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How to Boomerang a video with Instagram, Snapchat, and more in 2024

Learn how to create Boomerang video content from your camera roll, with online Boomerang video makers, on your iPhone, and more.

Alec Chillingworth

• 7 min read
Filming a Boomerang

Boomerang video was a super-popular format in the mid-2010s. Today, we’ll learn all about this quirky editing trick, plus how to turn a video into a Boomerang on Instagram, Snapchat, and more. 

We'll cover:

Doing a Boomerang

What is a Boomerang video?

Boomerang was an iOS and Android app first introduced by Instagram in 2015. The app allowed users to record short bursts of five photos, stitching them together into a one-second, silent video. Think of it like stop-motion animation, or a GIF.

Then, the video would be looped back and forth, creating a never-ending ‘boomerang’ video effect. This differs from a GIF, which just replays a sequence — content created in the Boomerang video app would play, reverse, then play again. 

The Boomerang video app also saved content automatically to the user’s camera roll, meaning they could publish their content across multiple social media platforms.

How many seconds is a Boomerang video?

Traditionally, Boomerang videos were one second long. You don’t have to stick to the rules here, though. As long as the clip’s relatively brief and looks good in reverse, a two- or three-second Boomerang could work great.

Does the Boomerang video app still exist?

As you might have guessed, we’ve been referring to the Boomerang video app in the past tense for a reason: it doesn’t exist anymore. It’s a shame, given how simple the app was to use, and the fact that you didn’t even need an Instagram account to use it. 

Couple sending a Boomerang at the movies

How do you Boomerang a video on Instagram?

Even though the Boomerang app was deleted in 2022, you can still create Boomerang video content directly through Instagram. Here’s how:

  1. Open your Instagram mobile app, then click the ‘+’ icon at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Select the ‘Story’ option, then click the ‘Boomerang’ symbol on the left-hand side. The symbol looks like the infinity sign: ‘∞’.
  3. You’ll see the ‘∞’ symbol at the bottom of the screen, which acts as the ‘Record’ button. Before you film anything, you can scroll through different effects to alter your Boomerang video. These effects can be found by swiping right on the ‘Record’ button.
  4. Once you’ve decided whether to use effects or not, hold down the ‘Record’ button to start Boomeranging. Move your camera quickly, as you only have a second to capture your footage. 
  5. Your Boomerang video will then preview. If you want to shoot your footage again, hit the ‘X’ in the top-left corner of the screen to start over. 
  6. Add extras and effects to your Instagram Boomerang, if you feel like it. These options are housed in the top-right corner of the screen, and allow you to add captions, slow-motion effects, and more. You can also add music from Instagram’s catalog at this stage.
  7. Once you’re happy with your Boomerang, you can share it. Click ‘Your Story’ to share the content publicly on your Instagram Story, or ‘Close Friends’ to share with a select few. You can also save the Boomerang to your device. It’s worth noting that if you include music from Instagram in your Boomerang, the track won’t appear in your downloaded version. The music provided by Instagram is only available on Instagram.
Editing a Boomerang

Is there a Boomerang video-maker app in 2024?

There are several video editing apps and software that can help you make Boomerangs. More often than not, they’ll let you take existing footage from your gallery or camera roll, rather than relying on off-the-cuff footage filmed in an app. They also let you stretch Boomerang footage beyond the traditional one-second mark. 

Let’s take a look at a few of the options:

  • Loop Videos & GIF Maker: An app dedicated to bite-sized clips, whether they be Boomerangs or GIFs. The catchily titled Loop Videos & GIF Maker supports 4K video, and packs in a bunch of extras. You can use the app for free, but the videos come with a watermark attached and are set to a default 1.5x speed. This speed looks pretty cool paired with Boomerang videos, but if you’d like 1x speed and more features, the paid plan starts at $4.99 per week or $39.99 per year.
  • Clideo: This online video editing tool requires no software or app installation — it’s all in-browser, and does much more than just Boomerangs. Clideo is available for free, as long as you’re OK with watermarks on your content. Creating watermark-free content with Clideo costs $9 per month, or $6 per month if you choose the yearly plan.
  • FlexClip: Another web-based tool here, which allows users to work on 12 projects for free before upgrading. From there, FlexClip costs $19.99 per month, or $11.99 per month on the yearly plan. Like Clideo, it gives users a broad range of video editing features, rather than solely focusing on Boomerang content.

Once you’ve created your Boomerang video outside of Instagram, you can upload it like you would any other video file. 

Filming a Boomerang

How do you Boomerang a video on Snapchat?

Snapchat has enjoyed a real comeback in the 2020s, but does it support Boomerang video? It certainly does. Here’s how to make a Boomerang video on Snapchat:

  1. Record a Snapchat video, then search for the ‘Bounce’ option. You can find this on the right-hand side by swiping through the column of icons. The ‘Bounce’ icon looks like two arrows forming a circle — this is Snapchat’s own version of a Boomerang.
  2. If you don’t see two arrows forming a circle, double-check that the icon is set to ‘Bounce’. Depending on when you last used it, this setting could be stuck on ‘Loop’ or ‘Snap Timer’ mode. Once you’re sure it’s set to ‘Bounce’, you’re ready for the next step.
  3. A white box will appear on your Snapchat video’s timeline — this is the Bounce effect. Use the slider to drag it across the part of your video you’d like to turn into a Boomerang-style video.
  4. Once you’re happy with the placement of your Bounce effect, you can save and share your content. Download it to your device, publish it as a Story, or send it as a message. 

At the moment, Snapchat Bounce is only available via iOS.

Creating selfie content

How do you Boomerang a video on TikTok?

Can you create Boomerangs for TikTok? Yep. You can experiment by recording and reversing clips, but that’s a hassle. You’re better off using one of the Boomerang apps or sites we mentioned earlier, or downloading a Boomerang you created on Instagram. 

Then, upload it to TikTok and go wild. Just edit your Boomerang in TikTok as you would a regular video.

How do you make a Boomerang video for other social media platforms?

If you want to create Boomerang videos for Facebook Stories, YouTube Shorts, or something else entirely, fear not. Create your Boomerang video with a third-party program, or download a Boomerang you created with Instagram. Then, edit and upload your content as usual.

Shooting iPone content

How do you add music to a Boomerang video?

If you upload your Boomerang video to a social media platform with a built-in music collection, and choose music through said platform, you’re good to go. As long as you only use it on that platform, you’re working within the rules and shouldn’t run into trouble. 

However, if you want to use a specific track that’s not available on the platform, you’ll have to edit your Boomerang in a third-party app, add the music, then upload the finished article to social media.

If you do this, you’ll need the correct license for the track you’re using. Otherwise, you could risk losing the right to monetize your content on certain platforms, and in some cases, your Boomerang video could be muted or even removed. 

Filming a Boomerang with a dog

So, let us handle it. Our catalog is high-quality, affordable, and safe. An Epidemic Sound subscription goes beyond royalty-free music, removing the headache of licensing and freeing you up to do what you do best. 

You can enjoy the safety of our license hand-in-hand with our massive catalog of 50,000 tracks, covering just about every genre you can think of. You’ll also gain unlimited access to our advanced search functions — finding the right sound’s never been easier. 

It’s better than royalty-free. It’s worry-free. Get started with Epidemic Sound below.

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