Snapchat introduced group chats in 2020, allowing users to communicate in groups of up to 32 people. Along with group chats came group charms, which are special emojis that appear next to a group’s name. Group charms help distinguish different group chats and add a unique flair to each one.
There are many different group charms available on Snapchat, with new ones being added periodically. Some charms are available to all groups, while others must be unlocked by achieving certain feats as a group. Unlocking special charms can become a goal that brings group members together.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Snapchat group charms. We’ll cover the basics of how charms work, the different types of standard and unlockable charms, and tips for unlocking some of the most exclusive charms available.
How Do Group Charms Work?
Snapchat group charms function similarly to emojis. Each charm appears next to a group’s name when chatting within the group or looking at the group chat list.
The charm chosen represents the group and stays consistent regardless of who is looking at the chat. For example, if a group chooses the birthday cake charm, all members will see the birthday cake appear next to that group’s name.
Group admins have the ability to change a group’s charm at any time through the chat settings. They can browse through all available charms and select a new one for the group. The new charm will then appear for all participants.
Most group chats start out with the standard smiley face charm by default. Admins can change to a different charm that fits their group’s personality or interests. Snapchat occasionally adds new charms into the available list.
In addition to basic charms available to all, some unique charms must be unlocked by achieving certain group feats. For instance, groups can unlock a special charm by maintaining a chat streak. We’ll go into more detail on unlockable charms later on.
Overall, charms serve as a fun way for a group to define its identity visually. The variety of charms allows groups to choose something that represents their distinct style and vibe.
Types of Standard Group Charms
Snapchat offers close to 100 standard charms that are available for any group to use. These charms do not need to be unlocked and can be selected at any time through the group chat settings.
Some of the most popular group chat charms include:
Smiley Faces: There are over 10 smiley face charms featuring different expressions. These include the classic yellow smiley, a smiling face with hearts for eyes, a laughing/crying face, and more. Smiley faces work well for casual groups.
Hearts: Multiple heart charms are available, including traditional red hearts, purple hearts, blue hearts, and rainbow hearts. Hearts represent love and affection.
Hand Gestures: Choose from hand symbols like peace signs, thumbs up, clapping hands, crossed fingers, and more. These are good for upbeat groups.
Food: Food charms include items like birthday cake, pizza, french fries, doughnuts, and popsicles. Food is perfect for bonding over meals.
Animals: Some animal charms include kangaroos, lions, elephants, pandas, and unicorns. Animal lovers appreciate these.
Sports: Represent your favorite sports with charms like footballs, soccer balls, bowling pins, and basketballs. Great for sports teams and fans.
School: Academic charms feature items like books, pencils, chalkboards, and graduation cap hats. Ideal for study groups or classes.
Faces: Sunglasses, eye roll, nerd glasses, and other faces charms lend fun personality.
Misc: Other options include flowers, stars, lightning, balloons, ghosts, trees, and more.
With such a wide variety available, groups can get creative and find a standard charm that really speaks to their personality and interests. The charms are a chance to visually represent the group’s collective identity.
Types of Unlockable Group Charms
In addition to the standard charms accessible to all groups, Snapchat has also created some exclusive charms that must be unlocked. These special charms serve as achievements for groups that complete certain tasks together.
Some unlockable charms include:
Astrology: Each astrological sign has its own unique charm – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. To unlock, a group must have a majority of members with that sun sign.
Birthday Cake: Groups can unlock a birthday cake charm by having a majority of members add their birthdays within Snapchat settings. This charm will also show each member’s zodiac symbol.
Colleges: Snapchat offers charms for many major universities. Group members must link their .edu emails to unlock their college charm.
Flags: Groups with a majority of members from the same country can unlock a charm with that country’s flag. Their Snapchat locations must be set to that country.
Chat Streaks: Maintaining a streak of continual days chatting unlocks fun charms like party poppers, rocket ships and fireworks at milestones like 7, 14, 30, and 100 days.
Personality Quiz: Taking a Snapchat personality quiz with the group reveals a charm that fits the “vibe” of the group based on combined quiz results.
Gaming: Gamers can unlock charms by playing Snap Games together. Charms feature classics like Snake and PAC-MAN.
