How to Do a Boomerang on Snapchat (iPhone & Android)
If you love making fun videos on Snapchat, you have probably wondered how to get that cool boomerang effect where a clip plays forward and backward on loop. Good news: Snapchat has a built-in feature called Bounce that does exactly that.
This guide covers everything you need to know about how to do a boomerang on Snapchat, whether you are on iPhone or Android.
What Is the Boomerang Feature on Snapchat?
A boomerang on Snapchat is a short looping clip that plays forward and backward repeatedly. Unlike regular Snapchat videos that play straight through, a boomerang captures a mini scene and turns it into a captivating clip.
Snapchat calls this the Bounce feature. It lets users select one portion of a video to replay. Combined with the loop option, a specific portion plays again and again, almost like a boomerang inside another video.
How to Do a Boomerang on Snapchat on iPhone (iOS)
The Bounce feature works natively on iPhone. Follow these steps:
- Open Snapchat and make sure your app is updated to the latest version.
- Press and hold the round camera button to record a short video clip.
- After recording, look at the icons on the right side of your screen.
- Tap the interlocking arrow icon in the lower-right corner menu.
- Click the Bounce option twice and move the slider to change the duration of the bounce.
- When you are happy with it, tap Save or hit Send To share it with friends or add it to your Story.
That is it. Your snap will now play back and forth in a loop just like a classic boomerang video.
How to Do a Boomerang on Snapchat on Android
As of now, Bounce remains an iOS-exclusive feature. Android users can still loop videos on Snapchat, but the Bounce feature, which loops a specific portion of a video back and forth, has not come to Android yet.
Here are two solid workarounds for Android users:
Option 1: Use the Loop Feature on Snapchat
Press and hold the camera button to record a video. On the right sidebar, tap the loop icon. Click it once for a single loop or click it again to make the video loop infinitely. After that, you can publish this boomerang-like video.
Option 2: Use Instagram Boomerang and Share to Snapchat
Open the Instagram app on your Android and open the Camera feature. From the left part of the screen, tap the Boomerang button to activate the effect. Record your clip, save it to your gallery, and then upload it directly to Snapchat. This is the simplest workaround for Android users who want the real forward-and-backward effect.
How to Turn a Live Photo Into a Boomerang on Snapchat (iPhone)
Did you know you can convert an existing iPhone Live Photo into a boomerang and share it on Snapchat?
Open the Photos app and navigate to the Album menu. Under the Media Types section, open the Live Photos menu. Scroll down and choose Bounce from the Effects section. Once done, upload the boomerang clip to your Snapchat account.
This is a great trick if you already took a Live Photo and want to give it that fun looping effect.
Boomerang on Snapchat: iOS vs Android Comparison
| Feature | iPhone (iOS) | Android |
| Bounce (native boomerang) | Yes, fully supported | Not available |
| Loop video | Yes | Yes |
| Infinite loop | Yes | Yes |
| Instagram workaround | Optional | Recommended |
| Save to Camera Roll | Yes | Yes |
Tips for Making Better Boomerang Videos on Snapchat
Getting the most out of the Bounce feature is all about what happens in front of the camera. Here are a few tips:
- Keep movements short and sharp, like a jump, wave, or toss, because the effect works best on quick motions.
- Good lighting makes a big difference. Natural light gives the cleanest results.
- Record for about 2 to 3 seconds so Snapchat has enough footage to trim and bounce.
- After applying the Bounce effect, add stickers, captions, or filters to make your snap more eye-catching before sharing.
- After creating your bounce video, you can add extra options like text or stickers before sending it as normal.
How to Share Your Boomerang on Snapchat
Once your boomerang is ready, you have a few sharing options:
- Send it directly to a friend as a private snap.
- Add it to your Snapchat Story so all your followers can see it for 24 hours.
- Save it to your Memories or Camera Roll to repost later.
- Submit it to Snapchat Spotlight if you want a wider audience to discover it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Snapchat have a boomerang feature?
Yes. Snapchat has a feature called Bounce that creates a forward-and-backward looping video, similar to Instagram Boomerang. It is available on iOS devices.
Why can’t I find the Bounce option on Snapchat?
Make sure your Snapchat app is updated to the latest version. The Bounce option appears after you record a video and tap the loop or arrow icon on the right side of the screen.
Is Snapchat Boomerang available on Android?
No. The Bounce feature is currently iOS only. Android users can use the regular loop option or create a boomerang on Instagram and share it to Snapchat.
Can I apply the Bounce effect to an existing video?
Snapchat is not capable of applying the boomerang effect to an existing clip. You must create a new video clip to enable the effect.
How long can a Snapchat Boomerang be?
If the snap is longer than the maximum Bounce length, only a portion of the snap is taken and used for the Bounce. The clip is typically trimmed to about one second for the effect.
Final Thoughts
Making a boomerang on Snapchat is simple once you know where to look. iPhone users have the native Bounce feature built right into the app, while Android users can achieve the same result through the loop option or by using Instagram.
Either way, boomerang-style videos are a great way to make your Snapchat Stories more fun and engaging. Try it out the next time you capture a cool moment and see how much more lively your snaps become.
