What does a X mean on Snapchat? Understanding and Decoding Icons

What does a X mean on Snapchat? Discover the meaning of the 'X' icon on Snapchat, find out why it appears next to some usernames and what actions you can take when you encounter it.

by Aishwarya R

Updated Sep 07, 2023

Advertisement
What does a X mean on Snapchat? Understanding and Decoding Icons
Fresherslive

About Snapchat

Snapchat, developed by Snap Inc., is a dynamic American multimedia instant messaging app. It is distinguished by its unique feature of making pictures and messages available for only a limited time, providing users with a sense of privacy and spontaneity. Over time, Snapchat has evolved from its original focus on person-to-person photo sharing to encompass a wide range of features.

Article continues below advertisement

One of the central features of Snapchat is its "Stories," where users can curate 24-hour collections of chronological content, sharing their daily experiences through photos and videos. Additionally, "Discover" allows brands to engage users with ad-supported short-form content. Snapchat also provides a secure space known as "My Eyes Only" for users to protect and store their photos behind a password.

The app's emphasis on privacy and security is evident in its limited use of end-to-end encryption, with plans to expand its implementation in the future. Snapchat represents a mobile-first approach to social media, focusing on user interaction through features like virtual stickers and augmented reality objects.

As of July 2021, Snapchat boasted 293 million daily active users, signifying a remarkable 23% growth over the course of a year. It has also become particularly popular among younger generations, notably those below the age of 16, giving rise to concerns among parents regarding privacy and content sharing on the platform. Snapchat continues to innovate and adapt, making it a significant player in the world of multimedia messaging and social networking.

Article continues below advertisement

What does a X mean on Snapchat?

The "X" symbol next to a Snapchat username signifies that the individual has sent you a friend request which you have yet to accept. It serves as a visual cue, reminding you of pending friend requests that need your attention. To manage these requests, you can simply tap on the username, which will typically present you with two choices: an "Okay" button to accept the friend request or a "Report or Block" option to report or block the person if needed.

Alternatively, when viewing your Chat page, tapping the "X" icon next to the username will also grant you access to additional actions, allowing you to report, block, or clear the conversation from your screen. In summary, the presence of the "X" symbol alongside Snapchat usernames is an alert indicating that there are outstanding friend requests waiting for your response, providing a straightforward way to handle these requests.

Understanding the "X" Next to Snapchat Names

You can understand about  "X" from below:-

Friend Request Reminder

  • The "X" next to a Snapchat name signifies that the person has sent you a friend request, which you haven't accepted yet.
  • It serves as a notification to address pending friend requests.

Potential Scenarios

  • Unadding and Re-friending: If someone removed you as a friend on Snapchat but later sends you a friend request again, you may see an "X" next to their name.
  • Blocking and Reconnecting: When someone blocks you on Snapchat, you're automatically removed as their friend. If they unblock you and send a friend request afterward, the "X" may appear next to their name.
Article continues below advertisement

Clarity for New Connections

  • If you've never interacted or been friends with the user on Snapchat before, the "X" next to their name merely indicates that they've added you as a friend.

Decoding Snapchat Chat Icons

There are many Icons in Snapchat, here we are going to decode it:-

Color-Coded Snap Types

  • Snapchat employs a color-coding system for icons on the Chat screen:

    • Red icons represent Snaps without audio.
    • Purple icons signify Snaps with audio.
    • Blue icons are associated with chats.

Filled and Outlined Arrows

Article continues below advertisement

  • Filled colored arrows indicate Snaps sent to your friend.
  • Outlined arrows denote that your friend has opened the Snap you sent.

Squares: Read and Unread

  • Filled squares indicate an unread chat or an unopened Snap.
  • Outlined squares are a sign that you've viewed the Snap.
Article continues below advertisement

Special Icons

  • The screenshot icon is represented by two overlapping arrows, indicating that someone has taken a screenshot of your Snap.
  • The replay icon is denoted by an arrow in the form of a circle, showing that the recipient has replayed your Snap.

