Snapchat Streaks (Snapstreaks or Streaks) are a fun and engaging feature that tracks how many consecutive days two friends exchange snaps on Snapchat. They have become a social trend among users, symbolizing constancy, friendship, and commitment. Here’s everything you need to know about how they work, how to maintain them, and why they matter.
What is a Snapchat Streak?
A Snapchat Streak begins when two users send each other snaps (photos or videos) daily for three consecutive days. After the third day, a 🔥 (fire/flame emoji) appears next to the friend’s name, along with a number indicating the streak count.
Here are the key notes that have to be followed to maintain the streak:
- Both users must send snaps within 24 hours to keep the streak alive.
- Only photos and videos taken from Snapchat’s camera count—chats, Memories, and group snaps do not.
- Streaks gamify social interaction, making it a fun challenge among friends.
How Do Snapchat Streaks Work?
Once a streak starts, the app tracks how many days in a row both users exchange snaps. Here are the key streak indicators:
Snapstreak Emojis & Their Meanings:
- 🔥 Fire Emoji – Appears after 3 days of consistent snapping, signaling an active streak.
- ⌛ Hourglass Emoji – Appears when the streak is about to expire (reminder/warning signal to send a snap soon).
- 💯 100 Emoji – Appears when the streak reaches 100 days, then disappears on day 101.
- Snap Score Bonus: Keeping a streak boosts your Snapchat score, making it a sought-after achievement.
What Doesn’t Count Toward a Streak?
To keep a streak going, you must follow these Snapchat rules:
Not counted:
- Text messages (chats).
- Snaps sent from Memories or Camera Roll.
- Group chat snaps (only one-on-one snaps count).
- Snaps sent using Spectacles (Snapchat’s smart glasses).
Must be: A fresh snap taken with Snapchat’s camera.
How to Start and Maintain a Streak
How to Start a Streak:
- Select a friend from your friends list with whom you want to maintain a streak on Snapchat.
- Send a new snap (photo/video) to a friend.
- Ensure your friend sends a snap back (chats don’t count).
- Continue exchanging snaps for three days to activate the streak.
How to Keep a Streak Going:
- Exchange at least one snap in every 24 hours.
- If you don’t send a snap within 24 hours, an ⌛ (hourglass emoji) will appear as a reminder to do so immediately to prevent streak loss.
- If you see the ⌛ (hourglass emoji) next to the Chat (like 13 🔥⌛️), your Snapstreak is about to expire! Then both the members send a snap immediately to prevent streak loss.
- Set a reminder if necessary to avoid missing a day.
- If a streak expires, both users lose it unless they use a streak restore feature (available for Snapchat+ users).
- If neither user sends a snap before the 24-hour deadline, the streak disappears permanently.
Note: Snapchat+ subscribers can enjoy these exclusive benefits – One free streak restore per month if they miss a day. Instant Streaks that let users start a streak immediately after exchanging snaps.
What Happens If a Snapstreak is Lost?
If you lose a Snapstreak, the 🔥 flame/fire emoji and streak number disappear besides the chat, and your streak resets to zero. So, when once you lose the 🔥 fire emoji, the streak does not reappear on its own. The streak count disappears, and you have to start a new Snapstreak by exchanging Snaps for three consecutive days.
Why Are People Obsessed With Streaks?
Snapstreaks are more than just a feature—they’re a social status for many Snapchat users, especially teens. Reasons for their popularity include:
- Game-like Challenge – Users enjoy competing to see who can maintain the longest streak.
- Symbol of Friendship – Many see streaks as a sign of strong relationships. It encourages daily communication between two users. Also, it makes social interactions fun and competitive.
- Motivation & Rewards – It boosts motivation and reward consistency when reaching milestones (like 100 days) brings a sense of achievement.
However, some users take streaks too seriously and become obsessed with maintaining streaks, seeing their loss as friendship-ending (considering as a measure of friendship). Others enjoy streaks purely for fun.
How to Appeal to Snapchat If your Snapstreak Ends Unfairly
Losing a long-running Snapstreak can be frustrating, especially if you believe it ended due to a mistake. Fortunately, Snapchat offers a way to appeal and potentially restore your streak.
