Not seeing a gold ring around your best friend’s profile on Snapchat can be confusing and concerning for some users. This article will provide an in-depth look at some of the possible reasons you may not be seeing the gold ring, and provide troubleshooting tips to help get it back.
What the gold ring means
The gold ring around a friend’s profile on Snapchat indicates that this person is your “#1 Best Friend” on the app. This means you send snaps back and forth with this friend more than anyone else on your friends list.
Snapchat automatically calculates your best friends based on the total snaps sent between users over the past week. The friend you have the most two-way interaction with gets the coveted gold ring around their profile.
Why is the gold ring missing?
There are a few possible reasons you may have noticed your best friend no longer has a gold ring around their profile:
You aren’t snapping as much lately. If your snaps back and forth have decreased over the past week, even by a small amount, Snapchat’s algorithm may have dropped them from the #1 spot.
Your friend added new friends. If your best friend added a lot of new friends recently and is snapping those people more than you, their new snapping activity can knock you out of the top spot.
Your friend changed their settings. In Snapchat’s settings, there is an option to disable seeing the best friends feature. If your friend turned this off, you won’t see the gold ring even if you are still their #1.
You changed your settings. Like your friend, you also have the ability to turn off seeing the best friends feature in your own app’s settings. If you toggled this option, you won’t see the ring for anyone.
It’s a temporary glitch. Occasionally the app may glitch and not display the gold ring properly. Usually rebooting the app or your phone can resolve temporary display issues.
Troubleshooting tips
If the missing gold best friend ring is concerning to you, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take:
Snap your friend more consistently. Try to increase your snapping activity with your bestie over the next week to potentially trigger the gold ring again.
Check your settings. Go into Snapchat’s settings menu and make sure you have the “See My Best Friends” option enabled under the “Additional Services” menu.
Ask your friend to check their settings. Politely ask your best friend to check their settings as well and make sure they did not turn off the “Show My Best Friends” option.
Restart the app. Force quit and relaunch Snapchat to refresh the app. This can sometimes fix display glitches with the best friends feature.
Log out and log back in. Try fully logging out of your Snapchat account and logging back in. This may reset the best friends calculation.
Update the app. Make sure both you and your friend have the latest version of Snapchat installed, as old versions can cause issues.
Contact Snapchat support. If all else fails, reach out to Snapchat’s customer support for additional help troubleshooting the missing best friend ring.
Being removed as a best friend
While troublesome technology could be the culprit, there is also a chance your friend intentionally removed you as their #1 best friend on Snapchat. Some reasons this may happen include:
They added a new significant other. If your bestie got a new boyfriend/girlfriend, they are likely snapping this person more, causing you to lose the top spot.
You had an argument or fight. After a disagreement, they may be snapping you less, resulting in the change.
They want more privacy. Some people remove their top best friend so that acquainances don’t know who they snap with the most.
The relationship faded. Over time, communication may have dropped off, leading to you losing your best friend status.
Try not to take it personally if you think your friend intentionally removed you as their #1. Not being the top best friend doesn’t mean they don’t still care about you. The ring is ultimately just a minor feature on the app.
Improving your friendship
If you think your relationship may be growing distant and that resulted in the lost gold ring, there are some things you can do to try to reconnect:
Reach out to start a conversation and catch up, asking how they’ve been.
Send them memes or snaps of something funny you think they’d appreciate.
Comment or react positively to their stories to show you still care.
Invite them to hang out IRL to invest quality time together.
Apologize if you think you may have done something to upset them.
Show your interest in their life by asking engaging questions over chat.
Surprise them with their favorite home-cooked meal or baked goods.
Simply let them know you value their friendship and miss talking.
Prioritizing meaningful communication
At the end of the day, the Snapchat gold ring doesn’t define your friendship. While fun, this feature is rather superficial. What really matters is making quality time for those important to you.
Rather than worrying about your status on the app, focus on reaching out to your friend, getting together, and appreciating them. Have deep conversations that strengthen your bond.
If you find yourself preoccupied with likes, streaks, and online status symbols, take a step back. Reflect on nurturing your real-life connections vs. chasing social media validation.
True friendships thrive through ups and downs. By picking up the phone, making plans, and giving your time, you can maintain meaningful best friend relationships with or without the Snapchat ring.
When to let go
In some cases, you may need to accept the relationship has run its course or is not healthy for you anymore. If your attempts to reconnect are continually rejected or your friend treats you poorly, you may have to move on for your own wellbeing.
Letting go of a friendship can be difficult, but may be necessary. Look for new, genuine people to connect with. Bond over shared interests and support each other. In time, you will regain close bonds with those who enrich your life.
Seeking other best friends
If your #1 best friend is gone for good, remember you can find fulfilling friendships with other people. Look for opportunities in your existing social circles:
Chat more with friends you want to get closer with from school or work. Ask about their life and interests.
Pursue a deeper connection with a friend of a friend whom you really hit it off with.
Message that friend acquaintance you always say “hi” to but haven’t really talked to. They could become a great new bestie.
Compliment friends when you like their outfit or achievements. Thoughtful gestures build bonds.
Organize a fun outing for you and a few friends to bond over – like laser tag, hiking, escape room, etc.
ultimately, having even one very close, sincere friend is more meaningful than 100 Snapchat best friends. Cherish those people who make your life better, whether the app recognizes them or not.
Focusing on your own growth
Losing a close friendship can also be an opportunity for self development. With that person no longer occupying your time, you can:
Pick up a new hobby like painting, martial arts, or learning guitar.
Set a goal to read more books that interest you.
Take a fun solo trip somewhere new and adventurous.
Volunteer at an animal shelter, food bank, or other cause you care about.
Make progress at the gym toward your fitness goals.
Spend more quality time with family whom you may have neglected.
Write in a journal about your thoughts, feelings, dreams and aspirations.
Sometimes friendships fade for good reason – to teach you, provide space to grow, or introduce you to new people and experiences.
Summary
If you no longer see a gold best friend ring on Snapchat, don’t panic. Consider if your usage habits changed or if settings were adjusted. Politely communicate with your friend to problem solve. Focus on nurturing your real-life connection through quality time together. The gold ring is just a minor app feature – it’s the genuine caring that truly defines friendship.
With time, effort and understanding, you can regain close friendships or form even deeper bonds with new people. Focus on self-growth and surrounding yourself with those who uplift you.
True friends are those who stick with you through ups and downs. Even without the Snapchat ring, hold onto the people who make you feel loved, supported and bring value to your life.