Snapchat users may notice a purple circle occasionally appearing around their Bitmoji avatar. This purple circle indicates that the user has an unopened Snapchat notification. The purple ring is Snapchat’s visual cue to remind users to open the app and view any unopened Snaps or messages.
What is a Snapchat Bitmoji?
A Bitmoji is a personalized cartoon avatar that Snapchat users can create to represent themselves. Bitmoji avatars are highly customizable, allowing users to adjust details like hair style and color, skin tone, facial features, and clothing. Once created, the Bitmoji integrates with Snapchat and appears alongside content shared by that user.
Bitmojis became available on Snapchat in 2016 after Snap Inc. acquired the Bitmoji startup. Originally standalone apps, Bitmojis quickly became popular among Snapchat users as a way to express their identity and humor through a virtual mini-me.
Why does a purple circle appear around Snapchat Bitmojis?
The purple circle is a visual indicator that the user has at least one unopened Snap or chat message. It will appear around a user’s Bitmoji on their friend’s Snapchat screens. Tapping on the circled Bitmoji will open a chat window for that friend.
This purple notification circle reflects Snapchat’s core premise of ephemeral messaging. Snaps disappear after being viewed, so the purple ring reminds friends to open messages before they vanish.
Where does the purple circle appear?
The unopened Snap or chat notification purple circle can appear in a few places in Snapchat:
- Around your Bitmoji avatar on the Chat screen
- Around your friend’s Bitmoji avatar on your Chat screen
- Around your friend’s Bitmoji on their Snapchat profile screen
The circle will remain until the unopened message is viewed. Once the user opens the Snap or chat, the purple ring disappears.
What does the purple circle on opened Snaps mean?
If you notice a purple circle around your friend’s Bitmoji even after opening your Snap or message, it means they took a screenshot of it. The purple ring will let you know the Snap was opened but also screenshotted.
Other Snapchat Notification Icons
In addition to the purple ring, Snapchat uses other visual icons and notifications to alert users about unopened messages or activity:
| Notification Icon | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red arrow | Unopened Snap from friend |
| Green arrow | Opened Snap reply from friend |
| Hourglass | Sent Snap waiting to be opened |
| Red square | Unopened story from friend |
Why Snapchat uses notification icons like the purple circle
Snapchat’s visual notification icons tie into its ephemeral messaging concept in a few key ways:
They add urgency
The notifications encourage quick checking of Snaps or chats before they disappear, rather than letting them accumulate passively.
They reduce inbox clutter
With disappearing content, Snapchat doesn’t need an inbox listing unopened messages – the icons prompt users in the moment.
They encourage reciprocity
When friends see you’ve opened their Snaps, they’ll be more likely to open yours. The read receipts indicate who you frequently interact with.
Conclusion
The purple notification circle around Snapchat Bitmojis provides a handy visual reminder to users that they have an unopened message waiting for them. Given Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging system, the purple ring helps make sure users open Snaps and chats before they expire.
Alongside other notification icons, the purple circle allows Snapchat to avoid traditional inbox counts and lists. Instead, colorful cues on the Chat and profile screens grab the user’s attention in the moment to open messages. So if you notice that purple ring, open up Snapchat right away to view those unread Snaps and chats before they’re gone!
Snapchat’s Bitmojis and their distinctive notification icons exemplify the colorful, visual nature of the app. The Bitmoji avatars and their accompanying purple circles or red arrows add an element of personalization and fun to otherwise mundane alerts. But they also serve an important purpose for an app based on impermanent messaging. The notifications ensure users don’t miss out on the Snapchat experience by failing to open Snaps or chats before they disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Bitmoji have a purple circle around it?
A purple circle around your Bitmoji means you have an unopened Snap or chat message in Snapchat. The purple ring serves as a notification to let you know to open Snapchat and view the unread message.
Where does the purple circle notification appear?
The purple circle notification can appear around your Bitmoji on the Chat screen, around a friend’s Bitmoji on your Chat or profile screens, or around your Bitmoji on a friend’s Chat screen.
Does the purple circle go away after opening the Snap?
Yes, the purple notification circle will disappear once you open the Snap or message that it corresponds to. If the circle remains, it means that friend took a screenshot of your Snap.
What happens when you tap on a friend’s circled Bitmoji?
Tapping on a friend’s Bitmoji that has a purple circle around it will open a chat window with that friend in Snapchat. From there, you can view and open the unread Snap or message.
How long does the purple circle remain if a Snap goes unopened?
The purple notification circle will remain until the related Snap is opened. If left unopened, the Snap will eventually expire after 24 hours and the purple circle will disappear.
Can you remove the purple circle without opening the Snap?
No, the only way to remove the purple notification is to open the related Snap. The circle is intended to encourage users to open Snaps and will remain as a reminder if unopened.
Does the purple circle indicate screenshotting too?
If a purple circle remains after a Snap is opened, it means the recipient took a screenshot. Normally the circle disappears after the Snap is viewed.
What do other notification icons in Snapchat mean?
A red arrow means an unopened Snap, a green arrow is an opened Snap reply, an hourglass shows a sent Snap waiting to be opened, and a red square indicates an unopened Story.
Why can’t I see who snapped me on Snapchat anymore?
Snapchat removed the feature that allowed you to see who had snapped you before opening the app. Now you can only see the notification icons – the only way to see who snapped you is to open each one.
How do I turn off notifications in Snapchat?
You can turn off Snapchat notifications by going to your phone’s Settings, selecting Notifications, choosing Snapchat, and toggling off the notification types you want disabled.
Can I remove the purple circle just for some friends and not others?
Unfortunately no, the notification circle cannot be disabled for specific friends. It will appear for all unopened Snaps and chats until they are viewed in Snapchat.
Does deleting a chat remove the purple circle?
No, the only way to remove the purple circle is to open the Snap or message it relates to. Deleting chats will not get rid of the notification.
Can I tell who sent the Snap from the purple circle notification?
No, the notification circle does not indicate who sent the unopened Snap. You will have to open Snapchat and view the message itself to see who it came from.
Does the purple circle go away when I block someone?
Blocking a friend will prevent you from receiving future Snaps or chats, but it will not remove existing purple circle notifications. Those will remain until the related Snaps are opened.
Conclusion
The purple circle notification around Snapchat Bitmojis provides a handy visual reminder for users to open unread Snaps and messages before they disappear. It reflects Snapchat’s emphasis on urgency and impermanence with its ephemeral messaging. While the meaning behind Snapchat icons may seem cryptic at first, they allow the app to avoid old-fashioned inbox counts and instead use colorful cues to prompt users to open content. So the next time you see that purple ring, open up Snapchat right away to find out what your friends are sharing before it’s gone.