Open Settings, find Snapchat, toggle Camera permission on iPhone or Android.

If you came here to figure out how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020, you are in the right place. I troubleshoot apps for a living, and I’ve helped thousands of users fix camera access in minutes. This guide explains every step for iPhone and Android, plus smart fixes if the toggle is missing or grayed out.

Why Snapchat needs camera permission and what it actually does

Snapchat needs your system camera to take Snaps and use Lenses in real time. When you deny access, the app cannot open the camera view. It will show a black screen or a prompt asking for permission again.

On both iOS and Android, camera access is a privacy gate. You must approve it once, or again after an update or a reset. If you are searching for how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020, understanding this gate is step one.

iPhone steps (iOS 13–14, 2020)

Use any one of these ways to enable the camera.

Method A: from iOS Settings

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll to Snapchat and tap it.
3. Turn on Camera. Also turn on Microphone for sound with videos.

Method B: from iOS Privacy

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Privacy, then Camera.
3. Turn on the switch next to Snapchat.

Method C: from inside Snapchat

1. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon.
2. Tap the gear icon for Settings, then tap Permissions.
3. Tap Camera, then tap Open Settings and enable Camera.

If the Camera switch is missing or disabled, check Screen Time. Go to Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions. Tap Allowed Apps and make sure Camera is allowed. This is the fastest path for how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020 on an iPhone.

Android steps (Android 10–11, 2020)

Android uses app permissions you can change any time.

Method A: from App Info

1. Press and hold the Snapchat icon, then tap App info.
2. Tap Permissions, then Camera.
3. Choose Allow only while using the app. Also allow Microphone if you post videos.

Method B: from Settings

1. Open Settings, then Apps.
2. Find Snapchat, tap Permissions, then tap Camera.
3. Select Allow while using the app.

Method C: from inside Snapchat

1. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon.
2. Tap the gear icon, then Permissions.
3. Tap Camera, then follow the prompts to grant permission.

Some Android builds add Only this time prompts. If you keep seeing them, select Allow while using the app. These steps cover how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020 on Android devices from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and more.

Still not working? Try these fixes

If camera access is on but the view is black, try these simple checks. These come from years of app support work.

Quick checks

• Make sure your Camera app works outside Snapchat. If it fails there, the issue is hardware or system, not Snapchat.
• Restart your phone. This clears camera service locks that block access.
• Update Snapchat from your app store. Old builds can lose permission links after OS updates.

iPhone specific

• Settings, Privacy, Camera. Confirm Snapchat is on.
• Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions. Allow Camera and Photos.
• Delete and reinstall Snapchat if the permission toggle will not appear. Sign back in and re-enable Camera.

Android specific

• Settings, Apps, Snapchat, Storage. Tap Clear cache. Do not Clear storage unless you can log back in.
• Turn off Battery Saver or Adaptive Battery. Some modes pause the camera service.
• Settings, Apps, Special app access, Camera access for apps. Confirm Snapchat is allowed.

Network and account checks

• Ensure date and time are set to automatic. Wrong time can block login and lenses.
• Free up storage. Low space can break camera previews and saving Snaps.
• Log out and back in. Then repeat the permission steps.

If none of this helps, uninstall and reinstall Snapchat. Reboot after uninstall, then install fresh and grant Camera. This route often solves edge cases for how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020 when simple toggles fail.

Why you keep getting permission prompts

Major OS updates can reset some app permissions. You might also see prompts after clearing app data or switching devices. This is normal and helps protect your privacy.

Snapchat also needs your Microphone for videos and your Photos or Storage to save Snaps. If you deny Photos, your camera may open but saving fails. Keep this in mind as part of how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020 so you do not miss key features.

Pro tips from the field

I have seen users tap Don’t Allow by accident, then wonder why the camera is black. If you did, do not stress. The fix is the same as above. Just toggle Camera back on.

If your child’s device uses parental controls, set Camera as allowed, then grant Snapchat permission. On some Android phones, third‑party screen recorders or floating widgets can block the camera view. Disable those and try again. If you support a team, document these steps once and share a one‑page guide labeled how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020 so no one wastes time.

Frequently Asked Questions of how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020

Why does Snapchat say I need to enable camera access?

Snapchat cannot open your camera without permission from the system. Turn on Camera in your device settings, then reopen the app.

Where is the camera permission on iPhone?

Go to Settings, Snapchat, and enable Camera. Or go to Settings, Privacy, Camera, and turn on Snapchat.

Where is the camera permission on Android?

Open Settings, Apps, Snapchat, Permissions, then Camera. Choose Allow while using the app.

Why is the camera toggle missing on my iPhone?

Check Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions. If Camera is restricted, the toggle will not appear until you allow it.

Will reinstalling Snapchat help if the camera still fails?

Yes, a clean install often fixes broken links to permissions. Back up your login, reinstall, then enable Camera on first launch.

Conclusion

You now know exactly how to allow snapchat to access your camera 2020 on iPhone and Android. Start with the permission toggle, then follow the simple fixes if the camera still will not open. Keep your app updated and your system settings clean.

Give these steps a try right now and send a test Snap. Want more quick guides like this? Subscribe, share this article with a friend, or leave a comment with your device model and what worked for you.