You no longer have to hold on to your screen to view snaps and videos

folarin okunola

July 3, 2015 11:09 AM

You can view your Snaps and browse your friends' stories with just a single tap.

How the new Snapchat update works on iOS

Reports reveal Snapchat has made major changes to its user interface in an update Wednesday: you no longer need to hold down to view a Snap or Story. Instead, the company is introducing a new "tap to view feature."

With the update, which is available now on iOS and Android, you can view your Snaps and browse your friends' stories with just a single tap. The change will be a big one for regular Snapchat users as keeping your thumb on the screen was one of the messaging app's signature UI features — accidentally move your thumb and the message would be gone.

In a blog post Wednesday, the company acknowledged the change will take "a little getting used to for anyone who has been Snapchatting for a while."

The app still allows you to skip to the next photo or video by tapping on the screen or you can swipe down to exit a Story completely.

The update also comes with a new "Add Nearby" feature that allows you to add new friends on the app based on the people around you.

Snapchat says this will make it easier for groups of friends to find each other on the app. You can find "Add Nearby" in the "Add Friends" menu, but you'll only see usernames for those who also have the "Add Nearby" screen open on their app.

folarin okunola