How to Search Filters on Instagram

Add effects to your Instagram stories and posts

By Robert Earl Wells III
Updated on April 10, 2022
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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What to Know

  • Open the camera, then swipe left on the icons at the bottom of the screen until and tap the magnifying glass (Browse Effects).
  • To find filters from a specific creator, go to their profile, tap the smiley above their grid, and select the filter you want to try.
  • To send an Instagram filter to a friend, open the filter in the camera, tap the filter's name at the bottom of the screen, then tap Send To.

This article explains how to search for filters on Instagram using the mobile app for iOS and Android.

How To Search for Filters on Instagram

Instagram filters use augmented reality to add special effects to your Instagram stories and posts. Several filters are built-in to the app, but there are thousands more available. Here's how to look up Instagram filters:

  1. In the Instagram app, open the camera and swipe left through the icons at the bottom of the screen, then tap the magnifying glass (Browse Effects).

  2. Tap one of the filters you see or swipe through the categories at the top of the app. To search by name/keyword, tap the magnifying glass.

  3. When you tap a filter, you'll see a preview. Tap Try It or tap the down arrow to download the filter.

    Browser Effect, Search, and Download icons in the Instagram app.

  4. Tap OK to save the filter. When you go back to the camera, swipe right on the icons at the bottom of the screen to find the new filter.

    OK and Filter icon in the Instagram app.

How To Find Instagram Filters by Creator

Instagram users can create and upload their own filters for others to use. If you want to download a filter from a specific creator, follow these steps:

  1. Find the creator's profile and tap the smiley above their grid.

  2. Tap the filter you want, then tap Try It, or tap the down arrow to download the filter.

  3. Snap a photo or record a video with the filter, then share it with your friends.

    Smiley, Try It, and Record icons in the Instagram app.

Get Instagram Filters From Friends

See a cool filter on your friend's Instagram that you want to try for yourself? Go to the post with the filter you want and tap the filter's name at the bottom of the screen. You can then tap Try It or tap the down arrow to save it.

Your friend can also send you the filter by going to the filter in their camera, tapping the filter's name at the bottom of the screen, and tapping Send To.

Sparkles filter name and Send To in the Instagram app.
FAQ
  • Why can't I find filters on Instagram?

    If the Instagram filters feature isn't working, close and restart the app. You might need to force stop the app on Android. If you're still having problems, update the app or redownload it.

  • How do I use face filters on Instagram?

    To use face filters on Instagram, tap the Camera, then tap the Smiley Face. Start recording, then select a filter.

  • What are the most popular filters on Instagram?

    The most popular Instagram filters include Clarendon, Juno, Ludwig, Lark, Gingham, Lo-Fi, Valencia, Aden, and X-Pro II.

  • How do I make filters on Instagram?

    Use a program like Spark AR Studio to create filters on a Windows or Mac computer. Such programs will also help you export the filter and upload it to Instagram.

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