Why Do Emojis Appear Next to People’s Usernames?
Snapchat uses emojis to show who you interact with the most. These emojis change based on how much you snap or chat with your friends. They’re private, and only you can see them on your own friend list.
It’s Snapchat’s way of showing who your closest friends are on the app. One of the most talked-about ones is the red heart.
Let’s break down what it means and how you can get it.
Table of Contents
What Is the Red Heart on Snapchat?
The red heart ❤️ on Snapchat means you and another user have been each other’s #1 best friend for two weeks straight.
You both snap and chat more with each other than with anyone else.
Where does it appear?
It shows up next to your friend’s name in the chat list.
What does it look like?
A red heart emoji. Simple but strong.
It’s a big deal.
This emoji shows consistency. You’re not just snapping once or twice—you’re snapping a lot. Every day.
Why People Care About the Red Heart
Some people use Snapchat to track their social life. The red heart is proof of a strong connection on the app. It’s not just a cute symbol. It’s a badge for being someone’s top friend for two weeks straight.
Want to learn more about future trends in digital interaction? Check out our guide on The Future of Social Media.
How to Get the Red Heart on Snapchat
Here’s how it works:
- Send snaps daily: The more snaps you send, the better.
- Snap that one person the most: Only one person can be your #1 best friend.
- They must snap you back: It only counts if it goes both ways.
- Avoid snapping others too much: If you spread your attention, the red heart may go to someone else.
This emoji shows up after you and your top friend keep that spot for 14 days. If you do that, boom—red heart.
Red Heart vs Other Snapchat Emojis
Snapchat emojis show different friendship levels. Here’s how the red heart compares.
💛 Yellow Heart
- Means: #1 best friends for 1 week
- You and your friend snap each other the most
- After one week of this, you get the yellow heart
❤️ Red Heart
- Means: #1 best friends for 2 weeks
- You’ve both kept snapping each other consistently
💕 Pink Hearts
- Means: #1 best friends for 2 months
- It’s the next step after the red heart
- You’ve stayed besties for 60 days straight
😊 Smiley Face
- Means: One of your best friends
- You snap them a lot, but not the most
These symbols show how strong or long your snap friendship is.
Upgrade path:
Yellow Heart → Red Heart → Pink Hearts
Just keep up the daily snaps.
Why Did the Red Heart Disappear?
It happens. Here’s why:
1. You Stopped Snapping
If you or your friend stop snapping each other, the red heart goes away.
2. Someone Else Became Your #1
Snapchat picks your top friend based on how much you interact. If you start snapping someone else more, they might take the top spot.
3. The Other Person Is More Active
Even if you’re consistent, your friend may snap others more. That shifts the balance.
4. The App Updated
Rare, but possible. Sometimes Snapchat updates can reset emoji tracking.
How to Keep the Red Heart on Snapchat
Want to keep that red heart? Follow these simple tips:
- Snap daily: Don’t skip a day. Keep the streak going.
- Make it mutual: Your friend has to snap back regularly.
- Avoid snapping too many others: Snapchat compares your activity with everyone.
- Use “Friend Emojis” settings: In settings, check your friend emoji list to track your status.
It’s all about balance and daily use.
Can You Customize or Change It?
Yes, Snapchat lets you change the emoji symbols.
Here’s how:
- Open Snapchat
- Tap your profile
- Go to Settings
- Select “Customize Emojis” or “Friend Emojis”
- Pick the emoji you want to replace and choose a new one
Pros
- You can personalize how your chats look
- Some people find red hearts too serious—they prefer something more fun
Cons
- You may forget what the emojis actually mean
- Others might not understand your custom symbols
Default settings are easier for tracking, but you can choose what suits you.
At The Social Trends, we explore the meaning behind such social media symbols—and why they matter in today’s digital life.
Is the Red Heart the Same for Both Users?
Yes. When you see the red heart, your friend sees it too. Snapchat keeps it in sync.
