Snapchat’s fun icons and emoji-like symbols add more than just flair to your conversations—they actually carry meaning. One icon that often leaves users curious is the green dot, which sometimes appears next to Bitmojis or profiles
So what does the green dot on Snapchat actually mean? Whether you’re spotting it on a friend’s profile or in the Quick Add section, here’s everything you need to know.
What Does the Green Dot on Snapchat Indicate?
The green dot on Snapchat is a status indicator. It tells you that the user is currently active or was recently active on the app. Think of it as Snapchat’s quiet way of saying, “Hey, this person is around and might reply if you message them.”
You’ll usually see it in two places:
- Beside someone’s Bitmoji in the Add Friends screen.
- Next to a friend’s name when you view their profile.
It’s Snapchat’s nudge to help you connect when someone’s likely to be online.
Is the Green Dot a Sign They’re Active Right Now?
Not necessarily. While Snapchat doesn’t specify an exact timeframe, the green dot typically indicates the person has been active within the past 24 hours. It doesn’t confirm they’re using the app at that exact moment, but it signals they’re not far away.
So, if you’re looking to start a streak or send a Snap, the green dot suggests they might be quick to respond.
Why is Snapchat Showing a Green Dot on My Profile?
Snapchat adds the green dot as part of your activity status. It helps friends see when you’re around, just like you can see theirs.
Some users might feel concerned about privacy—but the green dot doesn’t reveal any sensitive data. It simply shows if you’ve been on Snapchat recently.
Can You Hide or Turn Off the Green Dot on Snapchat?
Yes! If you’d rather keep your activity private, you can disable the green dot with just a few taps.
How to turn off the Activity Indicator:
- Open the Snapchat app.
- Tap your Bitmoji to access your profile.
- Tap the gear icon in the top right (Settings).
- Scroll to the Privacy Controls section.
- Tap Activity Indicator and toggle it off.
That’s it! Your green dot won’t appear on others’ screens anymore.
Pro Tip: Use Ghost Mode on Snapchat to Hide Your Location Too
While turning off the green dot helps, Snapchat also shows your live location in Snap Map unless you’ve enabled Ghost Mode. To stay fully off the grid:
- Open Snapchat and tap the Location Pin icon at the bottom left corner to access the Snap Map.
- Tap the Settings icon (top right).
- Toggle on Ghost Mode.
- You can also choose to share your location with select friends only.
Bonus: What’s the Green Battery Icon on Snap Map?
Apart from the green dot, Snapchat also displays a green battery icon under your friend’s Bitmoji on Snap Map. It means they’re currently active on Snapchat and their phone has enough charge to keep running the app.
This feature is another layer of real-time interactivity Snapchat is known for—but it’s optional too.
Green Dot on Snapchat: Explained and Controlled
The green dot can be a helpful way to see who’s around and possibly ready to chat. But if you’re not a fan of that visibility, Snapchat gives you full control to turn it off. You can enjoy Snapchat your way—whether you’re all about connecting or prefer to stay more private.
FAQs
The green dot usually remains visible for about 10–15 minutes after someone was last active, but it can stay up to 24 hours depending on Snapchat’s internal settings.
No, the green dot just shows recent activity. You’ll only see the “Typing…” indicator in chat when they’re actively typing a message.
Snapchat Plus users have a star icon next to their name and get access to exclusive features like custom app icons and Ghost Trails.
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