Where to find and change your streak emoji
The emoji that appears next to a friend's name on Snapchat to show your streak is set in your friendship settings with that person. To change it, open Snapchat and find the friend whose streak emoji you want to change. Long-press their name in your chat list or friends list until a menu appears, then tap "Friendship Profile" or the gear icon (depending on your Snapchat version).
Once you're in the friendship settings, look for the section showing your current streak emoji — it usually appears near the top with your snap streak number. Tap on the emoji itself to open the emoji picker. Select any emoji you want to replace it with, and the change takes effect when ready.
The emoji you choose is visible only to you and your friend — it does not change what other people see when they look at your friendship. Both of you can set different emojis for the same streak if you want.
Key Takeaways
- Long-press a friend's name in your chat or friends list, then open their Friendship Profile to access streak emoji settings.
- Tap the current emoji next to the streak number to open the emoji picker and choose a replacement.
- The emoji you set is visible to both you and that friend, but each of you can choose a different one for the same streak.
- Streak emojis change automatically based on Snapchat's default rules if you do not manually set one, so choosing your own keeps it consistent.
- You can change your streak emoji as many times as you want without affecting the streak itself or your snap history.
What happens if you do not set a custom emoji
Snapchat assigns default emojis to streaks automatically based on how long your streak has lasted and other factors in your friendship. The fire emoji typically marks an active streak, and a hundred emoji appears when you hit 100 days. If you do not manually choose an emoji, Snapchat will rotate through these defaults.
Setting your own emoji overrides the default system, so your chosen emoji stays in place regardless of how long the streak lasts. This is useful if you want a specific emoji to represent that friendship or if you prefer consistency over Snapchat's automatic changes.
Emoji options and what they mean to you
Snapchat lets you pick any emoji from your phone's emoji keyboard. There is no restriction on which ones you can use — you can choose something that matches the friendship, an inside joke, or just an emoji you like. Popular choices include hearts, stars, or custom emojis that mean something specific to you and that friend.
Keep in mind that the emoji you choose is purely visual and does not affect how the streak works or how Snapchat tracks your snaps. It is a personal customization that only you and your friend see, so you can change it whenever you want without any consequences.
Changing the emoji on different Snapchat versions
The steps are slightly different depending on whether you use Snapchat on iPhone or Android, and the interface has changed over time as Snapchat updates its app. On both platforms, the core method is the same: long-press the friend's name and look for friendship settings or a profile option.
If you cannot find the emoji picker in your friendship settings, check that you are running the latest version of Snapchat. Open your device's app store, search for Snapchat, and install any available updates. Older versions of the app may not have the emoji customization feature or may place it in a different location.
Removing or resetting your custom emoji
To go back to Snapchat's default emoji system, open the friendship settings again and tap the custom emoji you set. Instead of choosing a new emoji, look for a "remove" or "reset" option in the emoji picker. This returns the emoji to Snapchat's automatic assignment based on your streak length.
You can also straightforward choose a different custom emoji at any time — there is no limit to how often you can change it. If you want to match Snapchat's defaults again, the reset option is the cleanest way, but switching to a new custom emoji works just as well.
Troubleshooting if the emoji will not change
If you tap the emoji and nothing happens, or the picker does not appear, try closing Snapchat completely and opening it again. Force-close the app by swiping it away from your recent apps (on most phones), then reopen it and try the same steps.
If the problem continues, check that you have the latest version of Snapchat installed. Go to your app store, search for Snapchat, and update if a newer version is available. You can also try logging out of Snapchat, closing the app, and logging back in — this sometimes fixes settings that are stuck or not responding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my friend see the emoji I chose for our streak?
Yes, your friend can see the emoji you set. Both of you see the same emoji next to your streak number in your friendship profile. However, your friend can also set a different emoji if they want — each of you controls what you see in your own view of the friendship.
Does changing the emoji affect my streak?
No. Changing the emoji does not affect your streak in any way. The streak counter, the days you have snapped, and your snap history all stay the same. The emoji is purely a visual customization.
What if I want to use an emoji that is not on my keyboard?
Snapchat's emoji picker shows all the emojis available on your phone. If an emoji is not in the picker, it is not available through Snapchat's system. You can only choose from the emojis your device supports.
Can I set different emojis for different streaks with the same friend?
No. You have one streak with each friend, and it has one emoji. If you want to change it, you replace the current emoji with a new one — you cannot have multiple emojis for the same streak.
Will the emoji change back if I do not open Snapchat for a while?
No. Your custom emoji stays in place as long as you do not manually change it. It does not reset or revert to defaults based on time or inactivity. The only way it changes is if you choose a different emoji or reset it yourself.