What Does the Hourglass on Snapchat Mean?

Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app that hit the mobile app stores in 2011. It quickly became popular, maintaining 375 million daily active users. The app’s popularity is due to its pioneering of disappearing content called Snaps, or what we now call stories.

Alongside its Snaps, Snapchat has many iconic features; most are emojis. One of these is the hourglass symbol. If you’re unfamiliar with the app, this emoji serves a specific purpose.

Learn more about what the hourglass means on Snapchat, its difference with the flame emoji, Snapstreaks, and practical tips on maintaining a streak. Keep reading to start learning.

Snapstreak: What Does The Fire Emoji Mean on Snapchat?

Before understanding what the hourglass means on Snapchat, you should know what Snapstreak is. On Snapchat, emojis play an important role in how the app functions and are not just characters you use for posts and texting.

Snapstreak is the flame emoji (🔥) you see next to your friend's username on Snapchat. It symbolizes the flame you and your friend maintain as you keep your conversation alive.

To learn how Snapstreak works, read the next part on how it starts.

How To Start a Snapstreak on Snapchat?

Snapstreaks serve as the heartbeat of social media connections on Snapchat. To start a Snapstreak, both users must send each other snaps (photos or videos) within 24 hours.

Once it begins, you must consistently send each other snaps within 24 hours to keep the streak alive. It will continue to count the days from then on, which you'll see on the number beside the streak. 

If 24 hours pass without a snap with your friend, the Snapstreak disappears, and you must start again. 

This trendy feature spices up friendships users build on Snapchat, which explains why many people use the platform.

Snapstreaks create a sense of accomplishment for users, making them more eager to maintain a conversation between friends. This feature has also become a signature part of Snapchat. 

However, sometimes, Snapchat won't count your message as a Snapstreak. Let's find out how this happens.

When Does A Snapstreak Not Count?

Snapstreak has limitations. It doesn't count text and voice messages, snaps sent from memories, or Snapchat spectacles. Video calls don't count either; that's where the challenge lies.

It can be hard to keep up when you must send a snap back to your friends. This emoji is where the hourglass (⏳) is for.

In the next part, let's dive further into what the hourglass means on Snapchat Streaks.

What Does the Moving Hourglass Mean on Snapchat?

The hourglass (⏳) icon next to a friend's name on Snapchat isn't just a random decoration. It's a crucial indicator that signifies your Snapstreak is about to end. Essentially, it’s a warning that you must send and receive snaps ASAP.

For avid Snapchat users, the hourglass symbol can catch them in panic mode. Don't worry; Snapchat gives you enough time to catch up before your streak returns to zero. 

How Long Does the Hourglass on Snapchat Last?

After 20 hours of inactivity, the hourglass emoji appears, giving you 4 hours to maintain Snapstreak's existence.

For many Snapchat natives, it has become a thrilling countdown that adds excitement to their Snapchat interactions. This experience exemplifies how messaging on Snapchat is more than just communication now.

Now that you know what the hourglass icon means on Snapchat, it's time to take your Snapstreak game to the next level.

Tips for Maintaining a Snapstreak

Snapchat's Snapstreak is an excellent example of how social media can significantly contribute to maintaining friendships in today's connected world. However, real day-to-day happenings may keep people off social media. 

Below are essential tips and reminders to help you keep a Snapstreak amidst a busy life.

• Make sure to snap daily to avoid losing your Streak - Make it a habit to send a snap daily. Engage in creative photography by sharing funny selfies, memes, scenic views, or adorable pets to keep conversations lively.
• Set reminders to Snap if needed - Getting caught up and forgetting to snap is easy. That's where alarms and reminders come to the rescue. Set a daily alarm on your phone or use an app to remind you when it's snap time.

Here's how you can set reminders to send snaps and keep your streaks alive:

• Phone Alarms - The built-in alarm feature on your smartphone allows you to set daily reminders to send snaps, labeled "Snap Time," at a convenient time.
• Reminder Apps - Create a daily reminder to send snaps using your phone’s built-in reminder app or third-party apps.
• Calendar App - Using a calendar app on your smartphone, you can create recurring daily events labeled "Snap Reminder." Set notifications for these events to receive reminders.
• Streak Tracker Apps - Third-party apps are designed to track and remind you about your Snapchat streaks.

• Protect Your Snapstreak From Unexpected Circumstances

Unforeseen events can cost you and your friends a loss in Snapstreak. A backup plan can save you the time you've spent maintaining the streak.

Here are a couple of quick backup tips to avoid losing your Snapchat Streak:

• Select a trusted friend who can send a snap on your behalf if you cannot.
• Prepare backup snaps like selfies, drawings, or messages.

Keeping a Snapstreak needs the effort of both users, ensuring you and your friend are equally enthusiastic about the Streak. Keep each other motivated by sharing your intentions and discussing strategies.

• Make Your Snapping Habits Entertaining

You can keep your friends engaged by creating a game or challenge. Set a goal and reward the one who can maintain the longest streak. This sense of competition can add to the motivation for preserving Snapstreak.

What To Do If You Lose Your Snapstreaks?

Losing streaks happen more often than not. Whether it's a busy day or a glitch in the system, Snapstreaks can sometimes vanish into thin air. Fortunately, we've got your back with some simple steps to help you recover and prevent future Snapstreak problems.

1. As Soon as You Lose Your Streak, Send Your Friend a Snap

When your Snapstreak disappears, send a snap to your friend ASAP. Doing this may recover your streak if it is a glitch. This tip allows you to start a new one immediately.

2. Reach Out to Snapchat Support if Sending a Snap Doesn't Work

Relying on Snapchat Support is essential if sending a Snap doesn't return the streak. You can reach out to them through the app and explain what happened.

3. Make Sure You and Your Friend Are Still Following Each Other on Snapchat

Sometimes, the problem might have just been between you and your friend. Head over to your friend's profile and ensure you follow each other. A simple reconnection is the solution.

4. Try Not to Worry About Snapstreak Loss

Even if you get stressed, your streak won’t return if it’s gone. Instead, take a deep breath and remind yourself that streaks are just a virtual number. You can always restart.

Final Thoughts

Snapchat introduced fun and innovative features that made a lasting impact on social media. The use of emojis is one of them. 

The hourglass emoji indicates a limited time frame of 4 hours before losing your Snapstreak, with the streak potentially returning to zero shortly after. If that happens, remember that the Snapstreak is still just a number and does not entirely define your friendship.