Snapchat keeps things fun, but let’s be real, those icons, emojis, and streaks can get confusing fast.
Every little symbol actually says something about your snaps, friends, or activity. So here’s a straight-up guide to what all those Snapchat symbols really mean.
Breaking Down Snapchat Core Icons
With Snapchat, those little arrows and squares actually say a lot about your messages. Each color and shape gives you a quick update on what’s been sent, seen, or received.
Here’s how to make sense of them.
Sent Icons
When you send a message on Snapchat, colored arrows indicate the type of content sent: a red arrow for a Snap without sound, a purple arrow for a Snap with audio, and a blue arrow for a chat message.
A grey arrow means your Snap is pending, usually because the recipient hasn’t added you back or has removed you.
Opened Icons
After your message is opened on Snapchat, the icons change to hollow versions: a hollow red square indicates your Snap without audio has been viewed, a hollow purple square shows a Snap with audio has been opened, and a hollow blue chat bubble means your chat message has been read.
These changes let you know when your content has been seen.
Received Icons
When you receive content on Snapchat, filled icons appear to indicate the type of message: a red square means you’ve received a Snap without sound, a purple square shows a Snap that includes sound, and a blue chat bubble signals a new chat message.
These icons help you quickly identify what kind of content has arrived.
Screenshot Icons
Snapchat notifies you when something is saved or replayed.
Double purple arrows indicate a screenshot of a snap with audio, double green arrows show a screenshot of a chat message, and an eye symbol with a number displays how many times a story has been viewed.
This privacy-focused design keeps you informed about any unusual activity on their content.
Also Read: How to Find Your Snapchat Username and Reset Your Password?
Snapchat UI & Status Symbols
Snapchat is full of subtle status icons that keep you informed without needing to open every chat.
A green dot shows when a friend is online, while a “pending” status means your snap or message hasn’t been delivered, either because the recipient hasn’t added you back or there’s a connection issue.
Story icons also help you stay updated: a circle indicates a new story, a padlock means it’s a private story viewable by select friends, and a gold star shows someone has replayed that story.
Snapchat Friend Emojis & What They Actually Mean
Snapchat keeps track of how often you interact with your friends and shows it using emojis.
These symbols are all about who you’re snapping the most and how strong that connection is.
The Heart Emojis
These are the big ones everyone notices. Each color shows a different level of friendship.
💛 A Yellow Heart is for you and a friend who snaps each other the most.
❤️ A Red Heart comes when you’ve been each other’s #1 for two weeks straight.
💕 A Pair of Pink Hearts for when or if you’ve held that #1 spot for two months.
Other Friend Emojis
Snapchat goes beyond just hearts. These emojis help you figure out the rest of your snap squad:
Snapchat’s emojis reveal the dynamics of your friendships: a 😊 Smiling Face means they’re a best friend but not your top one, while a 😬 Grimacing Face shows your top best friend is also theirs.
A 😏 Smirking Face means you’re high on their list, but they’re not on yours. The 😎 Sunglasses Face means you both share a mutual best friend.
A 👶 Baby emoji shows you just added each other, signaling a new friendship, and ✨ Sparkles mean you’re in a group chat together.
Zodiac Signs & Birthday Emojis
Snapchat adds a fun personal touch with birthday and zodiac symbols. If it’s your friend’s birthday, you’ll see a 🎂 birthday cake emoji next to their name, simple and easy to spot.
If someone’s added their birthdate to their profile, their zodiac sign will also show up beside their name.
Each sign has its own emoji, like ♈ for Aries (the ram), ♉ for Taurus (the bull), or ♌ for Leo (the lion).
It’s a subtle way Snapchat makes profiles feel a bit more personal and adds some astrological flavor to your friend list.
Understanding Snapchat Charms
Snapchat Charms are like little digital badges that show off the kind of connection you have with someone.
You’ll find them on the friendship profile between you and a friend, and they update based on your activity together.
There are different types of Friendship Charms like Super BFF, Besties, or New Friends that track how close you are.
Birthday Charms pop up when you share the same birthday or even have birthdays six months apart.
Then there are Score Charms that reflect your Snapchat score, and Bitmoji Charms that show fun stuff about you and your friend’s avatars.
If you’re in a group chat, you’ll also see Group Charms based on how everyone interacts, like who shares the most or sets the trends.
Story and Snap Symbols
Snapchat snaps and stories come with their own set of icons that give you quick info about what’s going on.
You might see 🔁 circular arrows for looping snaps, a 🎂 birthday cake when it’s someone’s special day, or a 🌟 gold star if a snap’s been replayed.
A 🔇 muted speaker means there’s no sound, and a ⚡ lightning bolt shows a snap with a one-time effect.
If you’re on a Snapstreak, look for the 🔥 fire emoji, and if that streak’s about to expire, the ⌛ hourglass pops up as a warning.
Hit the 💯 emoji, and that means you've kept it going for 100 days. These little symbols keep things fun and help you stay on top of your snap game.
Snapchat Symbols Summary
Takeaway
Snapchat’s emojis and icons add a lot of fun and meaning to your social interactions.
Knowing what they mean will keep you updated about your friendships and online activity.
Next time you open Snapchat, you’ll instantly recognize what those symbols mean and make the most of your snapping experience.
