the other. Open in Portrait, the viewfinder is above the controls, and pressing the shutter turns the whole display into the printer.
What is "Unfold to print"?
In the Seated pose (half open), take your photo and the print waits part-way out of the printer. Unfold your Duo flat and the print feeds out across the whole display. If you close your Duo instead, the print finishes on the front display.
Which way up should my Duo sit in the Seated pose?
With the half that has the cameras standing upright and the other half lying flat. The viewfinder stays on the camera half and the controls on the flat half. If the picture looks the wrong way round, turn your Duo round.
Can I put the controls on the other screen?
Yes, in Landscape. Use the LEFT / RIGHT switch at the top of the controls to move them to whichever side suits your hands.
How do I get the clock on iPhone Duo?
Stand your Duo up like a tent, with the hinge at the top, and the front display shows the clock with your prints beside it. It does not need to be charging.
What are Star White and Night Sky?
They are the light and dark themes, named after the finishes iPhone Duo comes in. On other iPhone models they are called Light Theme and Dark Theme.
Settings and troubleshooting
How do I switch between the light and dark look?
Tap the gear button and choose a theme, or Match Phone to follow the setting on your iPhone.
Why is the viewfinder black?
Snapshots needs permission to use the camera. Open the Settings app, scroll to Snapshots and turn on Camera. If another app is using the camera, close it and reopen Snapshots.
Saving to Photos doesn't work.
Open the Settings app, go to Snapshots > Photos and choose "Add Photos Only" or "Full Access".
Does Snapshots collect my data?
No. There is no account and no advertising, and your photos stay on your phone. See the privacy policy.
Does Snapshots work on iPad?
Snapshots is made for iPhone and iPhone Duo.