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Why is the GREY box on Snapchat but still friends?

Why is the GREY box on Snapchat but still friends?

Snapchat’s relationship status feature allows you to view your connection with friends on the app. The grey box indicates your friend hasn’t been active on Snapchat lately or your connection is weakening. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you are no longer friends or that they have blocked you. There are several reasons the grey box may appear while you remain friends.

Reasons for Grey Box

Here are some potential reasons you may see the grey box for a friend on Snapchat:

They Haven’t Been Active

One of the most common reasons for the grey box is simply that your friend hasn’t opened Snapchat for a while. Snapchat determines your connection strength based on how often you interact within the app. If it’s been a few weeks or longer since your friend last posted or viewed your snaps, the app assumes your connection has weakened and shows the grey box. As soon as they start using Snapchat again regularly, it should switch back to a gold heart or whatever icon reflects your typical interaction.

You Haven’t Been Interacting

The grey box could also indicate you haven’t been viewing or responding to that friend’s snaps often lately. Even if they are active on Snapchat, your personal interaction with them may have dropped off, prompting the app to downgrade your status. Make an effort to view and reply to that friend’s snaps, and your icon should upgrade after a few days of increased engagement.

Their Score Has Changed

Snapchat determines your relationships partially based on your Snap scores. If your friend’s score has dropped drastically or your score differs significantly now, Snapchat may assume you aren’t as close anymore. However, score changes happen and don’t necessarily reflect your actual friendship. Give it some time for your scores to even out again through regular use.

Phone Settings or glitches

Bugs in the Snapchat app or changes in your phone settings could also cause the grey box incorrectly. Make sure Snapchat has permission to access your contacts and photos. Force quit and relaunch the app. If the issue persists, try deleting and reinstalling Snapchat. Check that your phone software is up to date too. Resolving any device conflicts or app errors should restore the proper status icon.

Other Clues About Your Connection

Along with the status icon, there are other signs within Snapchat that can reveal whether you and your friend remain connected:

Communication

Do you and your friend still chat frequently within Snapchat? Consistent conversations suggest your relationship is solid, regardless of what the icon shows. Lack of messaging, however, could indicate you two have indeed grown apart.

Stories

Does your friend still view the stories you post? Do you watch theirs? Viewing each other’s stories shows mutual interest in keeping up with what’s going on. If your friend never views your stories anymore, your bond may have weakened.

Memories

Have you and your friend stopped appearing in each other’s memories and featured photos? No longer being highlighted suggests decreased interaction over time. But if you’re both still regularly part of these nostalgic content, it reaffirms an ongoing connection.

Snapstreaks

A lost snapstreak could signal a break in your regular communication. But maintaining one for 100+ days demonstrates a consistent, positive relationship on Snapchat.

Ways to Strengthen Your Friendship

If you want to upgrade from the grey box and revitalize your tie with that friend, here are some ways to boost your Snapchat relationship:

Snap more often

Start sending snaps back and forth regularly again. Comment on their stories too. Increased engagement will improve your status icon.

Watch Stories

Make sure to view any stories they post. Likewise, post engaging stories for them to watch. This reciprocal story viewing strengthens your bond.

Chat

Have real conversations over Snapchat. Ask questions and show interest in what they share. This personal interaction helps liven up your connection.

React to Memories

When you appear in their memories, view and react to the snaps. This shows you care about reliving fun past moments.

Send Gifts

Surprise them with digital gifts like emojis or Bitmojis. Thoughtful surprises give your relationship a spark.

Conclusion

The grey box on Snapchat likely just means temporarily decreased interactions. Focus on proactively communicating with that friend more often. Your icon will usually revert back to reflect your actual stable bond. But if efforts to reconnect continue to fail, the grey box may confirm you’ve simply grown apart.

Reason Explanation
Inactive Friend Your friend hasn’t opened Snapchat for a while
You Haven’t Interacted You haven’t been viewing or responding to that friend’s snaps
Score Change Your friend’s Snap score has dropped or differs significantly from yours
App Glitch A bug or device setting is causing the grey box incorrectly
Sign Meaning
Messaging Frequent conversations suggest a solid bond
Story Views Watching each other’s stories shows interest
Memories Appearing in memories demonstrates ongoing friendship
Snapstreaks A long streak signifies regular communication
Method How It Helps
Send more snaps Increased engagement improves your status icon
Watch stories Reciprocal story views strengthens your bond
Chat Personal conversations liven your connection
React to memories Shows you care about reliving past moments
Send gifts Thoughtful surprises give your relationship a spark