Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media apps, with over 293 million daily active users as of Q2 2022. The app allows users to send photo and video messages that disappear after being viewed. One of Snapchat’s key features is the ability to add friends and share content within your friend network.
But what happens when you decide to delete or remove a friend from your Snapchat friends list? Here’s a look at what you need to know if you delete a friend on Snapchat.
Your Friend is Removed from Your Friends List
The most basic effect of deleting a friend on Snapchat is that they are removed from your friends list. This means you will no longer see their name, Bitmoji, or score when viewing your friends list in the app. Your former friend will also no longer show up as a suggested or quick add friend in your add friends screen.
Once deleted, your friend will not be notified that you removed them. The only way they may realize you deleted them is if they try to view your Snapchat story or send you a chat, and get a notification that you are no longer friends.
You Stop Seeing Their Public Content
In addition to removing them from your friends list, deleting a friend on Snapchat means you will no longer see their public Snapchat content. This includes:
- Their public Snapchat story – You will no longer be able to view any public stories or posts they share to their account.
- Their Snap Map location – You won’t be able to see their location on the Snap Map if they choose to share it publicly.
- Their public profile information – Any public details on their profile will no longer be visible to you.
Essentially, deleting them as a friend cuts off your access to anything they choose to share publicly with their friends on Snapchat.
You Cannot View Their Private Content
Of course, removing a friend on Snapchat also means you will no longer be able to view any of their private Snapchat content that is only shared with friends.
This includes:
- Private story – You won’t see any private stories or posts they share only with their friends list.
- Chat messages – You will not be able to send or receive 1-on-1 chats with that friend.
- Group chats – You will be removed from any group chats you were both in.
- Photos/videos – Any snaps or content sent directly to you will no longer be accessible.
- Locations – You won’t see any private locations they share with friends on Snap Map.
Removing them eliminates your access to any content they share just with their Snapchat friends, including chats, private stories, locations, and direct messages.
They are Removed From Your Best Friends List
Snapchat has a Best Friends feature that shows you which friends you interact with the most on the app. When you delete a friend, they will automatically be removed from your Best Friends list as well.
Your Best Friends rankings will recalculate based on your interactions with your remaining friends. So deleting one friend could cause your other close friends to move up a spot in your Best Friends list depending on how often you snap them.
Your Shared Snap History is Deleted
Over time, friends on Snapchat build up a shared snap history full of saved chats, photos, videos, and more. When you delete a friend, your entire shared snap history with them is deleted as well.
This means all previous:
- Chat conversations are deleted
- Photos and videos sent between you are deleted
- Shared memories are erased
- Shared stories vanish
All former snaps and chats between you and your deleted friend will be permanently erased. This cannot be undone or recovered if you re-add them as a friend later on.
You Lose Access to Their Lenses/Geofilters
In addition to snaps and chats, deleting a friend on Snapchat means losing access to any custom lenses or geofilters they may have created and shared.
For example, if your friend designed a custom lens you really enjoyed or often used, you will no longer be able to access that lens after removing them as a friend.
The same goes for any geofilters they designed for specific locations – you won’t be able to use their geofilters any longer if you are no longer Snapchat friends.
You Can Add Them Back Later
In most cases, deleting a friend is not necessarily permanent. You can add them back later if you change your mind or want to reconnect.
To re-add a deleted friend:
- Go to the “Add Friends” screen
- Search for their username
- Select “Add” to send them a friend request
Keep in mind when you add them back, your shared snap history will not be restored. You’ll be starting fresh as brand new friends again on Snapchat.
They May Notice and Feel Hurt
Although Snapchat does not notify friends when they’ve been deleted, most people will eventually notice if they’ve been removed from your friends list – especially if they were your close friend.
Finding out a friend deleted you can feel hurtful or bring up questions like “Why did they delete me?” It may damage or permanently end real life friendships in some cases.
So before deciding to delete someone, consider if it’s worth potentially hurting them or ending your actual friendship altogether.
When is it Okay to Delete a Friend?
There are a few situations where it may be appropriate to delete a friend on Snapchat:
- They are posting inappropriate or harmful content
- They are bullying or harassing you
- They violated your privacy or trust
- You no longer know them or interact with them
- You had a falling out and are no longer friends
Use good judgement before deleting friends. Talk to them first if there are issues between you that can be resolved. But deleting friends is reasonable in cases of toxicity, safety concerns, or major life changes.
You Can Block Them Instead
Rather than fully deleting a friend, another option is to block them. Blocking lets you cut off their access to interacting with you without fully removing them as a friend.
When you block a friend:
- They remain on your friends list but cannot view your stories
- They cannot send you snaps or chats
- They do not see your location on Snap Map
- You remain friends list acquaintances but cease communications
Blocking can be a middle ground if you don’t want to fully delete someone but need to limit contact with them on Snapchat.
Conclusion
Removing a friend on Snapchat cuts off all connection and visibility between you within the app. All shared content and history will be permanently erased. Friends may feel hurt if they notice your removed them.
Before deciding to delete someone, consider if you should talk to them first, or simply block them instead. Use your best judgement based on your specific situation and relationship with that friend.
Overall, deleting a Snapchat friend ends your Snapchat-specific friendship and interactions. But proceed with caution as it could damage a real life friendship as well in some cases.
| Effect of Deleting a Snapchat Friend | Details |
|---|---|
| Removed from friends list | No longer visible on your friends list or suggestions |
| Lose access to public content | Can’t view public stories, map location, profile, etc. |
| No access to private content | Removed from private stories, chats, messages, etc. |
| Removed from Best Friends | Best Friends rankings recalculated without them |
| Shared history deleted | All previous snaps, chats, stories, etc. are erased |
| Lose access to lenses/geofilters | Can no longer use their custom lenses or geofilters |
| Can re-add later | You can search and add them back as a friend |
| May hurt their feelings | Being deleted can damage real friendships and relationships |