How to Hide Snapchat Plus: The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve bitten the bullet and subscribed to Snapchat Plus, enjoying all those juicy exclusive features. But maybe you’re not quite ready for everyone on your friend list to know about your premium status. Perhaps you want to keep a low profile, avoid the extra attention, or just maintain a bit of mystery. Whatever your reason, the burning question is: How do you hide your Snapchat Plus badge from prying eyes?

Unfortunately, the direct answer is a bit disappointing: You currently cannot directly hide your Snapchat Plus badge from all users. Snapchat doesn’t offer a built-in setting to make your subscription invisible. However, there are workarounds and strategies you can employ to minimize its visibility and manage who sees it. This guide will walk you through those options, shedding light on the nuances of Snapchat Plus privacy.

Understanding the Snapchat Plus Badge

Before diving into strategies, let’s quickly recap what this badge actually is. The Snapchat Plus badge is a visual indicator that appears next to your username in certain areas of the app, such as your profile and chat list. It serves as a signal to your friends that you’re a Snapchat Plus subscriber and have access to exclusive features. The visual representation of this badge can change over time, with Snapchat experimenting with different icons and placements.

Workarounds and Strategies for Minimizing Visibility

While you can’t completely erase the badge for everyone, you can take steps to control who sees it. Think of it as selective camouflage, not total invisibility.

1. Mindful Story Privacy

This is perhaps the most straightforward approach. If you’re concerned about broadcasting your subscription to a wide audience, carefully manage your story privacy settings.

• Friends Only: Setting your story to “Friends Only” means only people you’ve added as friends will see your badge next to your name on the story viewers list. This is the default setting and generally the safest if you’re aiming for discreetness.
• Custom Story: For even tighter control, create a Custom Story. This allows you to select specific individuals who can view your story. Those not on your custom story list won’t see the badge associated with your name when viewing it. This is useful if you have a large friends list and want to share content with a smaller, trusted group.

2. Direct Snap Conversations

In direct snap conversations, the badge’s visibility is less prominent. It usually only appears on your profile, which others only access if they tap on your username. This makes individual chats a relatively private space, minimizing the chance of your subscription being openly displayed.

3. Avoiding Public Profiles

If you have a public profile, consider switching back to a standard, private profile. Public profiles are designed for broader visibility, and they often showcase your Snapchat Plus features more openly. By opting for a private profile, you limit the exposure of your badge to your existing friend network only. This is a significant step if you’re prioritizing privacy.

4. Manage Friend Requests Carefully

Be selective about accepting friend requests. Every new friend you add increases the potential audience who will see your Snapchat Plus badge. Regularly review your friend list and remove anyone you’re no longer actively interacting with or comfortable sharing your subscription status with.

5. Stay Updated with Snapchat Updates

Snapchat is constantly evolving. Keep a close eye on app updates and patch notes. It’s possible that future updates might introduce more granular privacy controls for Snapchat Plus, including the ability to hide the badge entirely. Following Snapchat’s official channels and tech news outlets is crucial to stay informed.

6. Limited Usage of Plus Exclusive Features

This is a less ideal workaround, but worth mentioning. Some features of Snapchat Plus are inherently attention-grabbing. Features like priority story replies or custom app icons might inadvertently hint at your subscription. If you’re really trying to stay under the radar, minimize your usage of these more conspicuous perks.

The Reality of Imperfect Privacy

It’s crucial to understand that these are workarounds, not guarantees of complete invisibility. Dedicated users who are particularly curious could potentially deduce your subscription through other means (like observing your use of exclusive filters or features over time). Accept that achieving absolute secrecy is difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions surrounding Snapchat Plus and privacy, to provide an even deeper understanding.

1. Will Snapchat ever add an option to completely hide the Snapchat Plus badge?

It’s impossible to say for sure. Snapchat’s decisions are driven by user feedback and their overall business strategy. Voice your desire for this feature to Snapchat through their official feedback channels. The more users request it, the higher the likelihood they might consider it in future updates.

2. Does blocking someone hide my Snapchat Plus badge from them?

Yes, blocking someone will prevent them from seeing your profile, stories, and therefore, your Snapchat Plus badge. However, this is a drastic measure and should only be used when necessary for privacy or security reasons.

3. If I cancel Snapchat Plus, will the badge disappear immediately?

Yes, once your Snapchat Plus subscription is cancelled and your account reverts to the standard free version, the badge will disappear immediately. The visual indicator is directly tied to your active subscription.

4. Can I choose which friends can see my badge and which cannot?

Unfortunately, no. Snapchat doesn’t offer a granular setting that allows you to selectively show or hide the badge from individual friends. Your only options are the broader privacy settings for your stories and profile.

5. Does the Snapchat Plus badge appear in group chats?

The visibility of the badge in group chats mirrors that of direct chats. It mainly appears on your profile if someone taps on your username within the group chat. It is not displayed next to every message you send in the group.

6. Does the Snapchat Plus badge appear next to my name in Snap Map?

No, the Snapchat Plus badge does not appear next to your name on the Snap Map. Your location is displayed as usual, without any indication of your subscription status.

7. Are there any third-party apps or tools that can hide the Snapchat Plus badge?

Avoid using third-party apps or tools that claim to hide the Snapchat Plus badge. These apps are often unreliable, potentially malicious, and may violate Snapchat’s terms of service, leading to account suspension or permanent ban. Your privacy and security are best protected by staying within the official Snapchat app.

8. Does Snapchat notify my friends when I subscribe to Snapchat Plus?

No, Snapchat does not send notifications to your friends when you subscribe to Snapchat Plus. The only way they would know is if they see the badge on your profile or in other areas of the app.

9. Will using a VPN affect the visibility of my Snapchat Plus badge?

No, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) will not affect the visibility of your Snapchat Plus badge. A VPN changes your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, but it does not alter your Snapchat settings or account information.

10. How often does the Snapchat Plus badge design change?

The design of the Snapchat Plus badge is subject to change at Snapchat’s discretion. They often experiment with different icons and visual elements as part of their ongoing development and testing. There is no set schedule for these changes.

11. If I have Snapchat Plus, can others tell if I’ve viewed their story multiple times?

Snapchat Plus offers features like story rewind, but it doesn’t expose viewing data to the story poster beyond what’s normally visible. They won’t know if you’ve rewatched their story unless they have Snapchat Plus and the “story rewatch” feature is activated on their end, which only shows the number of people who rewathced the story, not specific usernames.

12. Does Snapchat support team see whether I have snapchat plus?

Yes, Snapchat’s internal systems and support team would be able to see whether you have an active Snapchat Plus subscription, as this is part of their account management and billing information. However, this information is typically only accessed for support purposes or account-related issues.

By implementing these strategies and staying informed, you can successfully navigate the privacy landscape of Snapchat Plus and maintain the level of discretion you desire. Remember to prioritize your account security and avoid any risky third-party solutions. Ultimately, being mindful of your settings and online behavior is key to controlling your online presence.