How to join the Snapchat beta on Android

Snapchat users with an Android device can participate in an open beta of the app. Beta programs allow companies to test new features and updates before release to all users, gathering important feedback and fixing bugs along the way.

Snapchat's beta program isn't new, having launched in late 2013. But unless you happen upon the signup page in the Settings portion of the app, or on the Snapchat website you'd likely never know it existed.

Unlike other apps, in some instances Snapchat allows its beta testers to opt-out of testing new features on an individual basis.

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Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

Here's how you can sign up and test upcoming features in Snapchat for Android:

• Open the app on your Android device.
• From the main screen, swipe down.
• Tap on the Settings icon.
• Scroll down until you find the Advanced section; tap on Snapchat Beta.
• Select Count me in

You can then follow the prompts to sign up. The rest of the process consists of joining the Snapchat beta Google+ page, opting in to the beta, and then updating the Snapchat app in the Play store. Alternatively, you can sign up using your browser by visiting this page.

Snapchat's instructions ask you to uninstall and then reinstall the app, however if you wait a few minutes you should have an update for the app in the Play store.

You can view and control which of the beta features active in the current build you have installed on your device by going back into Settings and selecting Snapchat Beta. The bottom of the list will list the features (and give you the option to disable if it's available). This is also where you can go to leave the beta, should you decide to no longer participate.