How To Use Snapchat's New 3D Stickers

Once again, Snapchat has gone out of its way to remind us that we live in an age of futuristic technology. Mere weeks after a massive overhaul to their chat system, the app has released a magical new feature: 3D motion-tracking stickers. If you're an avid user, how to use Snapchat 3D stickers was undoubtedly the first thing on your mind when you woke up this morning, sensing a disturbance in the Snapchat force before you even got out of bed. If you're less technologically obsessed, on the other hand, this may be the first you've heard of the feature — but either way, prepare to have your mind blown.

First things first: What does "3D motion-tracking" even mean? It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie starring Tom Cruise, because it basically is. The new feature allows you to pin stickers to objects on a video — and the cool part? The stickers remain on the object even when it moves. If you're not appropriately awed yet, consider that this kind of real-time motion tracking is considered "augmented reality technology," and it's now available in your phone. For free. The future is now, people. Heck, we even have these things now:

Unfortunately, the stickers are only available to Android users at the moment, which could be because their operating systems are already equipped for such technology. (As iDigitial Times points out, AR advancements are typically tested on the Android operating system.) Considering the number of of iPhone users on Snapchat, however, it probably won't be long before the feature is available on iOS as well.

But if you have an Android phone and an obsession with new technology — or you just really want to pin an emoji face to your cat — using the 3D stickers is super easy. As always, make sure you update the app first, then follow the steps below.

1. Take A Video

Begin by taking a video like normal. (If you're new to Snapchat, this is done by holding down the center button on the screen that shows up when you first open the app.)

2. Select A Sticker

Once you've finished recording the video, select a sticker from the menu in the top right corner of the screen. (It looks like a piece of paper with the corner peeled up, next to the uppercase "T" icon.) This should pull up a list of stickers to choose from.

3. Place Your Sticker

After you pick your sticker, drag it to the object you want it to follow in the video.

4. Long-Press To Make It Stick

To pin the sticker to the object, long-press on the sticker and voila! It should follow the object as it moves during the video.

If you're an Android user, enjoy your ultra-futuristic technology. If you're an iPhone user, feel free to drown your sorrows in geofilters and lenses until 3D stickers are finally available on iOS. Either way, happy Snapping!

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