Snapchat finally lets all iPhone users put music in their snaps

Snapchat announced that iOS users around the world will be able to add popular music to their snaps.

The new update has been added in efforts to compete with other popular social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

The feature is currently available in New Zealand and Australia and in August the company plans on bringing music to more regions. However, the social media platform did not provide any information regarding when sounds might be available on Android devices.

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Further, Snap also revealed that it is testing the feature to allow users to add their own sounds, and this will be rolled out globally in the coming months.

The concept is simple, when a user receives a snap with sounds, they can simply swipe up to view the album art, song title, and name of the artist reports The Verge.

They can also tap the “Play This Song” link to listen to the full song on other streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.

Snap does not say how big its music catalog is other than calling it “robust and curated.” The licensing deals cover tracks from Warner Music Group, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, BMG Music Publishing, and others.

The app recently announced that it is launching a search tool called Here For You, aimed at providing “safety resources” from mental health experts.

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The new update is likely to give the company the push it needs to increase growth. In July Snap reported a bump in user growth at the start of coronavirus-led lockdowns petered out sooner than expected, and it forecast fewer current-quarter users than the Wall Street consensus.

Snap faces tough competition from its competitors; Instagram rolled out music stickers for Stories in 2019 and launched TikTok competitor, Reels, in August. Meanwhile, TikTok continues to be popular amongst teens despite facing scrutiny from governments around the world.