If you’ve noticed that your Snapchat icon looks different, you’re not alone. Snapchat occasionally rolls out updates that change the app’s interface and features, including tweaks to the app icons that users see on their home screens.
There are a few possible reasons why your Snapchat icon may have changed recently:
Snapchat Redesigned Their App Icon
The most likely reason your Snapchat icon looks different is that Snapchat redesigned their app icon with an update. Snapchat has updated their app icon design multiple times over the years:
Snapchat Icon Design | Time Period |
---|---|
Ghost icon | 2011 – 2013 |
Simplified ghost icon | 2013 – 2016 |
White ghost icon with colors | 2016 – 2019 |
Minimalist white ghost | 2019 – Present |
The most recent redesign unveiled in 2019 features a minimalist white ghost without a background color. So if your Snapchat icon suddenly changed to this pared down white ghost, it’s simply due to Snapchat rolling out their latest branding update.
You Updated Snapchat
Another possibility is that your Snapchat icon changed when you recently updated the app. With major Snapchat app updates, the new version often comes with visual tweaks like an updated icon.
For example, when Snapchat rolled out a big redesign in 2018, the app icon changed to have a white background instead of yellow. So check if you have any pending app updates for Snapchat – installing the update could refresh the icon design.
You Switched iPhones
If you recently got a new iPhone, your Snapchat icon may look different now due to differences in how app icons display on various iPhone models.
Specifically, app icons look slightly different on newer iPhone models with rounded corners on the display. Whereas on older iPhone models with square corners, app icons also appear square-shaped.
So if you upgraded to an iPhone with a rounded display, like the iPhone 13 Pro, your Snapchat and other app icons will also have a more rounded appearance.
Your Phone’s Icon Frames Changed
Some Android phones allow you to change the icon frames used across the interface. For example, you can choose to use oval or squircle-shaped icon frames instead of the usual circular frames.
Switching your device’s icon frames to a different shape will correspondingly change the appearance of your Snapchat and other app icons. They’ll be forced into the new icon frame shape. So if your Snapchat icon now appears oval or squircle-shaped, that’s likely why.
You’re Using a Different Launcher
On Android phones, using a third-party launcher app can also alter the look of your home screen icons, including Snapchat. Popular Android launchers like Nova Launcher and Action Launcher let you customize things like icon packs and themes.
So if you started using a new launcher that comes with its own set of themed icons, that would explain an altered Snapchat icon. Switching back to your phone’s default launcher would restore the original Snapchat icon.
A Bug or Glitch
In some rare cases, your Snapchat icon mysteriously changing could be due to a minor software glitch or bug. Closing the Snapchat app fully then restarting your phone can help clear out any icon caching issues.
If that doesn’t work, you may need to try reinstalling the Snapchat app from the app store. That will reset the icon back to normal.
You’re Using a Snapchat Sticker
Some Snapchat users have discovered their app icon replaced with what seems like a random sticker. This is caused by Snapchat’s Snapchatters sticker feature.
Snapchatters allows you to create personalized stickers with your Bitmoji avatar. If you create a Snapchatters sticker pack, you can make one of the stickers replace your Snapchat app icon.
So if your icon is now your Bitmoji or another sticker, it means you accidentally set a Snapchatters sticker as your app icon. To fix it:
- Open Snapchat Settings
- Tap Snapchatters and select Edit Stickers
- Drag the sticker from the Snapchat Icon section to the tray
- Tap Apply
That will reset your icon back to the normal Snapchat ghost logo.
You Have a Themed Icon Pack Enabled
Snapchat occasionally releases special themed icon packs that temporarily change the app’s icon. For example, they’ve had themed packs for holidays like Christmas and Halloween.
If you have one of these special themed icon packs enabled in Snapchat’s settings, that’s why your icon currently looks different than usual.
To return to the standard Snapchat icon, go to Settings > Manage > Disable Icon Packs. That will disable any active icon packs you have on.
Conclusion
A changed Snapchat icon is usually nothing to worry about. In most cases, it’s simply due to an app update or design refresh from Snapchat. Less commonly, it could be the result of getting a new phone, switching launchers on Android, or enabling special Snapchat icon packs.
If your Snapchat icon suddenly changed without explanation, first try fully closing and reopening the app. Restarting your phone may also help clear up any icon issues. And you can always reinstall Snapchat to reset the icon back to default if needed.
But generally, a refreshed Snapchat icon is just part of the app evolving over time – even if it takes some getting used to! The icon may continue to change in the future as Snapchat releases new updates and branding changes.
Let’s recap the possible reasons your Snapchat icon changed:
- Snapchat redesigned their app icon
- You updated to the latest version of Snapchat
- You got a new iPhone model
- Your Android phone’s icon frames changed
- You’re using a different launcher app
- A minor software bug or glitch
- You set a Snapchatters sticker as your icon
- You have a themed Snapchat icon pack enabled
So in summary, while a mysteriously altered Snapchat icon may seem weird at first, there’s usually a simple explanation. The icon design changes over time as part of routine app updates. Checking your Snapchat settings and app version can help troubleshoot the cause if your icon suddenly looks unfamiliar.