An Ultimate Guide To What Does Hourglass Mean On Snapchat And Much More!
Snap Inc., the company behind the multimedia instant messaging (IM) platform Snapchat, is so quick to bring in changes to its app that it can be difficult to keep up, even if you’re Snapchat’s hardcore user.
Therefore, we have produced this guide to make things easier for you. We’ll answer today: What does hourglass mean on Snapchat? Read on to know the answer.
Snapchat – An overview
Snapchat is a popular instant messaging service accessible for both Android and iOS smartphones. Snap (as the users commonly refer to it) is the app’s informal name.
One of the key highlights of the platform is that every picture, video, or message – aka snap – you send by default is only exposed to the recipient for a short time (set by the sender) before becoming unavailable.
Initially, the app’s fleeting or temporary nature was meant to foster a more voluntary involvement flow.
What is a Snapchat streak, also known as a Snapstreak?
Snapchat streaks or Snapstreaks is an important feature that keeps users engaged with the messaging app. This feature entered the market on April 6th, 2015, and has helped the application build a devoted following worldwide.
In layman’s terms, streaks refer to the number of days two people have sent snaps to each other without breaking the chain.
Furthermore, each day they send a snap, their streak lengthens. Thus, Snapchat streaks can also be viewed as a measure of your interaction with a particular Snapchat user.
The longest Snapchat streak recorded as of February 2022 is 2478+ days between Daniel and Robin.
A Snapstreak begins when you send or receive Snaps to a contact or friend on the app. To recognize an active Snapstreak, look for the fire (🔥) emoji next to your name on the chat screen.
The number adjacent to the fire emoji keeps increasing and represents the number of days the Snap Streak has been active for.
To maintain a Snapstreak, you must send and receive photographs and video (or snaps) from your pals at least once within 24 hours. If you don’t, the Snapstreak will be lost.
Snapchat has made it plain that only two interactions count towards Snapstreaks. These are photos and videos.
That’s all there is to it. It’s worth noting that the snap should be sent directly from Snapchat’s camera interface. Sending a snap from your camera roll or Memories tab will not contribute to your Snapstreak.
To some, Snapstreaks may seem quite pointless, but that is not the case. Maintaining a Snapchat streak allows you to stay up with your friends’ hectic schedules.
Another advantage is that you’ll be raising your Snapchat score by maintaining these streaks. Also, there are several rewards in the form of Snapchat trophies that you can unlock as you stretch your streak.
How to kick off a streak on Snapchat?
You and your friend must send snaps to each other for at least 3 consecutive days to kick off a streak on Snapchat.
After the third day, a fire (🔥) emoji with a number next to your and your friend’s username will display, indicating how many days you’ve been on a streak.
Here are some step-by-step instructions to help you get started with a streak.
- Ask your friend to start a streak
- Send a snap of either a photo or video clip
- Inform your friend in the chatbox about the snap
- Repeat the procedure every day for the next two days to start the streak
We’ll discuss these four steps in detail below.
1. Ask your friend to start a streak
Before you can begin a streak on Snapchat, you must first request it, otherwise, the other person will be unsure if you want to begin it or not. Alternatively, you can also just let things happen organically.
There are 3 ways to request a streak.
Firstly, to begin, you can send a message requesting it. “Do you want to start a streak?” for instance, is one of the excellent questions to ask.
This is effective if you’re already friends with the person or know them well. Furthermore, if you explicitly ask the person, they will be more dedicated to the streak if they agree.
They can, however, refuse the offer if they so desire. You shouldn’t be disheartened if someone declines to start a streak because they don’t use Snapchat frequently. In such situations, find friends who are highly active on the platform and willing to join you.
The second method is to include a story with the question, “Streaks?”. This is a very effective method to ask everyone you know if they want to start a streak. This way, you don’t have to send individual messages. If they do, they will be able to respond directly to your story.
If they don’t, there’s no need for them to react with a “no” because they can simply disregard your story.
This is a gentler approach to requesting a streak because including it in your story allows people to respond as they see fit.
Finally, you can begin a streak on your own. This is one of the most difficult ways to begin a streak because both partners must send each other a snap daily without one bringing it up.
