What does X mean on Snapchat?
Snapchat’s X feature is causing a stir online, but the feature is more useful than some may think.
Published on August 20, 2024, 3:54 p.m. ET
If you’re a seasoned Snapchat user or have just stumbled upon the social media app, you might be a little confused. Known for its disappearing messages and playful filters, the social media app has captivated millions of users worldwide since its launch in 2011. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Snapchat emphasizes real-time communication, with one twist: Most of the content shared on Snapchat is designed to disappear after viewing.
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Snapchat’s core feature is the “Snap,” a photo or video taken with the app’s camera. Users can enhance their Snaps with text, drawings, stickers and filters before sending them to friends or adding them to their “Story,” a collection of Snaps that is visible for 24 hours. Once a Snap is viewed and disappears, it cannot be viewed again unless it is part of a Story.
Now there’s a new “X” feature that’s confusing even the most experienced Snapchatters. Here’s what Snapchat’s X means for app users.
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Snapchat’s X feature is designed to help users.
Snapchat’s unique combination of disappearing messages, creative tools, and real-time interaction has made it a popular choice for users. Now, a new feature is set to give internet users even more control over their app experience. In 2024, users began noticing an X next to certain names on the platform. And while the feature initially sparked concerns, it has ultimately proven to be a way to identify your friends on the app.
The X icon simply indicates that you are not friends with the person whose name it appears next to. It can also appear when someone has unfriended you or when their friend request to you is pending. Users usually see this icon in the chat area where all your conversations are listed.
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To remove the X icon on Snapchat, you can either block the person, which will delete the icon along with the entire chat, or you can add the person as a friend. The X icon usually appears when you are not friends with someone or when they have a pending friend request. If you add the person to your friends list, the icon will disappear and be replaced with a camera icon once they accept your request.
Snapchat users have confused the X with another feature.
Contrary to popular belief, the X icon on Snapchat does not mean that a user has been blocked. When someone blocks you, your chat with that person is automatically deleted from your chat list, so the X icon cannot appear next to their name. This has confused some users who still have mixed feelings about the new feature.
