Snapchat

Snapchat, from Snap Inc, remains one of the most installed communication apps on Google Play, with more than a billion downloads. The current version is 14.25.0.43, and its release notes describe it as a small tune-up to keep everything running smoothly. Updates like this usually focus on bug fixes and performance rather than new tools.

The app itself covers a lot of ground: a camera with Lenses and Filters, chat and video calls, Stories, Spotlight, the Snap Map, Memories, and Friendship Profiles. Most of these are easy to learn by tapping around, while the settings behind privacy, storage, and day-to-day comfort tend to matter more over time than any single new Lens or feature.

Version 14.25.0.43 on Android 6.0 and up

• Updated: September 22, 2026
• Version: 14.25.0.43
• Requires Android: 6.0+
• Developer: Snap Inc
• Installs: 1,000,000,000+

Google Play data as of September 26, 2026

What is in the app right now

Snapchat still opens straight to the camera. Tap to take a photo or press and hold to record video, then add Lenses, Filters, or Bitmoji. New Lenses created by the Snapchat community appear daily. Chat supports live messaging and Group Stories, and video chat works with up to 16 friends at once, with Lenses available during calls.

Stories show what friends are doing, while other sections surface community Stories based on your interests, news, and Original Shows. Spotlight collects popular Snaps from across the app in a vertical feed similar to TikTok, and you can submit your own. Friendship Profiles give each friendship a shared space with saved moments and Charms, which highlight things like how long you have been friends.

Snap also offers a paid subscription called Snapchat+ with extra features. The core app remains free to download and use, and the camera, chat, Stories, and map all work without the subscription. If you decide to try it, check the current features and pricing on the subscription screen inside the app, since both can change, and note whether billing runs through Google Play so you know where to cancel.

Snap Map, location, and Ghost Mode

The Snap Map lets you share your location with friends and see theirs when they share with you. Live Stories from nearby or around the world can be explored there too. Location sharing is useful for meeting up, but decide carefully who can see where you are, and review that list from time to time.

Ghost Mode hides your location on the map, and you can turn it on from the map settings. Sharing can also be limited to specific friends rather than all of them. Android’s own location permission for Snapchat provides a further layer of control, and setting it to only while using the app limits background access. The current setting is shown in App info under Permissions.

Parents helping a teenager set up the app should review these map settings together, since they have the most direct effect on personal safety. Revisit them after a major update as well, because new map features can appear with their own options. A quick look at who can see your location, and whether Ghost Mode is still on, takes less than a minute.

Memories, storage, and message privacy

Memories stores photos and videos you choose to save, and the listing says you can save an unlimited number. You can edit old moments, send them to friends, save them to your Camera Roll, or build new Stories from them. The app can also use a fair amount of phone storage for cached content, and clearing the cache in Snapchat’s settings can recover space without deleting Memories.

Snap reminds users that anyone can capture or save messages by taking a screenshot, using another camera, or other methods. Disappearing messages are not a guarantee of privacy, so it is sensible to be mindful of what you send. The settings menu also lets you control who can contact you and who can view your Story.

Camera, Lenses and Snap Map screens

The tune-up, Ghost Mode and group video

Does Snapchat 14.25.0.43 bring new features?

Not really. The release notes call version 14.25.0.43 a small tune-up to keep things running smoothly, which usually means fixes and performance work.

How do I hide my location on Snapchat?

Open Snap Map, go to its settings and turn on Ghost Mode. While it stays on, friends can no longer see your location.

How many people can join a Snapchat video chat?

Up to 16 friends at once, according to the Google Play listing, and Lenses and Filters keep working during the call.