Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does iSnapMe work with Android phones?
2. What is iSnapMe?
3. Why do I need iSnapMe?
4. How does video chat work?
5. How does iSnapMe stay on my mobile device?
6. What products are compatible with iSnapMe?
7. How do I install iSnapMe?
8. How do I remove iSnapMe?
9. Does iSnapMe support other devices?
10. Why do the suction cups sometimes release?
11. Why are there 2 mirrors on iSnapMe?
12. Do the multiple mirrors degrade the quality of the picture?
13. Why do I see the phone or mirror edge in the picture?
14. iSnapMe works perfect on my friends phone, but the picture has edge effects on mine no matter what I do! Why?
15. How do I clean my iSnapMe?
16. Is iSnapMe fragile?
17. What kind of warranty is provided with iSnapMe?
18. I am an Oklahoma resident. Why did you charge tax?
19. Will iSnapMe work if I have a case on my phone?

1. Does iSnapMe work with Android phones?

Although iSnapMe was originally designed for the iPhone, it does work with selected Android phones. Motorola Droid Model A855 has been tested and is fully compatible with iSnapMe. Droix X has also been tested and unfortunately it does not work.

2. What is iSnapMe?

iSnapMe is an accessory that attaches to the back of your mobile phone over the camera. It turns the rear facing camera into a forward facing camera. iSnapMe enables you to use a rear facing camera with video conferencing software (like Tango). You can also use iSnapMe to see your own picture while looking at the screen!

3. Why do I need iSnapMe?

If you have an old iPhone or other compatible device and you want a forward facing camera...iSnapMe is for you! iSnapMe enables video conferencing (like Tango). iSnapMe is much cheaper than upgrading your iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, or iPhone 3Gs to the iPhone 4!

4. How does video chat work?

After installing iSnapMe on your phone, go to the app store and downlaod Tango. They are the best solution for video calling. A bit of information on Tango:

Tango is a free mobile video calling service that connects family and friends wherever they are. Tango offers high quality video calling for iOS and Android phones and works over 3G, 4G, and WiFi. Millions of people in 140 countries are using Tango to communicate every day, stay connected, and share special moment as they happen. Download the Tango application for free in the App Store and Android Market.

5. How does iSnapMe stay on my mobile device?

iSnapMe uses two suction cups so it can be easily removed and stored when you are not using it. The suction cups do not leave any permanent marks or glue residue! You can easily stow your iSnapMe when not in use, or leave it on your phone for one of those last minute vanity shots!

6. What products are compatible with iSnapMe?

The iSnapMe was designed with the iPhone in mind. But we encourage you to use it on any device.

7. How do I install iSnapMe?

To install iSnapMe, clean the backside of the mobile phone and the suction cups. Lightly moisten the suction cups and align the small mirror with the camera. It may help to use the camera application to ensure that you get the camera aligned properly. Press lightly on the suction cups until the air underneath them is evacuated. See diagram below for orientation.

8. How do I remove iSnapMe?

The best way to remove the suction cups without damaging the iSnapMe is to peel up the edge of the suction cups near the edge of the phone. Do not twist the iSnapMe as the plastic may be damaged under the load and cause the mirrors to become unglued. See diagram below for explanation.

9. Does iSnapMe support other devices?

Yes, but not all devices will work. The key for support is that the camera lens must be within 10mm (~0.4″) of the edge of the device and there needs to be about 50mm (~2″) for the suction cups to attach. If the camera is further than 10mm from the edge, you may experience that some of the viewable image is blocked by the device edge. The effects can be cropped by most photo editing software. If you would like to share with us a device you found that works with iSnapMe, feel free to send us an email and let us know what device you are using it with, and we may add it to our compatibility list on the website to share with everyone!

10. Why do the suction cups sometimes release?

The suction cups operate on a pressure differential (or vacuum). If there is any dirt under the suction cup, it may not seal properly. Clean the suction cups and host device before installing. Moistening the suction cup will help provide a better seal but be careful not to over-moisten as this will not allow the suction cups to seal on the mating surface.

11. Why are there 2 mirrors on iSnapMe?

There are many benefits to using multiple mirrors to turn the camera direction. The first and most important is to make the device as small as possible. Another important reason is that it allows us to move the field of view to the side of the phone eliminating the camera case from the picture! Additionally, when an even number of mirrors are used, the orientation of the picture is corrected. This means that if you are wearing a hat or shirt with words, they will show up legible instead of backwards!

12. Do the multiple mirrors degrade the quality of the picture?

No! The mirrors are made from optical quality glass so the picture should have no noticeable quality degradation. If dust and dirt is present on the mirrors or camera lens, this may degrade the picture quality. To resolve this, remove the iSnapMe and clean the mirrors with a soft cloth.

13. Why do I see the phone or mirror edge in the picture?

With a little practice, you will find the sweet spot for the iSnapMe that gives you the best picture. When looking at the camera lens through iSnapMe, the camera should be as close as possible to the center of the edge (also called midpoint) of the small piece of glass. If iSnapMe is too close to the glass edge, you will see reflections of the edge in the form of lines in your picture. If you are too far, you will see the edge of the phone. These effects can be easily cropped by using photo editing software.

14. iSnapMe works perfect on my friends phone, but the picture has edge effects on mine no matter what I do! Why?

Many digital cameras found in mobile phones have an adjustable lens that is calibrated during the manufacturing process. So if you have 10 phones in front of you, the apparent field of view will be slightly different for each. These are not easy to adjust without disassembling the phone and we do not recommend that you do so.

15. How do I clean my iSnapMe?

The iSnapMe is made from engineering plastics and optical quality glass. It should be very durable. You can use a towel or other soft cloth to clean the surface. It is also OK to use solvents designed for cleaning glass. It is a good idea to keep extremely hard objects away from the plastic and glass surfaces so that scratching can be minimized.

16. Is iSnapMe fragile?

Yes and No. The iSnapMe mirrors are made of real optical quality glass and can break. If you run over your iSnapMe with a car, expect it to break! If you are careful with it, it will provide you with thousands of successful pictures.

17. What kind of warranty is provided with iSnapMe?

Although we don’t have any formal warranty, our goal is to ensure that you are happy with your purchase. Please contact us if you have any problems, and we will do our best to help you! If your iSnapMe is damaged, you may send it back to us for repair. There may be a handling fee or charge depending on the product condition and we evaluate this on a case by case basis and will let you know before we perform any work. Keep in mind that our goal is to make sure that you are happy with our product!!

18. I am an Oklahoma resident. Why did you charge tax?

We are located in Oklahoma. Oklahoma law requires that we charge sales tax based on your zip code (and computes state, county, and city taxes) where applicable. If you are a resident of any other state, tax will not be charged. It is your responsibility to claim use tax in your respective state.

19. Will iSnapMe work if I have a case on my phone?

Generally, no. It will not. Unfortunately, the suction cups that are on the iSnapMe device require the material that is part of the iPhone. If you are willing to take your case on and off to use iSnapMe, then it will work fine. However, many customers find that an inconvenient solution. Also, the iSnapMe will only work in a very specific place on the device. A case will lift the iSnapMe far enough away from the iPhone to cause it not to work (even if it happens to stick to the case).