Snapchat Streaks Guide
Everything about the fire emoji — the exact rules that keep a streak alive, what the hourglass means, how to restore a lost streak for free, and the records people have hit.
🔥
Fire + number
Your active streak: the number of consecutive days you and this friend have snapped each other. Appears after 3 straight days.
⌛
Hourglass
Warning: the streak is about to expire. Send a Snap before it runs out to keep the streak going.
💯
100 emoji
Shown next to the fire on day 100 as a milestone. After day 100 the regular number returns and keeps counting.
How to use it
- 1
Start the streak
Snap each other 3 days in a row — the fire emoji appears.
- 2
Keep it alive
Both sides send a photo/video snap every 24 hours.
- 3
Watch the hourglass
It means the streak is about to expire.
- 4
Restore if lost
Tap Restore next to the chat. Everyone gets one free Streak Restore.
What counts (and what doesn't)
- Counts: a photo or video snap sent directly to the friend, from the camera.
- Doesn't count: chat messages, snaps sent to groups, Stories (even if they watch), Memories or camera-roll content sent as chats, and audio/video calls.
- Both people must snap within each rolling 24-hour window — one side snapping daily is not enough.
Restoring a lost streak, step by step
Look for the Restore button next to the chat that was on a streak and tap it. Only recently expired streaks can be restored; if there is no Restore button, the streak ended too long ago to bring back. Each Snapchatter gets one free Streak Restore. After that, a restore costs the price shown in the app, which varies by country. If restoring in the app doesn't work, Snapchat Support has a form to request a review. Sources: I lost my Streak. How do I restore it? and How much does it cost to restore a Streak? (Snapchat Support).
Keeping long streaks safe
- Snap right after waking up — it removes the deadline from the rest of the day.
- Agree on a "streak snap" convention with the friend (even a black screen counts).
- Watch for the hourglass on your friends list before bed.
- Traveling across time zones? The window is 24 real hours, not calendar days — snap early.
Frequently asked questions
How do Snapchat streaks work?+
A streak (the fire emoji plus a number) starts after you and a friend snap each other on 3 consecutive days. To keep it alive, BOTH of you must send at least one photo or video snap every 24 hours. Chat messages, group snaps, Stories, and Memories do not count — only direct photo/video snaps between the two of you.
How do I restore a lost Snapchat streak?+
Look for the Restore button next to the chat that was on a streak and tap it. Only recently expired streaks can be restored; if there is no Restore button, the streak ended too long ago to bring back. Source: Snapchat Support, https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/7012318024852-I-lost-my-Streak-How-do-I-restore-it
How many free streak restores do you get?+
Snapchat gives each Snapchatter one free Streak Restore. After that one is used, restoring a streak costs the price shown in the app, which varies by country. Source: Snapchat Support, https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/13086861638676-How-much-does-it-cost-to-restore-a-Streak
How long until a streak breaks?+
A streak expires when more than a day passes without a new Snap from everyone in the chat. Source: Snapchat Support, https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/7012394193684-How-do-Streaks-work-and-when-do-they-expire
What does the hourglass emoji on Snapchat mean?+
It means the streak is about to expire. Send a photo or video Snap before it runs out to keep the streak going. Source: Snapchat Support, https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/7012394193684-How-do-Streaks-work-and-when-do-they-expire
Can Snapchat support restore a streak?+
Start with the Restore button next to the chat. If restoring in the app doesn't work, Snapchat Support has a form you can fill out, and they review the request. Source: Snapchat Support, https://help.snapchat.com/hc/en-us/articles/7012318024852-I-lost-my-Streak-How-do-I-restore-it
Why did my streak disappear when we both snapped?+
Common causes: one snap was sent to a group (doesn't count), it was a chat message instead of a photo/video snap, a snap failed to send on poor connection, or one side sent it just after the 24-hour mark. If you believe it's an app error, use the free restore or Snapchat support.
What is the longest Snapchat streak?+
Community-tracked record streaks run over 4,000 days — dating back to shortly after streaks launched in April 2015. Snapchat doesn't publish an official leaderboard, so records are self-reported screenshots.
Do streaks give you anything?+
Nothing tangible — no rewards, features, or Snap Score multipliers. The number next to the fire emoji counts consecutive days, and Snapchat designed it purely as an engagement habit. That said, losing a long one still hurts, which is why restores exist.
Does Snapchat+ help with streaks?+
Snapchat Support has a page on getting more free Streak Restores with Snapchat+. It doesn't change how streaks work: a streak still needs a Snap from everyone in the chat each day.
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