How To Use Snapchat Stickers

Just when you thought you got the hang of last fall's new Snapchat update, there's a new new Snapchat update to keep you up at night. If you've spent the last 24 hours in a haze of confusion — what is Snapchat Chat 2.0, how do you use Snapchat stickers, and why can't we just go back to MySpace? — you're certainly not alone. The update has brought about some major changes to everyone's favorite face-swapping/rainbow puking tool, but fortunately, they're not terribly difficult to grasp.

The majority of the changes are to Snapchat's chat function, which hadn't changed much since it rolled out in May 2014. While other messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp continued to redesign and add new functions pretty frequently, Snapchat focused on other aspects — most notably, the introduction of geofilters and lenses, praised be their name. However, Snapchat Chat 2.0 pretty much overhauls the chat system, introducing six new features that will remind that technology is effing amazing. Although video chat has been around for a while, the new update allows you to call other users even if they aren't present in the app, leave video or audio "notes" for them when they log on next, and easily switch between audio and video. (We've done a tutorial on how to use the new video chat here, and a more general tutorial on how to get the update here.)

Unlike other video services, you can send text and photos during a video chat, including some seriously adorable stickers. Currently, there are 11 different sticker sets illustrating everything from hardworking walruses, to frowny sunflowers, to "leetle seedlings" guaranteed to make you flail with happiness. Trust me, you're going to want to make these part of your everyday life ASAP — so let's take a look at how to get Snapchat stickers below. (As always, remember that you have to update your app to get the new features.)

1. Open The Chat Function

To open the chat function, swipe right on the user you want to chat with. (In my case, I chose to harass my long-suffering sister.)

2. Press The Smiley Face

As I ever-so-handily pointed out for you, stickers can be found under the smiley face to the right of the video camera symbol.

3. Scroll Through The Options

There are dozens of stickers to choose from, and you can browse through them by scrolling down.

4. Choose Wisely

When you pick your sticker, just press on it to send — but beware, because it sends immediately. If you pick the wrong one, there's no taking it back (except through the application of more stickers, in which case you're really just piling on more stickers to hide the previous one).

5. Create A New Method Of Communication

Much like emoji, Snapchat's stickers appear in a row rather than in a separate message each time — so you can craft entire sentences without saying a word. The future is now, people.

Images: Unsplash, Claire Warner/Bustle (5)