How to Fix “Photo Mode Only” on Snapchat: An In-Depth Troubleshooting Guide

Have you ever tried to use a fun new filter on Snapchat, only to be stumped by the “photo mode only” error message? As a fellow Snapchat aficionado, I totally get how frustrating this can be.

You find an amazing new viral filter, go to make an awesome video with it, and boom—the dreaded notification pops up saying you can only use the filter for photos. Ugh!

If you’re an avid Snapchatter like me, not being able to use filters in video selfies or clips is a real buzzkill. But don’t worry—in this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, I’ll walk you through exactly why you’re getting the “photo mode only” error on Snapchat, and various ways to fix it.

I’ve also got some terrific alternative filter options you can use in the meantime on TikTok and Instagram. Read on to become a Snapchat filter pro!

Why Does “Photo Mode Only” Happen on Snapchat?

Before we dig into solutions, let’s quickly cover what’s behind those irritating “photo mode only” messages.

When Snapchat tells you that you can only use a certain filter for still photos, not videos, there are a few possible reasons:

The filter is too new or experimental – Brand new Snapchat filters are often still in testing when they first launch. Video compatibility may be limited until the feature is more refined.
It‘s incompatible with your device – Some filters are optimized for newer iPhone and Android models. If you have an older phone, you may experience issues.
App glitches or bugs – Like any software, Snapchat can have quirks that cause filters to malfunction in video mode only.
You need to update Snapchat – If your app is outdated, filters may not work properly in videos until you upgrade to the latest version.
Camera access isn‘t enabled – You have to give Snapchat permission to access your phone‘s camera in order to use AR filters.

Essentially, it boils down to either your device not being supported, a technical hiccup with the app, or the filter itself still being in the experimental phase.

Luckily, in most cases you can fix it yourself—and I’ll show you exactly how.

Troubleshooting Snapchat Filter Issues

If you’re seeing “photo mode only”, try these troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem:

Update Your Snapchat App

An outdated version of Snapchat can definitely cause filters to malfunction or only work partially.

On an iPhone, open the App Store, go to your Updates tab, and install any pending Snapchat updates.
On Android, go to the Play Store, tap your profile icon, choose Manage Apps & Devices > Updates available to see if Snapchat needs upgrading.

I recommend enabling automatic app updates on your device if possible, to always stay up-to-date effortlessly.

Restart Your Phone

It’s simple but surprisingly effective—restarting your device can clear up minor software glitches that cause intermittent issues like “photo mode only.”

Close out all apps, turn your phone off completely for 30-60 seconds, then power it back on. Reopen Snapchat and try the filter again in video mode.

Reinstall Snapchat

If app updates don’t fix it, the nuclear option is uninstalling and reinstalling Snapchat. This gives you a clean slate, deleting any corrupted files that could be messing with filters.

On an iPhone, delete Snapchat, restart your phone, then re-download Snapchat from the App Store. This refreshes the app without any old cached data.
For Android phones, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > See all apps > Snapchat. Tap Uninstall. Then restart your device and install a fresh Snapchat from the Play Store.

Check App Permissions

Make sure Snapchat is allowed access to your phone’s camera and storage. Filters can’t work properly if app permissions are disabled.

On an iPhone, go to Settings > Snapchat and ensure Camera and Photos access are both enabled.
For Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > App Permissions > Camera > Snapchat. Toggle it on if needed.

Update Your Operating System

Having the latest OS version on your iPhone or Android phone is important for full app compatibility.

For iPhones, make sure you’ve upgraded to iOS 16 or higher. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if you need to update.
For Android phones, OS upgrades depend on your manufacturer. Try to update to the latest Android OS your phone supports for best performance.

Verify Your Phone Meets Requirements

Certain Snapchat filters need robust device specs to handle advanced AR capabilities.

Make sure your phone meets Snapchat‘s minimum requirements:

iPhone/iOS Requirements

iPhone 6S or later
iOS 12 or later

Android Requirements

Android 8 or later
At least 2GB RAM
At least 16GB storage

If your device isn‘t up to snuff, you may need a hardware upgrade to use the latest filters smoothly.

Try Again Later

Brand new filters are temperamental at first, with limited compatibility as Snapchat tests them out.

If you encounter "photo mode only" right when a filter launches, try again a few days later once Snapchat has refined performance. Video mode access often expands quickly after the initial testing period.

Contact Snapchat Support

After exhausting all self-troubleshooting steps, get in touch with Snapchat Support if "photo mode only" persists across devices and reinstalls.

In the Snapchat app, go to your profile > Settings > Support > Contact Us and describe the problem. The Snapchat team can look into any lingering bugs and optimize compatibility.

Why Some Snapchat Filters Don‘t Work for Everyone

To understand why certain filters may only work partially for you, it helps to know how Snapchat develops and releases new ones:

Extensive Testing Before Wide Release

According to Snapchat, any new lens goes through rigorous real-world testing before being launched to the full Snapchat community.

