Alex Ruben
How To Share Camera Roll Videos as Snaps on Snapchat
If you’re like most people, sometimes you want to share those epic videos saved on your camera roll directly as snaps, instead of just taking a new one. It’s kinda weird, but Snapchat used to limit you to just capturing new stuff on the fly. But now, with some tricks, you can actually send your saved videos as snaps, which makes sharing those moments way easier. Just be aware that Snapchat has some restrictions—like video length or format—and it can be a bit confusing at first. Here’s how to do it hassle-free, so those videos don’t get stuck on your device or rejected because of format issues.
How to Send Camera Roll Videos as Snaps on Snapchat
Find a way to access your videos from outside Snapchat
Since Snapchat doesn’t have a built-in way to pick videos directly from your camera roll (at least officially), most people use a workaround. The common method involves using a third-party app like Winhance or similar tools that let you bypass Snapchat’s limitations and upload videos as if they were recorded directly. These apps typically create a fake camera input or allow you to select videos outside the normal Snapchat camera flow. You might also try recording your video with a screen recorder, then save it back to your gallery for sharing—though that can reduce quality. On Android, some users have good luck with apps like +Gallery or third-party Snapchat viewers that let you upload videos directly. But beware—sometimes Snapchat detects these tricks and blocks the video for quality or format reasons.
Check your video format and length — gotta keep it tight
Before trying to upload, make sure your video is in MP4 or MOV format—Snapchat tends to be picky about formats. Also, keep videos under 60 seconds if you want them to send smoothly, especially if they’re high resolution. Longer videos might get split or refused altogether. On some machines, this fails the first time, then magically works after a restart. So, if your video refuses to upload, try trimming it down or convert it with a tool like HandBrake or an online converter.
Use a third-party app or workaround for selecting the video
Here’s where it gets a little weird. Because of course, Snapchat has to make it harder than necessary. Users have found that using apps like Winhance (or sometimes the app called “Snapchat++” on jailbroken iPhones) can give you a fake camera feed. Basically, you record or select a video using the app, then it tricks Snapchat into thinking it’s a real-time camera shot. Sometimes, just selecting the video in your gallery and sharing it through the app’s interface works—other times, you might need to upload via a shared folder or save it into a specific directory, like /Media/Instagram or /DCIM/Camera, then access it from within Snapchat using the app’s interface.
Sending the video – the tricky part
When you finally get to the point of sending—whether via the workaround or editing the video into a snap—it’s a matter of tapping the Send button. If you used a helper app, it might automatically send, or you might tap the share icon and choose Snapchat. Expect some quirks: the video might look compressed or pixelated if it’s too long or high-res. Also, keep an eye on the preview window; if it’s corrupt or shows a black screen, your format or method might be incompatible. On some setups, the video uploads fine on the first try, but on others, you have to close and reopen Snapchat or restart your device.
Extra tips & common issues—because no setup is perfect
- Double-check your video’s format and size — especially if Snapchat refuses to load it.
- Ensure your app is updated; sometimes older versions block these features.
- Try switching Wi-Fi or toggling airplane mode if uploads fail unexpectedly.
- If nothing works, screen recording your video as it plays might help, but at the expense of quality.
Wrap-up
Sharing camera roll videos as snaps isn’t officially supported, and Snapchat keeps things intentionally tricky. Using third-party apps, converting formats, and trimming videos are part of the process. Not perfect, but it gets the job done. Just remember, some videos might not make it through if they’re too long or in the wrong format. If it works, it’s usually a matter of trial and error, and quick footwork—because Snapchat loves to block or restrict anything that looks like a workaround. Regardless, it’s doable, and when it does work, it feels kinda good to bypass the limitations.
Summary
- Use tools like Winhance or Snapchat++ to upload videos from your gallery.
- Check and convert your video format to MP4 or MOV.
- Trim long videos to under 60 seconds if possible.
- Restart the app or device if uploads fail on first try.
- Expect some trial and error — not everything will work perfectly from the start.
Fingers crossed this helps
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Sending your saved videos as snaps might be a bit clunky, but it’s doable once you get the hang of the right workarounds. Good luck, and don’t give up too quickly!