How to Get the Crying Filter on Snapchat

Shedding digital tears is the hot new trend taking over social media. If you‘ve been on TikTok or Snapchat recently, you‘ve likely seen videos using the viral "crying filter" effect. This augmented reality filter makes it look like tears are streaming down your face for dramatic and comedic effect.

But did you know the crying filter is available on both Snapchat and TikTok? While the platforms offer their own versions, accessing and using the crying effect on each app requires slightly different steps.

As your resident social media guru, I‘m going to walk you through exactly how to find and use the crying filter on Snapchat and TikTok in this ultimate guide. With these tips, you‘ll be able to create your own crying filter content to join in on the teary-eyed phenomenon.

Snapchat‘s crying filter adds animated tears that run down your cheeks as you record video selfies or Snaps of other people. Here‘s a step-by-step guide to using the signature Snapchat crying filter that took over TikTok:

Access the Snapchat Camera

To start, open up the Snapchat app on your iPhone or Android device. On the main Snapchat screen, tap the circular camera icon at the bottom of the screen to enter the camera.

Make sure Snapchat has access to your phone‘s camera and permissions are enabled. You can check this in your phone‘s app settings if the camera doesn‘t open.

In camera view, tap the emoji icon in the bottom left corner of the screen. This will bring up the menu where you can browse and select Snapchat filters.

When you first open Snapchat‘s filter menu, you‘ll see default selections like the dog ears and rainbow puking filters. To access more effects, tap "Explore" at the bottom of the menu.

Search for the "Crying" Filter

This will bring you to a screen called "For You" that shows filter suggestions based on your recent Snaps. At the top of the screen is a magnifying glass search icon—tap it to search for specific filters.

Type the word "crying" into the search bar and hit enter. You should see filter options like "Crying Time" and "Crying Face."

Select the Official Crying Filter

Multiple crying filters will appear in the search results, but make sure to select the one actually created by Snapchat. This is usually the first option and has the most realistic animation.

Tapping the filter will add animated tears streaming down your face—this is the exact crying effect that went viral on TikTok for its dramatic results.

Record Your Snaps with the Filter

With the crying filter activated, you can now record Snaps using the effect! The animation works for regular selfie videos as well as recording other people and things.

Get creative with your tearful Snaps, and don‘t forget to have fun with exaggerated fake crying facial expressions and noises. The crying filter is meant to be equal parts humorous and emotional.

Once you capture a crying filter Snap you want to keep, tap the download arrow icon to save it directly to your camera roll. You can then upload your weeping masterpieces to TikTok or share across social platforms.

Make sure to favorite the crying filter so it‘s easy to find the next time you want to use it. With the power of Snapchat‘s signature crying effect in your hands, the possibilities for dramatic social media content are endless!

TikTok also offers its own crying filter among its array of augmented reality effects. Here‘s how to access the "Crying Eyes" filter on TikTok to add tears to your videos:

Open TikTok and Tap the "+" Icon

Launch the TikTok app on your mobile device. Once you‘re on the main TikTok feed, tap the "+" icon at the bottom of the screen to open the camera.

By default, you‘ll see a few options like "Beauty" and "Timer" along the bottom of the new camera screen. Tap "Effects" to browse TikTok‘s entire library of AR effects.

Tap the Magnifying Glass to Search Effects

In the Effects menu, you‘ll see default filters like "Cartoon" and "Anime Style" as categories. To search for specific effects, tap the magnifying glass search icon at the top of the screen.

Search for "Crying"

In the search bar, type the keyword "crying." You‘ll see filters like "Crying Eyes" and "Fake Crying" appear as options.

Choose the "Crying Eyes" Filter

Out of the crying filter options, select "Crying Eyes" by tapping on the preview image. This effect adds the most realistic tear animation similar to Snapchat‘s version.

Record Your TikTok Video

With the "Crying Eyes" filter enabled, you can now record your TikTok as usual. The crying animation will be applied to your face or anything else you capture in the frame.

Get close up for full effect, and ham it up by fake crying dramatically. Add captions for extra humor and pair it with sad music for bonus points.

Post Your Weeping TikTok

Once you‘re satisfied with your tear-jerking video clip, post it directly to TikTok! The Crying Eyes filter will now be saved conveniently to your Favorites for quick access every time you need waterworks on demand.

Now that you know how to easily access the crying filter on Snapchat and TikTok, let‘s take a look at how this teary phenomenon came to dominate social feeds across platforms:

Release on Snapchat in 2018

While the crying filter exploded in popularity in 2022, its origins trace back to Snapchat which first released the effect in 2018. It quickly became a staple for creating dramatic Snaps.

TikTok Users Discover the Filter in 2022

In January 2022, TikTok users discovered they could access Snapchat‘s signature crying filter for their own videos through cross-platform posting.

The Filter Goes Viral on "Sad Girl Autumn" TikToks

In September 2022, TikTok‘s "sad girl autumn" trend saw creators embracing the crying filter set to melancholy music to express seasonal depression in an ironic, humorous way.

Millions of Videos Created Using the Filter

The crying filter rapidly blew up on "sad girl autumn" TikToks, accruing millions of views. Top videos featuring the effect gained 30-60 million views each during the trend‘s peak.

Emergence of Crying Filter Challenges

By late October 2022, the crying filter spawned a series of viral TikTok challenges like the "Fake Crying Challenge" where users had to dramatically pretend to sob into different household objects.

