How to See Planets in Snapchat: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Have you ever opened Snapchat and seen your friends posting cute pictures with planets floating around their heads? Maybe you saw a little Saturn spinning near someone’s face, or tiny stars sparkling around their photo. And then you thought, “How do I do that too?” Don’t worry. This happens to a lot of people, and the answer is much simpler than you think.
Snapchat Planets has a fun tool called a lens, and one of these lenses lets you add planets, stars, and space designs to your pictures and videos. You do not need to be a tech expert to use it. You just need to know where to look and what to tap. In this guide, we will walk through everything slowly, step by step, so even someone who has never used a filter before can follow along with ease.
What Are Snapchat Planet Filters?
Snapchat planet filters, sometimes called space lenses or galaxy filters, are fun camera effects. They add pictures of planets, stars, moons, or even whole galaxies around your face or in the background of your photo. Some of them make it look like you are floating in space. Others just add a soft, sparkly space theme behind you.
These filters are part of something Snapchat calls “Lenses.” A lens is basically a special effect you can add to your camera before taking a picture or video. Snapchat has thousands of lenses, and new ones show up all the time. Some are made by Snapchat itself, and others are made by regular users just like you.
Why People Love the Planet Filter
There is something magical about seeing planets appear right on your screen. It feels like a tiny bit of outer space, right there in your bedroom or living room. Many people use this filter for fun photos, birthday posts, dreamy aesthetic pictures, or just to feel a little bit like an astronaut for a few seconds.
It is also a great way to make your photos stand out. Instead of a plain selfie, you get something colorful and eye-catching. Friends often ask, “Wait, how did you do that?” And now, you will be able to show them.
Getting Ready: What You Need First
Before we start, make sure you have a few simple things ready. You will need the Snapchat app installed on your phone, and it should be updated to the newest version. Old versions sometimes do not show all the lenses, so updating first can save you a lot of confusion later.
You will also need an internet connection, since lenses load fresh content from Snapchat’s servers. And that is really it. No extra apps, no payments, nothing complicated.
Step-by-Step: How to Find the Planet Filter on Snapchat
Now let’s get into the fun part. Follow these steps one at a time, and you will have planets on your screen in no time.
Step 1: Open the Snapchat Camera
Open the Snapchat app on your phone. It should open straight to the camera screen, since that is the home screen for Snapchat. If it opens somewhere else, just tap the camera icon at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2: Tap on Your Own Face on the Screen
Once the camera is open, gently tap on your face in the middle of the screen. This tells Snapchat to search for lenses that work with faces, which is exactly what we need for most planet filters.
Step 3: Browse Through the Lens Carousel
After tapping your face, you will see a row of small circles at the bottom of the screen. This is called the lens carousel. Each circle shows a tiny preview of a different filter. Swipe left and right slowly, and look closely at each one.
Step 4: Search for “Planet” or “Space” Lenses
Snapchat also has a search feature that makes things much easier. Tap the small magnifying glass icon near the lens carousel, or tap the search bar at the top of the screen. Type in words like “planet,” “space,” “galaxy,” or “solar system.” A list of matching lenses will appear, and you can pick the one you like best.
This search trick works great because Snapchat updates its lens library often. New space-themed lenses come and go, so searching directly is usually faster than scrolling through everything.
Step 5: Tap the Lens to Try It On
Once you find a planet lens you like, tap it once. Your camera will instantly show the effect on your screen, live, in real time. You can move your head around and watch the planets move with you. This is the moment where the magic really shows up.
Step 6: Take Your Photo or Video
When you are happy with how it looks, press and hold the round button at the bottom of the screen to record a video, or tap it once for a quick photo. And that’s it. You now have your very own planet-filled Snapchat picture.
Tips From Real Experience
After trying many space filters myself, I have picked up a few small tricks that make a big difference. Good lighting matters more than people think. Even magical filters look better when your face is lit softly, rather than sitting in a dark room. A window during the daytime works wonders. Also, holding your phone steady for a second or two before recording helps the lens track your face properly. If the planets look glitchy or jumpy, just move to a spot with better lighting and try again.
Another small tip: not every planet lens works the same way. Some circle around your head, some sit behind you like a background, and some turn your whole face into a little planet. Try a few different ones before deciding which style fits your mood.
Why Some Filters Disappear Suddenly
Sometimes you find a fun planet filter, use it once, and then it is gone the next day. This is completely normal. Many Snapchat lenses are made by community creators, and they are only available for a short time. Snapchat also rotates which lenses show up in search results. So if you find one you love, it is a good idea to save it right away instead of waiting.
To save a lens, simply tap the small arrow or the download icon next to the lens name when you are using it. This keeps it stored in your personal lens collection, so you can find it again later even if it disappears from search.
Building Confidence With Filters Over Time
Learning how filters work is a bit like learning to ride a bike. At first, it feels new and maybe a little confusing, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Soon, you will not even need to search for planet filters anymore. You will simply recognize the icons and know exactly where to tap.
You can read more guides on this topic later, especially if you want to learn about other cool Snapchat effects like galaxy backgrounds, moon filters, or even filters that add entire star maps behind your photos.
Final Thoughts
Adding planets to your Snapchat photos is a small thing, but it brings a big smile. It turns an everyday selfie into something that feels imaginative and fun. The steps are simple: open the camera, tap your face, search for the lens, and snap your photo. With a little practice, you will be adding stars and planets to your pictures just like a pro.