To change your Snapchat streak emoji, tap the gear in your Profile, scroll to App & Privacy, tap My App, then Friend Emojis (Customize Emojis on Android) and pick a new emoji for Streak. Snapchat warns that options vary by device and not every emoji can be used.
The fire next to a friend's name is just one of Snapchat's Friend Emojis, and you're allowed to swap it for something else. It lives in a menu called Customize My App, which tells you what's going on: you're changing how Snapchat looks on your phone, not changing the Streak itself. The rules for keeping the Streak alive stay exactly the same.
Steps on iPhone
- Open Snapchat and tap your Bitmoji to go to your Profile.
- Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
- Scroll down to the App & Privacy section and tap My App.
- Under Customize My App, tap Friend Emojis.
- Tap Streak and choose the emoji you'd like instead of the fire.
- Go back. The new emoji now shows next to the day count in your Chat list.
Steps on Android
- Tap your Bitmoji, then the gear icon to open Settings.
- Scroll to App & Privacy and tap My App.
- Under Customize My App, tap Customize Emojis. Same feature, different name.
- Pick the Streak entry and select your new emoji.
Snapchat's help centre adds a caveat worth taking seriously: custom Friend Emoji options can change on different devices, and not all emojis can be used. So if the emoji you want isn't in the list, it's not a glitch on your phone. It simply isn't offered.
What the streak emojis tell you
| Emoji | Default | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Streak | Fire | You and this friend have Snapped each other every day; the number beside it's the day count |
| Streak ending | Hourglass | The Streak is about to end; you each need to send a Snap within 24 hours |
Swapping the fire for, say, a pizza doesn't change the meaning. It still marks an active Streak, and the hourglass still warns you when it's running out. If you're decoding the rest of the icons in your Chat list, the hearts are explained in my guide to red and yellow hearts on Snapchat.
Changing the other Friend Emojis while you're there
The same screen holds every Friend Emoji, not just the Streak one. Snapchat's own example is turning all your hearts into pizzas. The list follows Snapchat's Friend Emoji guide: the pink, red and yellow hearts for your #1 Best Friend at different stages, the smiley for one of your Best Friends, the grimace for a shared #1 Best Friend, the sunglasses for a shared Best Friend, the hourglass for a Streak about to end and the birthday cake.
A tip if you're customising more than one: keep the hourglass obvious. It's the only Friend Emoji that asks you to do something, and if you swap it for something cute you might miss the warning. I'd change the fire and leave the hourglass alone.
Why your streak emoji might disappear
This is the part people don't expect. Snapchat says that in some experiences the day count may not appear next to a friend even when you're still Snapping each other, and that feature availability varies by region and app version. So a missing number doesn't always mean a lost Streak. If you're still swapping Snaps daily, it may well be active.
The other common reason is that the Streak has lapsed. Both people need to send a photo or video Snap every day. Text chats don't count, which catches a lot of people out. In a Group Chat Streak, most members of the group have to send a photo or video Snap each day.
Getting a warning before it ends
Rather than relying on spotting the hourglass, you can ask Snapchat to remind you.
- On your Chat feed, press and hold the friend you have a Streak with.
- Tap Chat and Notification Settings.
- Toggle Streak Reminder on.
Two catches from Snapchat's help page: reminders only work for active Streaks, and you have to switch them on again for every new Streak. They also need Snapchat notifications switched on in your phone's settings.
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If the Streak has already gone
Look for a Restore button next to the Chat. If it's there, tap it and follow the steps. If it isn't, Snapchat says the Streak can't be restored, usually because it ended too long ago. Only recently expired Streaks qualify, and there's a support form for cases where the in-app restore didn't work.
One firm line from Snapchat: Support can't add, restore or replace Friend Emojis. If your custom emoji vanished because the Streak ended, there's no ticket that brings it back. Keep the Streak going and it returns on its own.
My verdict
Changing the streak emoji takes under a minute and it's a nice bit of personality, so go for it. Just don't confuse the emoji with the Streak. What keeps a Streak alive is a photo or video Snap from both of you every day, and the Streak Reminder is the most useful setting on this page if you've got one you'd hate to lose. If you're also curious about who's checking your Stories, see how to see who rewatched your Snapchat Story.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Friend Emojis setting on Snapchat?
Settings, then My App under App and Privacy, then Friend Emojis on iPhone or Customize Emojis on Android.
Can I use any emoji for my Snapchat streak?
No. Snapchat says options can change on different devices and not all emojis can be used.
Does changing the streak emoji affect my Streak?
No. It only changes the icon. The Streak still depends on daily photo or video Snaps from both of you.
Why can't I see my streak number?
Snapchat says the day count may not show in some experiences or regions, even when the Streak is still active.
Can Snapchat Support put my streak emoji back?
No. Snapchat Support can't add, restore or replace Friend Emojis. Use the Restore button if one appears next to the Chat.