To use this approach, you must either send a snap or wait for them to send one to you. If you send them a snap and they responded with one, do the same the next day.
When the person does not snap back, it suggests they aren’t interested in starting a streak, or they aren’t sure if they want to start one.
2. Send a snap of either a photo or video clip
After you’ve found someone who wants to start a Snapchat streak with you, you should send them a snap. You can send them a photo or a video clip. Send them a snap using the following method:
- Launch Snapchat on your device
- Tap the camera icon to take a video or photo
- Select “Send To”
- Choose the individual to whom you wish to send the snap. (You can also select multiple users).
- When the snap is sent, a red arrow with the status “Delivered” will appear.
- When the person opens the snap, the status “Opened” appears.
- A snap can be replayed once. If the user replays the snap, you’ll see the message “X replayed your snap!” underneath it. Then, wait for them to respond.
Note: Snaps only function if you send a photo or video rather than a text message.
3. Inform your friend in the chatbox about the snap
Next, you must wait for them to respond with a snap. What we suggest is to send a quick text message in the chatbox and ask them directly to respond upon viewing it.
As aforementioned, the streak can only work if both partners send a photo/video snap to each other for three days in a row.
So, if the other person did not respond with a snap, the streak would not begin. Furthermore, if one person forgets to send a snap before the third day finishes, the streak must be restarted.
In other words, both sides must toil again for three days in a row. So, before you begin a streak with someone, you must be fully committed to it.
4. Repeat the procedure every day for the next two days to start the streak
After you’ve snapped at each other for more than three days in a row, a fire emoji with a number will appear beside your username. To keep the Snapstreak going, you must snap at each other every day.
For example, if the status (15🔥) is present next to your username, it implies you’ve been on a Snapstreak with the other user for 15 days in a row.
If the fire emoji vanishes after 3+ days, the streak has been broken and must be restarted. However, if you believe your streak was terminated due to any technical error, you can contact Snapchat support to reclaim it.
After you’ve snapped at each other for three days in a row, you’ll want to repeat the process for as many days as possible.
Some individuals have been on a Snapstreak for hundreds of days (which requires a ton of commitment).
What does hourglass (⏳) mean on Snapchat?
The hourglass (⏳) icon functions similarly to a countdown timer on Snapchat. The company introduced this indicator to alert users that their Snapstreak with another user is close to expiring and they need to take action to ensure that the streak continues.
It’s simply a warning symbol that your performance is slipping and that you need to step up your Snapchat game so that the hourglass icon can be replaced by the fire icon.
The hourglass emoji vanishes shortly after you deliver a fresh Snap to keep the Snapstreak going.
If you see an hourglass emoji next to your name on Snapchat, it signifies you have about 4 hours to send or receive a Snap (photo or video) to keep the Snapstreak alive.
What does the 100 (💯) emoji next to a Snapstreak represent?
The hundred (💯) emoji on Snapchat denotes a Snapstreak that has lasted for 100 days in a row. This emoji appears next to your and your friend’s name on Snapchat and disappears the next day.
The hundred emoji replaces the standard streak emoji (🔥). However, it’s worth noting that this emoji will only appear on the 100th day. When the Snapstreak reaches the 101st day, the default fire emoji will be back.
Quick strategies to maintain a Snapstreak
Now that you’ve established a Snapstreak, here are a few tips to help you keep it going for as long as possible.
1. Concentrate on the folks with whom you usually interact
It’s pointless to try to start a rapid streak with someone with whom you rarely communicate. Sure, it’s possible, but there’s a good chance the person will lose interest.
Remember that the first several weeks are the most difficult, but, when you reach a certain number of consecutive days, both players invest in the game, and it becomes simpler.
The simplest method to overcome the initial barrier is to begin Snapstreaks with people you already spend a lot of photos with.
2. Make use of blank photos
You don’t have to send high-quality pictures to keep the streak going. Instead, snap a blank photo and add the words “Streak” to the caption.
You can use the same image every day and your score will continue to rise. It’s one of the most basic Snapchat streak hacks available.
3. Keep to a specific time of day
In general, it’s better to begin your Snapstreaks later in the day, especially if you only want to send one snap every day.