Here’s how to request a streak restoration:
- Visit Snapchat Support – Go to Snapchat’s help page (open Snapchat app -> tap on Bitmoji -> tap on Settings (gear icon) -> go to Support and Feedback section -> Help Center -> tap on I lost my Snapstreak.
- Select “I lost my Snapstreak” – You can find Fill out this form in the section – I tried to restore my Snapstreak in the app, but it didn’t work. Then fill out this Snapstreak Restoration Request form with details about your credentials and the streak lost.
- Explain Your Situation – If you believe there was a glitch or an issue on Snapchat’s end, provide relevant information.
- Submit the Request – Finally, click on the Submit, and Snapchat may review and restore your streak if it qualifies. However, it might take at least 2 hours to receive a response to your ticket via registered email.
Note: While some users have tried online petitions to get their streaks restored, this is not an official method and is unlikely to work. Your best option is to appeal directly through Snapchat support.
Healthy Mindset Towards Snapstreaks
Enjoy Snapstreaks as a fun challenge, but don’t let them control how you define friendships! Here are a few things that have to be taken into your mind while doing these Snapstreaks:
- Don’t Let Snapstreaks Become a Burden: While Snapstreaks can be fun, they shouldn’t feel like an obligation. If keeping a streak causes stress, then avoid extreme measures like changing your schedule or interrupting important events. Talk to your streak partner—they may also feel pressured and might agree to let the streak end naturally. Remember, Snapchat is for fun! A streak should never cause anxiety.
- A Snapstreak Doesn’t Define a Friendship: It’s easy to equate streaks with friendship, but real connections go beyond an emoji: A streak is just a game, not a measure of loyalty. Losing a streak doesn’t mean losing a friend. Ensure to tell yourself that friendship is built on real connection, not a streak count, which enables you to still be friends even if Snapchat disappeared tomorrow.
- Avoid “Friend Hierarchies” Based on Streak Lengths: Don’t let streak numbers dictate friendship value—longer streaks don’t mean stronger bonds. For example: A 134🔥 streak with Zoey vs. a 71🔥 streak with Anna doesn’t mean Zoey is twice as good a friend. True friendship is based on support, trust, and meaningful interactions, not how many days you’ve exchanged snaps.
FAQs:
No, Snapchat streaks are private. Only you and the friend you have the streak with can see the 🔥 fire emoji and the streak count. Next to each other’s names. Other Snapchat users, even mutual friends, cannot view your streaks, unless they physically view the Snapchat app on your or your friend’s device. Snapchat doesn’t publicly display Snapstreaks to others.
On day 100, Snapchat rewards you with a 💯 emoji that appears next to your friend’s name as a milestone celebration. After Day 101, Snapchat removes the 💯 emoji and replaces it with the 🔥 fire emoji, but your streak continues to grow.
To end a streak, simply stop sending snaps for 24 hours and let it expire. The ⌛ hourglass emoji will appear as a warning, but ignoring it will allow the streak to disappear. Avoid the ‘Restore Streak’ feature, which appears immediately after disappearing the hourglass emoji. You can also block or remove the friend, which will instantly end the streak.
Yes, removing or blocking a friend immediately ends your streak. If you re-add them within 24 hours and exchange snaps, the streak might continue, but it’s not guaranteed. Usually, the streak can’t be restored if you block someone, even if you re-add them later.
The number next to the 🔥 fire emoji on Snapchat represents the Snapstreak count. It shows how many consecutive days you and a friend have exchanged Snaps (photos or videos) without missing a day. If either person misses a day, the streak disappears, and the number resets to zero. For example: If you see 🔥 50 next to a friend’s name, it means you have maintained a Snapstreak with them for 50 consecutive days.
Final Thoughts
Snapstreaks are a fun and interactive way to stay connected with friends, but they shouldn’t define a friendship. While some users love the challenge, others feel that obsessing over streaks can be stressful. Whether you aim for a 100-day streak or just enjoy snapping casually, the most important thing is having fun and using Snapchat in a way that suits you!
Feel free to share your queries with us in the comments section below, we will respond promptly to resolve and help you in happy Snapstreaking.