But here’s the catch: Both of you must be active.
If one person drops off, the heart can vanish.
Snapchat checks who you snap and how often. If the numbers line up, both of you get the same emoji.
What if only one person is snapping?
Then the red heart won’t appear. It’s a two-way street.
Red Heart Myths
Does it mean you’re dating?
No. It just means you’re best Snapchat friends. You might be dating—or just talking a lot.
Can you get it back if you lose it?
Yes. Just start snapping again and stay consistent for two weeks.
Do group chats affect it?
No. Only one-on-one snaps and chats count.
Can someone else see my red heart?
No. Friend emojis are only visible to you.
Is it tied to streaks?
Not directly. You can have a streak with someone and still not have a red heart. It’s about being top friends—not just having a streak.
Snapchat Emoji Change: What You Need to Know
Snapchat updates its emoji system from time to time. The Snapchat emoji list 2025 still uses hearts, flames, and faces to show friendship levels.
If your emoji suddenly changes, don’t panic. It just means your activity with that friend changed. Or Snapchat adjusted how they track it.
Always check the “Friend Emojis” section in settings for the current meaning.
Red Heart Snapchat Friends = Consistent Activity
It’s simple:
- Red heart = Two weeks of being each other’s #1
- It shows your most active Snap friendship
- You earn it through steady snaps and chats
Yellow Heart vs Red Heart on Snapchat
People often ask which one is “better.”
- Yellow heart = Good start (1 week)
- Red heart = Level up (2 weeks)
- Pink hearts = Elite status (2 months)
Red means you’ve gone beyond the casual snap. You’ve got consistency.
Looking for tips to increase your Snapchat engagement? Check out our article on the Best Time to Post on Social Media in 2025.
Red Heart vs Pink Hearts Snapchat
- Red = 2 weeks of being #1 best friends
- Pink = 2 months of being #1 best friends
- If you keep going past the red heart stage, Snapchat rewards you with pink hearts
Think of it like Snapchat’s loyalty program for friendships.
Snapchat Friendship Emojis Overview (2025)
| Emoji | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 😊 | One of your best friends |
| 💛 | #1 Best friend for 1 week |
| ❤️ | #1 Best friend for 2 weeks |
| 💕 | #1 Best friend for 2 months |
| 🔥 | Snapstreak – snapped for X days |
| ⌛ | Snapstreak is about to end |
| 😎 | You share a best friend |
| 😬 | Your #1 best friend is also theirs |
This list helps you track your relationships by activity—not feelings.
Final Thoughts
The red heart on Snapchat is a small but fun part of the app. It shows you’re snapping someone more than anyone else—and they’re doing the same.
It’s not about love. It’s not a relationship marker. It’s just a sign of strong Snap activity.
If you’re aiming for the pink hearts, the red heart is your halfway point. Keep snapping, keep chatting, and it will show up.
And if it disappears? No worries. You can always earn it back.
FAQs
Q: What does the red heart mean on Snapchat?
A: You and your friend have been each other’s #1 best friend for 2 weeks straight.
Q: How do I get the red heart on Snapchat?
A: Snap and chat with one person more than anyone else for two weeks.
Q: Can I change the red heart emoji?
A: Yes. You can customize it in Snapchat settings.
Q: Why did my red heart disappear?
A: You or your friend snapped someone else more, or you stopped snapping each other.
Q: Does the red heart mean we’re dating?
A: No. It just shows who you snap the most.
Q: Is the red heart the same on both sides?
A: Yes. Snapchat syncs it for both users
Best Time To Post On Social Media In 2025 - The Social Trends
July 9, 2025[…] TikTok is full of short, fun clips. Posts blow up fast if timed right. Early afternoons are peak. Teens and young adults scroll after school. Use trends and sounds to boost views. Test different days to find your best fit. If you’re also curious about how Snapchat ranks friendships, check out our post on Red Heart on Snapchat – What It Means and How to Get It. […]