TikTok Releases Its Own "Crying Eyes" Filter

Due to demand from its users, TikTok developer ByteDance introduced its own native crying filter called "Crying Eyes" in November 2022 modeled after Snapchat‘s tearful effect.

Clearly the crying filter struck an emotional chord with Gen Z users. Videos using the effect perfectly encapsulate younger generations‘ proclivity for blending humor and vulnerability when expressing themselves on social media.

Now that you have the inside scoop on the crying filter sensation, it‘s time to try it out for yourself!

Want to take your crying filter content to the next level? Use these tips and tricks:

Get Close Up

For full impact, get super close to the camera. The crying animation shows up best in tight selfie view so it takes up most of the screen.

Ham It Up

Exaggerate your fake crying as much as possible for comedic effect. Open your mouth wide, squeeze your eyes shut, and let out dramatic pretend sobs.

Incorporate Sounds

Search "sad" or "crying" under sounds on TikTok or add melancholy music on Snapchat. Audio enhances the weeping mood.

Use Creative Angles

Switch between the front and back camera mid-video for added variety. The crying effect looks cool from different angles.

Try Video Edits

On TikTok, use editing features like slow motion or time lapse to draw out the crying impact.

Add Captions

Write out silly, tongue-in-cheek captions about your fake sadness to poke fun at yourself.

Follow Trends

Stay on top of crying filter viral challenges and trends to give your content a timely boost. Leaning into trending topics helps videos get more traction.

Enlist Friends

For multiplayer weeping action, recruit your friends to get in on the tearful videos. Crying battles and duets double the laughs.

Post your top crying filter creations across all your social media profiles. Cross-platform posting spreads your content further.

Favoriting Filters

Make sure to favorite the crying filter on both apps so it‘s easily accessible in your effect menus for future videos.

With the right combo of humor, exaggeration, and clever editing, your crying filter content will stand out from the crowded social media landscape.

However, you may encounter some hurdles when trying to access the filters. Here are tips for troubleshooting issues unlocking the crying effect:

Update Your Apps

Outdated app versions may not have the new crying filter available. Make sure Snapchat and TikTok are updated to the latest releases.

Reinstall the Apps

If updates don‘t work, uninstalling and reinstalling the apps often resolves glitches. This essentially refreshes the app cache.

Check Your Internet Connection

Poor internet connection can disrupt filters from loading properly. Switch between WiFi and cellular data to see if that fixes issues.

Restart Your Device

As a last resort, completely powering off and restarting your mobile device resets apps and clears out bugs.

Contact Support

If you still can‘t access the crying filter after trying these troubleshooting tips, reach out to Snapchat and TikTok support teams through the apps for additional help.

With a few quick troubleshooting steps, you should be crying your eyes out on social media in no time! Don‘t let technical difficulties rain on your tearful parade.

When used strategically, the crying filter provides the perfect vehicle for expressing emotion and telling stories through social content. Here are some creative ways to take advantage of the tearful effect:

Poke Fun at Minor Inconveniences

Apply the filter while "crying" about hilarious first-world problems like your phone charger not reaching the outlet from your bed.

Exaggerate Reactions

Hammily bawl over insignificant things like running out of your favorite cereal or snacks.

Parody Overemotional Ads

Satirize sentimental commercials by remaking them crying with bountiful digital tears.

Ironic Breakup Videos

For the newly single, record melodramatic sobbing videos announcing your exaggerated heartbreak.

Respond to Comments

Reply to followers poking fun at you by posting reaction videos of you fake crying about their light teasing.

Pet Tragedy Announcements

Channel your inner pet parent and record tearful videos about silly "tragedies" like your dog eating your leftovers.

Current Event Reactions

Apply the filter while "crying" as commentary on trending news events or pop culture drama.

Musical Performances

Belt out a sad song in an over-the-top weeping state.

Prank Your Friends

Covertly take fake crying selfie videos of your friends then send them the results and watch their reactions.

The crying filter opens up tons of possibilities for humorous, vulnerable, and entertaining social media content. As you can see, the permutations are endless!

While the crying filter is lots of fun, make sure to use it in a safe and responsible manner. Here are a few guidelines:

Get consent before recording others. Never secretly film people without their permission.
Avoid dangerous situations. Don‘t use the filter while driving or doing risky activities.
Credit Snapchat and TikTok. If posting tearful content elsewhere, make sure to credit the filter‘s origins.
Don‘t use the filter to mock others. Only apply it to yourself or willing participants.
Be mindful of your audience. Consider who will be viewing your content.
Prioritize your well-being. If the app makes you feel bad about yourself, take a break.
Report offensive uses. If you see the filter being misused, tap report to notify the app moderators.

While the crying filter can lead to funny and relatable content, always use it with respect. Spread the digital tears responsibly!

As you can see, unlocking the power of the crying filter on Snapchat and TikTok takes just a few easy steps. With this inside guide to accessing the tearful AR effect on both apps, you‘ll be able to integrate the trending filter into your own content in no time.

So go ahead—have a good digital cry and flaunt those artificial waterworks across social media. Shed tears over life‘s little letdowns. Slow motion sob over major pet peeves. Duet a tearjerker love ballad with your BFF. The possibilities are endless with the magic of the crying filter!

Just don‘t take your cyber weeping too seriously. At the end of the day, these are simply fake digital tears meant to bring some laughs. So channel your inner sad comedian, and let the crying filter spotlight your silly side. Before you know it, your dramatic weeping videos will be all over the For You Pages!