The first Snapchat lens that reacts to your voice has arrived

Get ready to have glowing ears respond to your voice.
 By 
Jake Krol
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Snapchat is adding its very first Lens that reacts to sound.

Now, when users open the app, they'll see a new type of lens and way to emote thanks to the launch of sound-powered filters in the app.

Snapchat's last major update to its popular Lenses feature was something called Snappables, which were interactive augmented reality games that launched in April. Now, it appears that the company is adding even more diversity to the filters.

Despite recent blowback for its much-maligned redesign, Lenses are still a core feature of the app. With this new addition, Snapchat continues to add some of the most original photo and video filters available on any service.

The new Lens is relatively basic at first glance. It adds neon pink ears to your head, a little heart to your nose, and whiskers that hover above your cheeks. But the lens really starts to come alive when your microphone begins to pickup sound.

When the app detects sound, the ears begin to grow and glow depending on the noise levels. You can see an example in the video below.

While testing it in the office, I was impressed by how easily it was able to ignore background noise, and the ears mostly responded to my voice. The result was actually pretty neat.

I was a little disappointed, though, because the filter doesn't react to different pitches of sounds — which in my opinion, could add an entirely new level of interaction. Hopefully, future sound-powered Lenses will incorporate pitch detection and some degree of AI to respond to certain words.

Games would be a natural fit for sound integration, too, especially because Snappables only rely on facial movement for now. Sound integration could potentially make the games more fun and could help to get more people playing them.

Advertisers who decide to create Sponsored Lenses will be able to make original ones that combine visuals with sound.

Like other Lenses, the sound reactions will likely get swapped out for new ones in just a couple of days or weeks. But you can also bet that additional ones are coming soon. The first Lens with sound reaction in the carousel on iOS and Android now.

As for whether Instagram will copy this feature for Stories, it remains to be seen.

Mashable Image
Jake Krol

Jake Krol was a Tech Writer at Mashable and had been at the company May–December 2018. He holds a degree in Media & Communication from Muhlenberg College. Jake has a big love for all things tech, and is a huge Springsteen fan and also a native New Jerseyan.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

Google responds to claim that it stole NPR host's voice
google logo on smartphone


ARC Raiders opts to replace AI-generated dialogue with professional voice actors
By Jack Dawes
ARC Raiders

Stephen Colbert reacts to Trump's attack on Venezuela
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage.

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!