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 |