Decoding the Dreaded “X” on Snapchat: A User’s Guide

Seeing an “X” next to a friend’s name on Snapchat can be a tiny digital dagger. In short, it means that you are no longer friends with that person on the platform. This could be because they have removed you, or you have removed them. Regardless of who initiated it, the connection has been severed, at least digitally. Let’s dive into the nuances of this social media symbol and what it really means.

Understanding the Snapchat Interface

Snapchat, unlike some other social media platforms, is heavily reliant on its visual interface and coded symbols. Knowing what each icon signifies is crucial for navigating the app effectively and interpreting its signals correctly.

The Snapchat Friend List

Your Snapchat friend list is where you manage your connections. When everything is functioning normally, you’ll see names, possibly Bitmojis, and indications of recent activity. However, when an “X” appears, it’s a clear indicator of a change in your relationship with that person.

Interpreting Other Snapchat Icons

Before we deep-dive into the “X,” let’s briefly touch upon other essential icons on Snapchat:

• Sent Snap: Typically indicated by a solid colored arrow, it shows you’ve sent a Snap to someone. The color will change depending on the type of snap (photo or video).
• Received Snap: Often a solid colored square, this signifies someone has sent you a Snap.
• Opened Snap: Indicated by an empty arrow or square (matching the color of the send/received snap), it means the recipient has viewed the Snap.
• Pending Friend Request: A plus sign (+) or a yellow dot usually indicates a pending friend request.

Understanding these symbols provides crucial context when interpreting the “X”.

The Significance of the “X”

The “X” is a direct and unambiguous indicator of a removed friendship. There are two possible scenarios:

1. They Removed You: This means the other person went into their Snapchat, found your profile, and tapped the option to remove you from their friends list.
2. You Removed Them: Similarly, you may have actively chosen to remove that person from your friend list.

Regardless of the cause, the end result is the same: you are no longer connected as friends on Snapchat. You will no longer see their stories or be able to send them snaps directly, unless they have their privacy settings set to allow anyone to contact them.

What Happens After the “X” Appears?

Once the “X” is in place, several things change:

• No More Snaps: You can no longer send snaps directly to that person, nor will you receive snaps from them.
• Story Visibility: You can no longer view their Snapchat stories (if they are set to “Friends Only”).
• Best Friends List: You will no longer be included in each other’s “Best Friends” list.
• Snap Map Restrictions: Unless they have public settings enabled, you won’t be able to see their location on the Snap Map.

Is There a Difference Between “Removed” and “Blocked”?

Yes, there’s a significant difference. Removing someone simply ends the friendship. You can still potentially find their profile (if it’s public or if you share mutual friends) and send them a friend request again. Blocking someone, on the other hand, prevents all interaction. If you block someone, they cannot see your profile, send you snaps, or find you in search. The “X” only indicates removal, not a block.

How to Tell if You’ve Been Blocked

While the “X” indicates removal, you can infer a block if:

• You can no longer find their profile, even if you search their exact username.
• If you are able to find the user, their Snapchat score won’t load.
• A mutual friend informs you that they can still see the person’s profile, while you cannot.

Coping with the Digital Disconnect

Discovering you’ve been unfriended on Snapchat can be disheartening, especially if you were close to the person. Remember that social media relationships don’t always reflect real-life dynamics. There could be various reasons why someone removed you, ranging from a simple spring cleaning of their friends list to a personal issue. It’s often best not to overthink it.

FAQs About the “X” on Snapchat

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the meaning of the “X” and related Snapchat functionalities:

1. Can someone remove me from their Snapchat without me knowing?

Yes, absolutely. Snapchat doesn’t send notifications when someone removes you. The “X” is the only visual cue you’ll get.

2. If I remove someone on Snapchat, will they know?

No, Snapchat doesn’t notify users when they’ve been removed. They’ll only realize it if they notice the absence of your stories or try to send you a Snap.

3. Can I still see someone’s Snap Score after they remove me?

Generally, no. Once the friendship is severed, you can no longer see their Snap Score unless their account is public.

4. If I re-add someone after they removed me, will our Snap Streaks be restored?

Unfortunately, no. Snap Streaks are broken when a friendship is removed. Re-adding the person will start a new streak.

5. Does the “X” mean they reported me?

No, the “X” simply indicates the end of the friendship. Reporting someone is a separate process and doesn’t automatically result in an “X.”

6. Can I still see our chat history after being removed?

If you’ve saved any messages in the chat, they may still be visible. However, any unsaved snaps or messages will likely disappear after a period of time.

7. If I block someone, will they see an “X” next to my name?

Blocking someone will prevent them from finding you, so they won’t even see an “X” next to your name because you won’t appear on their friends list anymore. It’s more like you’ve vanished from their Snapchat universe.

8. Is there a way to see who removed me on Snapchat?

Snapchat doesn’t provide a feature to explicitly see who removed you. You’ll only notice the “X” next to a specific contact.

9. If someone deactivates their Snapchat account, will I see an “X” next to their name?

Yes, a deactivated account will likely appear with an “X” or disappear altogether from your friend list.

10. Can I remove someone from Snapchat without them knowing immediately?

Yes, the person will only realize you removed them when they try to interact with you, or notice they can no longer see your stories.

11. If I have someone blocked, and then unblock them, will they automatically be re-added to my friends list?

No, unblocking someone doesn’t automatically re-add them. You’ll need to send them a new friend request.

12. If someone’s account is private, and I remove them, can I still view their profile if I search their username?

No, even if you know their username, you will not be able to view their profile if their account is set to private. You will only be able to view it if you re-add them as a friend or if their account is public.

Navigating the intricacies of Snapchat symbols like the “X” is crucial for understanding your relationships within the app. It’s a reminder that social media connections are dynamic and subject to change. Don’t dwell too much on the “X”; focus on nurturing genuine connections, both online and offline.