TV & Movies: Groups that binge watch or live chat shows on Snapchat may unlock relevant charms like TV remotes or clapboards.
Holidays: Holiday-themed charms like hearts, firecrackers, turkeys, and candy canes can be unlocked by chatting consistently on the holiday.
As you can see, unlockable charms encourage groups to engage more deeply on Snapchat. Completing goals together brings members closer through shared experiences and inside jokes. Unlocking a rare charm gives groups status and satisfaction.
Tips for Unlocking Special Group Charms
Here are some tips and strategies for unlocking those exclusive Snapchat group charms:
Focus on astrology charms first. The astrological charms are some of the easiest to unlock since they rely on birthdays which never change. Have each person list their sun sign so you can target relevant charms.
Add birthdays to unlock the cake charm. Don’t forget to celebrate birthdays in your group! Adding this info to profiles enables the birthday cake charm.
Schedule regular group chats. Maintaining a streak means chatting every day, so set standing chat times like breakfast or after work. Consistency is key for streak charms.
Remind members to update locations. To get your country’s flag charm, make sure everyone has set their Snapchat location to reflect where they currently live.
Complete the personality quiz together. The group vibe charm comes from everyone taking the quiz within a 24-hour period and combining results.
Organize gaming sessions. For gaming charms, coordinate times to play Snap Games as a group. Shoot for charms like the 100 Games Won charm.
Watch Snap originals as they air. Tuning into shows on the Snapchat Discover tab can unlock relevant charms if enough group members view them.
Chat on major holidays. Mark your calendars for holidays – maintaining chat streaks on special days like Thanksgiving and New Year’s can unlock holiday charms.
Link college emails. College students should link their .edu emails through settings to unlock their university’s charm.
Chasing charms gives groups an engaging goal. Friendly competition between members and racing to unlock the next charm makes conversation more lively and brings everyone closer together.
Do Group Charms Go Away?
Once a Snapchat group charm has been unlocked, it will remain visible until the admin chooses to change it. Unlike the chat streak charms which disappear if your streak is broken, most charms are permanent.
For example, if your group unlocks the 100 day chat streak charm, that charm will stay in place even if you miss a few days of chatting and lose your streak. The charm serves as a reminder of the impressive feat your group previously achieved.
The only charms that can expire are the holiday charms if they are swapped out for a different charm. But holiday charms can be re-unlocked each time the holiday comes around again by continuing to chat as a group.
All other charms stick around forever once unlocked, or until manually changed by an admin. So there’s no pressure to continuously maintain certain requirements. Enjoy showing off your rare charms for the long term!
Can You Use Charms in Individual Chats?
Group charms are unique to the Snapchat group chat feature. They do not appear in any one-on-one chats between individual friends. The purpose of charms is specifically to represent the collective identity of each group.
When messaging a friend one-on-one outside of a group, you will only see the usual creative tools like emojis, stickers, Bitmoji, and filters that you can add to individual snaps.
So get creative with visually communicating in your individual conversations, but look to group charms when you want to define the personality of your overall group while chatting together.
Someday Snapchat may roll out the ability to have charms for individual friends in your best friends list. For now, charms are reserved for elevating group chat experiences and giving groups an icon to unite around.
Changing Your Group’s Charm
Snapchat grants the power to change a group’s charm solely to group admins. As an admin, you can change the charm at any time through these steps:
1. Open the Snapchat group chat
2. Tap the group’s name at the top of the chat window
3. Tap “Change Charm”
4. Browse through the available charms
5. Select a new charm to represent the group
The new charm will now display next to the group name for all members.
Think about changing your charm if your group’s vibe shifts over time or if members want a fresh start. You can always go back and choose legacy charms later too.
Rotation of charms keeps things fun and interesting while allowing your group to evolve visually. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Conclusion
Snapchat group charms give friends a way to bond while forming group identities. Unlocking special charms through shared achievements brings members closer together and gives groups a sense of pride.
With many standard and unlockable charms to choose from, Snapchat groups can pick something meaningful that represents their unique style. Group charms help make chatting more engaging and fun.
The next time you’re in a Snapchat group chat, take a look at which charm represents your squad. Getting the perfect charm can become a team effort that solidifies camaraderie within your favorite Snapchat circles.