Summary

Access to your phone’s camera is pretty critical to creating content on Snapchat. If you happened to deny the camera permission when the app initially asked for it, we’ll show you how to enable that permission for Snapchat on iPhone and Android.

Allow Snapchat to Access the Camera on Android

First, launch the Android system settings on your phone. Keep in mind that the exact steps to give Snapchat camera access may vary slightly by phone model.

In Settings, navigate to Apps > Snapchat > Permissions.

On the “App Permissions” page, select “Camera.”

Turn on the “Allow Only While Using the App” option. This ensures Snapchat can access your camera when you’re using the app.

‘Permissions’ highlighted on Snapchat’s ‘App info’ screen in Android Settings.

First, launch the Settings app. Scroll down and tap “Snapchat.”

Simple as that. You’re done.

What to Do if the Camera Doesn’t Work in Snapchat

If you can’t use the camera in Snapchat despite enabling the camera permission, the app or phone may have a minor problem. Here are a few basic troubleshooting tips you can try.

Restart the App

One way to fix an app’s minor issues is to restart the app, and you can do that for Snapchat.

If you’re on an iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of your screen and pause in the middle. Find and swipe up on Snapchat to close the app. Then, tap the app icon on your home screen to relaunch the app.

‘Camera’ highlighted on Snapchat’s permissions page in Android Settings.

To restart an Android app, press the Recents button to see your open apps. Find and swipe up on Snapchat to close the app. Then, tap the app icon in your app drawer or home screen to re-open the app.

Update the App

If your Snapchat version is outdated, your app may have minor bugs. There may be an update available in the app store to patch these bugs.

Toupdate an app on an iPhone, launch the App Store, tap the profile icon in the top-right corner and tap “Update All.” Toupdate an app on Android, open the Google Play Store, find “Snapchat,” and select “Update.” If you don’t see this button, the app is already updated.

‘Allow Only While Using the App’ highlighted for Snapchat camera access in Android Settings.

Clear the App Cache (Android)

On Android, Snapchat’s faulty cache might be the reason you’re facing the camera issue. In this case,clear your app cacheto fix the problem. You don’t lose your account data when you do this.

On your phone, navigate to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Storage and tap “Clear Cache.”

‘Snapchat’ highlighted in iPhone Settings.

Restart the Phone

Lastly, random phone glitches can sometimes cause an app not to work as expected. In this case, giving your phone a reboot can resolve your phone’s minor issues.

To reboot an iPhone, press and hold Volume Up or Down with the Side Button (or just the Side Button if your iPhone has a Home button). Drag the slider to power off your phone. Then, turn on your phone by pressing and holding down the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

‘Camera’ highlighted on the Snapchat page in iPhone Settings.

To restart an Android phone, press and hold down the Power button and select “Restart” in the open menu. If that doesn’t work,you may need to try an alternative restart method.

Your issue should now be resolved. Thankfully, the problem with Snapchat not having camera access is almost always solved by simply granting the app permission to use your camera.

Snapchat highlighted in iPhone’s open app list.

Snapchat highlighted in Android’s open app list.

‘Update’ highlighted for Snapchat in Android’s Google Play Store.

‘Clear Cache’ highlighted for Snapchat in Android Settings.

‘Slide to Power Off’ slider highlighted on iPhone.