Gray Icons

Article continues below advertisement

  • Occasionally, icons may appear in gray:

    • A gray arrow next to a sent chat implies that the person hasn't accepted your friend request.
    • A gray outlined square indicates a pending or expired chat from a Snapchat user.

Features of Snapchat

Snapchat offers a wide range of features, including ephemeral messaging, multimedia sharing, augmented reality effects, interactive lenses, and various creative tools, making it a dynamic and engaging platform for communication and content creation.

  • Snapchat is primarily used for creating multimedia messages called "snaps." Snaps can consist of photos or short videos that can be edited with filters, effects, text captions, and drawings.
  • Snaps have a short lifespan and are designed to be accessible for only a brief period before becoming inaccessible to recipients, adding a sense of privacy and spontaneity to communication.
  • Users can send snaps privately to selected contacts or share them on their "Story." A "Story" is a collection of snaps that can be semi-public or public, allowing users to share their experiences over a 24-hour period.
  • Video snaps were introduced, allowing users to capture and share short videos of up to 60 seconds in length, segmented into 10-second intervals.
  • Snapchat added video chat and direct messaging features, enabling users to have real-time conversations and send ephemeral text messages while saving important information.
  • Snapchat introduced "Snapcash," a feature that facilitates money transfers between users through private messaging. This feature is powered by Square.
  • With the "Memories" feature, users can save snaps and story posts in a private storage area, where they can be viewed, edited, and re-shared as snaps, story posts, or messages. It includes a "My Eyes Only" area with additional security.
  • Snapchat offers various creative tools, including drawing with emojis, looping videos, and an eraser for removing objects from photos.
  • Snapchat introduced the ability to add clickable links to snaps, allowing users to direct viewers to specific websites.
  • Users can apply graphical overlays called geofilters based on their geographical location. Bitmoji stickers featuring personalized cartoon avatars can be used in snaps and messages.
  • Snapchat's "Lens" and "World Lenses" features use augmented reality technology to add real-time effects, 3D elements, and animations to snaps.
  • Snap Camera, a desktop application, enables the use of Snapchat lenses in video calls and live streaming services. Snapchat also integrated with Twitch, offering interactive lenses to stream viewers.
  • Snapchat introduced AR lenses that incorporate geo-locational mapping techniques to create interactive digital overlays on real-world surfaces, enhancing advertising experiences.
  • Users can share YouTube videos as stickers in their snaps, creating clickable links that redirect viewers to a browser or the YouTube app.
  • Snapchat includes customizable friend emojis and a Snap Score that tracks the number of snaps sent and received, providing users with a fun way to interact with friends.
  • Snapchat launched "My AI," a customizable chatbot offering users access to AI chatbot services, enhancing the chat experience.
  • Snapchat introduced the "Family Center" feature, allowing parents to monitor the activity of their children aged 13-18 on the platform.
  • Snapchat has announced plans to integrate a GPT-powered chatbot, similar to ChatGPT, offering users access to AI-driven interactions within the app.


Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.

What does a X mean on Snapchat - FAQs

1. What does the "X" icon mean on Snapchat?

The "X" icon next to a person's name on Snapchat indicates that they have sent you a friend request that you haven't accepted yet.

2.  Can I do anything with the "X" icon on Snapchat?

Yes, when you tap the name with the "X" icon, you can either accept the friend request by clicking "Okay" or take actions like reporting or blocking the person using the "Report or Block" option.

3. Why do I sometimes see an "X" icon next to someone I was previously friends with on Snapchat?

The "X" icon appears when someone who was previously your friend on Snapchat has removed you and sent you a friend request again. It signifies a pending friend request.

4. What if I've never been friends with the person, but I see an "X" next to their name?

If you've never been friends or interacted with the user before on Snapchat, the "X" icon simply indicates that the person has added you as a friend, and you have a pending friend request.

5. Can the "X" icon on Snapchat be gray sometimes?  

Yes, a gray "X" icon may appear next to a sent chat if the person hasn't accepted your friend request yet. It is a reminder that your friend request is pending their approval.

Advertisement