You may have seen a tiny green dot next to someone’s name on Snapchat. It might show up when you’re looking at your chats or friend list. But what does it really mean?
The green dot means that your friend is active on Snapchat right now.
Snapchat added this feature to help you know who is online. That way, you can message them when they’re most likely to reply quickly.
Why Snapchat Uses the Green Dot
Snapchat is all about quick, real-time chats. The green dot helps with that.
Here’s what the green dot tells you:
- Your friend is using Snapchat at the moment.
- It’s a good time to send them a snap or message.
- You might get a faster reply.
Other apps like Facebook or Instagram also show when someone is online. Snapchat just uses the green dot to do it in a simple way.
Who Can See the Green Dot?
Not everyone can see your green dot.
Snapchat only shows the green dot to:
- Friends who added you back
- People you’ve recently chatted with
If you don’t talk to someone often, they likely won’t see your status. This gives you more control over who knows you’re online.
Want to Hide the Green Dot? You Can!
Some people like privacy. If you don’t want others to see when you’re online, you can turn the green dot off.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open Snapchat.
- Tap your Bitmoji in the top left corner.
- Tap the gear icon (Settings).
- Scroll down and tap Activity Indicator.
- Turn it off.
Once it’s off, no one can tell when you’re using the app.
Can You Tell if Someone Has Seen Your Profile?
No. The green dot only tells you that someone is online. It doesn’t show if they’ve looked at your profile or bitmoji. Snapchat keeps that private.
How Accurate Is the Green Dot?
The green dot usually means the person is online right now. But sometimes, it may show even if they just closed the app a few moments ago.
So while it’s a good hint, it’s not always 100% exact.
Why You Might Not See a Green Dot
If you don’t see the green dot on someone’s name, it could mean:
- They turned off their activity status.
- You haven’t messaged each other in a while.
- Snapchat is not showing it at that moment.
It doesn’t always mean the person is offline.
You can also read: How Much Is Snapchat Plus? Price, Perks & What to Expect
FAQs About the Green Dot on Snapchat
Can I turn off my own green dot without losing other features?
Yes! Turning off the green dot doesn’t stop you from chatting, snapping, or using the app normally.
Will I still see other people’s green dots if I turn off mine?
Yes, you can still see theirs — unless they’ve turned theirs off too.
What does the green dot on Snapchat mean next to someone’s name?
It means that person is online or recently active on Snapchat. It’s a sign that they might reply to your message quickly.
Can someone see my green dot if I don’t add them back?
No. Only friends who you’ve both added can see your green dot. Random users or one-sided adds won’t see your activity status.
Final Thoughts
The green dot on Snapchat is a small symbol, but it gives helpful info. It shows you who is online and ready to chat. You can use it to time your messages better and have faster, more fun chats.
But if you care about privacy, it’s also easy to turn off.
Snapchat keeps adding features like this to help you stay connected — in your own way, on your own terms.