This will cause you to see the hourglass emoji for a few hours before your time runs out.
However, for early birds, one of the most convenient times to send your snaps is right after you get up. You could even set a reminder as part of your alarm. You should utilize whichever method works best for you.
4. Reorganize your contact list
Some of your Snapstreaks may have occurred with people you do not consider to be your greatest friends.
As a result, they will not appear on Snapchat’s best friends list. Renaming your contacts is the solution to this problem. Snapchat allows you to rename any of your friends to help you remember who they are.
To alter a friend’s name or begin a conversation with them, hit the Menu symbol in the upper left-hand corner and select Edit Name. When choosing a new name, add ‘Aaa” as the prefix. The name will be pinned to the top of your list as a result.
5. Examine your filters
You may forget who you’re in a Snapstreak with sometimes, especially if you’re juggling multiple Snapstreaks at once. Fortunately, there is a way to view your streaks without having to go through your list of pals.
If you’re preparing to send a new snap, you’ll see a special Snapchat Streak filter. This will display the number of consecutive days you have accumulated in large white numbers alongside the flame emoji.
What does not count towards a Snapstreak?
Snapstreaks do not occur with any of the below-mentioned modes of interaction on the app.
1. Text messages
Messages, unfortunately, do not count. Generally, you don’t send snaps while you communicate with people. As a result, that is a distinct interaction.
If you contact someone several times throughout 24 hours without sharing a picture or video, your streak will stop. Emojis and stickers do not count as snaps for your streak either.
2. Group interaction
Next, Snapchat does not credit any group interactions toward your streak. If you have a Snapstreak with another user and you’re both members of the same group, sending a snap to that group will not affect the streak. Continue snapping directly to your friend to keep the flames burning.
3. Memories
Sometimes, Snapchat may occasionally select a memory from your collection for you to share with a friend. Even though it’s a picture, it does not count as a fresh snap and thus does not contribute to your Snap streak.
4. Stories
When you post a story, you create a snap. However, this snap does not qualify. Everyone can see it, including your pal. If Snapstreak counted stories, you’d probably have a fire emoji next.
5. Snapchat Spectacles
Snapchat Spectacles are still available, and if you use them occasionally, you should be aware that they do not contribute to your streak.
How can you remove the hourglass (⏳) emoji from Snapchat?
When you see an hourglass (⏳) emoji next to the name of the buddy you’re on the streak with, know that you have about 4 hours left to send or receive a snap from that specific friend before your current streak with them ends. Once you send them a snap, the hourglass emoji vanishes.
What should you do if the hourglass (⏳) icon comes even though you maintain a Snapstreak?
There have been a few instances where the hourglass icon appears and then the lit/fire icon disappears, despite the users honestly maintaining their Snapstreak. In this case, it’s recommended to contact Snapchat support and notify them of the issue.
The Snapchat support staff will resolve your issue so that the hourglass icon no longer appears next to your profile and the flame icon returns.
If you believe your Snapstreak has expired but you haven’t missed a day, contact Snapchat support and you may be able to reclaim it.
- On your device, launch the Snapchat app
- Navigate to Settings and scroll down to the Supports section
- Select “I Need Help”
- Select Snapstreaks
- In the “What if my Snapstreak has vanished”, select “Let us know”
- Now, click on “My Snapstreak has vanished”
Now, let the Snapchat team take over from there and get back your streak. However, make sure you don’t contact them if your streak has been broken.
The Final Words…
To increase user involvement, the world’s top social networks employ a range of strategies. In general, the Snapchat feature called streaks can be regarded as a virtual relationship addiction system.
Snapchat streak is merely a method of remaining loyal to the Snapchat app.
Remember that Snapchat simply provides a better way to share experiences with your pals and keeps you in touch daily. Tweens and teens, on the other hand, take these snap streaks seriously.
For them, snapping back and forth is a habit. So, you may be wondering if Snapchat is safe for your children. You may utilize parental control tools like fenced.ai to see if your children are in danger when using Snapchat.
This informative guide will surely help you answer the question – what does hourglass mean on Snapchat? We recommend that you use this feature as a fun way to keep in touch instead of stressing over breaking a streak.
