Snapchat has become more than just a photo-sharing app—it’s a language of its own. If you’re an active Snapchat user, you’ve likely noticed various emojis appear next to your friends’ names. One of the most eye-catching among them is the yellow heart emoji 💛. But what does the yellow heart mean on Snapchat, and why does it appear next to some friends and not others?
In this article, we’ll break down the meaning behind the yellow heart emoji, how to get it, and what it says about your Snapchat friendship. We’ll also explore how it compares to other Snapchat emojis and what actions can change or remove it.
💛 What Does the Yellow Heart Mean on Snapchat?
On Snapchat, the yellow heart 💛 means that you and the other person are best friends on the app. Specifically, you send the most snaps to them, and they send the most snaps to you. It reflects a mutual, top-tier Snap friendship.
This status is Snapchat’s way of showing who your #1 Best Friend is—both ways.
If you’re seeing a yellow heart next to someone’s name, it means you’re each other’s most snapped friend for at least one day.
🧠 How Does Snapchat Decide Who Gets the Yellow Heart?
Snapchat uses an internal algorithm to analyze how frequently you interact with your friends ‘ snaps, chats, photos, and video messages.
To earn the yellow heart emoji:
You must send the most snaps to that person.
That person must also send the most snaps to you.
The mutual “best friend” status has to last at least 24 hours.
If either of you starts snapping someone else more often, the yellow heart may disappear or get replaced with a different emoji.
⏳ How Long Does the Yellow Heart Last?
There’s no fixed duration for how long the yellow heart stays. It can last for:
A single day (if you suddenly become best friends and then stop snapping)
Several weeks or even months (if you’re consistently each other’s #1)
Snapchat tracks your daily interactions, so the emoji can change as soon as your interaction habits shift.
💛➡️❤️ What Comes After the Yellow Heart?
The yellow heart is the first milestone in a Snapchat best friendship. If you and your best friend continue snapping each other for longer periods, you’ll unlock other friendship emojis:
| Emoji | Meaning | Duration Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 💛 Yellow Heart | #1 Best Friends (mutual) | 1+ day of highest snaps |
| ❤️ Red Heart | BFF – #1 Best Friends for 2 weeks | 2 weeks straight |
| 💕 Pink Hearts | Super BFF – #1 Best Friends for 2 months | 2 months straight |
The deeper your interaction, the more your friendship grows in Snapchat’s eyes!
😬 Can You Have Multiple Yellow Hearts?
No. You can only have one yellow heart emoji at a time, because it’s reserved for your #1 mutual best friend. While you may have several best friends on Snapchat (up to 8), the yellow heart is exclusive to the top person.
❌ How to Lose the Yellow Heart on Snapchat
If you suddenly notice the yellow heart emoji has disappeared, it could be due to a few reasons:
You or your friend started snapping someone else more.
You both reduced your interaction frequency.
Someone removed you or vice versa from their Snapchat contact list.
Snapchat’s emojis are constantly updating based on user behavior, so even a small change can affect your emoji status.
✅ How to Get the Yellow Heart Back
Want to regain that yellow heart? Here’s what to do:
Snap your best friend more frequently than anyone else.
Avoid snapping other friends too much—Snapchat compares your interactions.
Encourage your friend to do the same in return.
Be consistent over several days.
If both of you make an effort, the yellow heart emoji can return quickly and may even evolve into red or pink hearts.
🔁 Snapchat Emoji Meaning vs Other Terms
Snapchat isn’t just about emojis—users also come across cryptic abbreviations like NFS, NRS, and more. These terms, just like emojis, reflect how people interact on the platform.
If you’ve also wondered about those:
👉 Check out what NFS means on Snapchat
👉 Also read what NRS means on Snapchat
These guides will help you decode even more Snapchat lingo.
🟢 What About the Green Dot on Snapchat?
Sometimes, people notice a small green dot near a friend’s Bitmoji or profile. Unlike the yellow heart, which reflects friendship status, the green dot indicates activity.
Want to know more? 👉 Here’s a quick guide on what the green dot means on Snapchat.
🔍 Can You Control Snapchat Emojis?
Yes, Snapchat allows you to customize friend emojis based on your preferences:
Go to your profile > Tap the ⚙️ gear icon (Settings).
Scroll to “Customize Emojis” (under “Additional Services”).
Choose the emoji you want for “Best Friend” and change it.
This won’t affect your friend’s view—just how the emoji appears on your device.
📱 Bonus: Snapchat Emoji Glossary
Here’s a quick breakdown of Snapchat’s key friend emojis:
| Emoji | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 💛 | You’re #1 Best Friends (mutual) |
| ❤️ | #1 BFF for 2 weeks |
| 💕 | Super BFF – #1 for 2 months |
| 😊 | You’re one of their Best Friends |
| 😎 | You share a mutual Best Friend |
| 🔥 | Snapstreak – snapped each other daily |
| ⏳ | Snapstreak about to end |
| 😬 | You share a best friend, but not mutual one |
Conclusion
The yellow heart on Snapchat is a symbol of digital closeness. It means you and another person are each other’s most snapped friend, at least for a day. It can be fun to earn, a little sad to lose, but always a great indicator of your Snapchat friendship ranking.
If you value your streaks or BFF status, the yellow heart is just the beginning. Stay consistent with your favorite friend, and you might just unlock the coveted red and pink hearts, too!
FAQs – Yellow Heart on Snapchat
Q1. Can the yellow heart turn into a red heart?
Yes! If you stay mutual #1 Best Friends for two weeks, the yellow heart turns into a red heart ❤️.
Q2. Why did my yellow heart disappear overnight?
This usually happens when either you or your friend starts snapping at someone else more often.
Q3. Can I get a yellow heart back after losing it?
Absolutely! Start snapping each other frequently again and the emoji will reappear soon.
Q4. Is the yellow heart visible to both friends?
Yes. If you have a yellow heart with someone, they see it too.
Q5. Can I fake a yellow heart using third-party apps?
No. Snapchat’s emoji system is based on real interaction, and using third-party apps can risk your account being banned.