A small percentage of users in certain countries get early access to try experimental lenses first. Snapchat closely monitors performance and makes tweaks during this smaller pilot test phase.

Only once the lens meets Snapchat‘s stability and quality standards is it gradually rolled out more broadly.

Prioritizing Newer Model Devices at First

Since AR lenses require significant processing power, Snapchat prioritizes compatibility with newer, more powerful iPhone and Android models when a lens is first launched.

Support for older devices comes later as the lens is optimized. But the newest filters may be limited on outdated hardware that can‘t handle all the AR effects well.

No software is bug-free, and Snapchat‘s developers continuously fix issues and smooth out lens performance long after release.

They monitor trends, user complaints, phone model analytics, and other data to refine lenses over time.

So if a lens malfunctions on your device but not your friend‘s, it may simply need more post-release work to expand cross-device compatibility.

Top Snapchat Filter Troubleshooting Tips

After debugging Snapchat‘s new lenses for years now on all my devices, these are my top troubleshooting tips for any "photo mode only" issues:

Update Snapchat frequently – Don‘t neglect app updates or you‘ll miss out on critical bug fixes and lens optimizations. I have automatic updates enabled so I always have the best lens experience.

Reinstall if needed – A clean reinstall of Snapchat clears out any janky cached files that could be messing with filters. I do this after major app updates just to be safe.

Restart your phone – A quick reboot works wonders for an unresponsive Snapchat app. I restart my phone once a week just for general system maintenance.

Check for OS updates – Having the latest iOS or Android OS guarantees the best Snapchat optimization. I make sure to do OS upgrades the day they‘re released.

Use a newer phone – Some filters inevitably work better on newer high-end models like the latest iPhone or Galaxy. Using dated hardware limits your Snapchat lens capabilities.

Have patience – Brand new lenses often have limited compatibility at first. If I really want to use one, I just wait a few days for it to roll out more widely after testing.

Contact support – If a lens shows ongoing problems on multiple devices, ping Snapchat Support so they can investigate and expand access.

Following this advice has allowed me to troubleshoot 99% of Snapchat lens issues I encounter. Hopefully you find it just as helpful!

Fun Filter Alternatives for Snapchat

If you can’t get a certain Snapchat filter working despite troubleshooting, try these trendy substitutes on TikTok and Instagram in the meantime:

Unhappy Filter on TikTok

TikTok introduced an “Unhappy” filter modeled after Snapchat’s popular crying lens.

To use it:

Open TikTok and tap the + button to access effects
Search for “Unhappy”
Select the filter and record your video

TikTok has one of the best effect libraries around. I’m constantly discovering amazing filters there that aren’t available on Snapchat yet. Definitely check it out if you want leading-edge AR lenses.

Sad Face Filter on Instagram

Instagram also jumped in on the sad filter trend with their “Sad Face” option created by AR designer @biancagarutti.

To find it:

Go to your Instagram profile and tap your profile picture
Access the effects menu and scroll right through the options
Tap “Browse Effects” then search for “Sad Face”
Tap the filter to activate it before recording

Instagram’s effect gallery has hundreds of quality lenses from top AR creators. The crying filters are just the tip of the iceberg.

Can You Add Filters to Snapchat Yourself?

I‘m always brainstorming fun lens ideas that I wish existed on Snapchat. But is it possible to make your own custom filters for Snapchat?

Unfortunately, there‘s no option within Snapchat itself for users to manually add or create lenses.

However, Snapchat does have an official submission process for lens concepts at Snapchat.com/create.

You can submit your AR filter idea through the website. But Snapchat will still need to review and implement your lens before it appears in the app.

A few things to keep in mind if you want to submit a custom Snapchat lens:

Snapchat doesn‘t guarantee approval – Your submission has to meet their content guidelines and quality standards. Rejection is common.
The process takes time – Even accepted lenses go through extensive development and testing before public release.
Geographic limits – Lens submission capabilities aren‘t active globally yet. Check site for country eligibility.

So while it‘s possible to pitch your own Snapchat filters, you have limited control over if/when they appear in the app. For now, your best bet is using alternatives like TikTok or Instagram for certain effects.

The Bottom Line

Troubleshooting pesky “photo mode only” errors on Snapchat can be a headache—but following this comprehensive guide will have you using any filter in video mode in no time.

Start by updating your Snapchat app, checking filter requirements, and enabling camera access. From there, a simple restart or reinstall typically fixes most problems.

Have patience with newly launched filters, or use similar effects on TikTok and Instagram while you wait for Snapchat compatibility to improve. And don’t hesitate to contact Snapchat Support if issues persist across devices.

With the right troubleshooting tips, you can master any new Snapchat lens that catches your eye! Feel free to reach out if you have any other Snapchat questions. Happy Snapping!