Snapchat is recognized for its communication style that is more animated and short lived. One of its most cherished offerings is Snapstreak, a gamified method of interacting that motivates a friend-to-friend interaction on a daily basis. Streaks not only enhance digital relationships, they also provide a sense of value and devotion to the user’s interactions with Snapchat.
Nonetheless, losing a Snapstreak, particularly a lengthy one, can be devastating. Whether it was technical problems, forgetfulness, or issues related to time zones, a disappearing Snapstreak does not always mean it has vanished for good. With this guide, we will explore how Snapchat helps recover lost streaks, using mobile apps or web browsers.
🔥 What Is a Snapstreak?
A Snapstreak is created when you and a friend exchange snaps for a number of consecutive days (not chats). While a streak is active, a fire emoji (🔥) alongside the number of days the streak has been active is shown next to a friend’s name.
To keep the streak active, both parties need to send at least one Snap to each other within the span of 24 hours. If either buddy fails to send a Snap in a day, the streak resets to zero, and fire emoji is removed.
It is essential to understand:
Streaks cannot be earned through chats, memories or group snaps.
Solo snaps turned into streaks only between two out of a possible multi-user system are valid.
Snaps have to be responded to and answered within the 24 hour time frame.
💔 What are the reasons for the discontinuation of Snapstreaks?
Here are some of the more frequent Snapstreaks disappearing reasons:
One of the players did not respond for the 24 hour period.
Technical problems such as application shut-downs or lack of internet connection.
Differences in time zones resulted in one of the users sending the Snap too late.
Problems with the Snapchat system or bugs.
In the scenario where both users are snapping within the window, but the streak is lost, it is most likely a glitch, and the user has the ability to get it fixed.
🛠️ Instructions To Restore Your Snapstreak
Restoring will not demand much time since Snapchat’s process for restoration requests received streamlined. Based on your situation and whether you have a device to reach out from, below are three ways to go about it.
Method 1: Through The Restore Option On Snapchat, Go Strictly From The App
With the latest update, users are now able to initiate recovery of rest Snapstreaks without involving customer service. If you meet the requirements, this one is the fastest and simple way to go about from rest Snapstreaks
Here is the how-to guide:
Launch Snapchat app on your device.
Click on the Chat button located at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll to find the conversation with the friend whose streak you lost.
Look for a ‘🔥 Restore’ button next to their name.
If the button appears, it means your streak can be restored instantly. Tap the button, and Snapchat will walk you through the necessary steps. Sometimes, Snapchat will ask you to confirm why you are restoring the streak.
⚠️ Note: This feature is only available for a short window of time after the streak expires. If you don’t act fast, the button could vanish, and you will resort to other methods.
✅ Method 2: Through the App, Submit a Snapstreak Retrieval Form
If the ‘Restore’ button doesn’t show up, or if it didn’t function properly, relax. You have the option to submit a Snapstreak retrieval form directly through the Snapchat app. Snapchat Support often looks at these requests and can reinstate a streak if the request holds enough merit.
Restoring Snapstreaks Is Simple With These Steps:
Launch Snapchat and click on your Bitmoji or profile picture in the top left corner to access your profile.
Click on the settings icon (⚙️) located on the right side of your screen to access your settings.
Scroll down and pick “I Need Help” found in the support subsection.
Tap on “Snapstreaks.”
Select “I lost my Snapstreak.”
Tap the blue link which says “Let us know.”
Complete the support form with:
Your account name
Your email address
Your phone number
Your mobile device’s make and model
Your friend’s account name
The expiration date of the Snapstreak
If the hourglass emoji (⏳) indicating the countdown appeared before the streak finished, state yes or no.
Tap Send to submit your request.
Under normal circumstances, Snapchat communicates between 24 and 48 hours, but this can change with the number of requests. If your submission complies with their requirements (e.g., both users were participants in the activity), the likelihood is high that your streak will be restored.
✅ Method 3: Submit a Request via Web Browser
If you do not have the Snapchat app on your mobile device or prefer using a laptop, you can submit a request through Snapchat’s official support website.
Here’s how to do it:
Go to https://support.snapchat.com
On Popular Topics section, hit “Snapstreaks.”
Click “I lost my Snapstreak.”
Scroll down and click the link that says “Let us know.”
Fill out the form with the same details as mentioned above.
Click Send to finish the request.
This is like the in-app submission process, but it can be easier for those who prefer to type on a keyboard or access support on a PC.
💡 Tips for Avoiding Losing Your Snapstreak Again
If you’ve already restored a streak, or if you desire to never lose one ever, here are some useful tips to help you stay on top of snapping:
⏰ 1. Daily Reminders
Set alarms or reminders to ensure that at least one Snap is sent every 24 hours. You can even set it for your friend’s schedule so you both send snaps simultaneously.
👯 2. Talk to Your Friend
Streaks are always managed by two people. Maintain a good dialogue with your streak partner, and plan Snap trades, especially during exams, travel plans, or when someone is going offline for a while.
⌛ 3. Check for Hourglass Emoji
The hourglass emoji (⏳) is an indicator that your streak is on the verge of expiring. If you notice it, then a snap should be sent right away, and your friend should be reminded to do the same.
🌐 4. Use Wi-Fi or Check Connectivity
Bad internet connections will delay Snaps from being sent and delivered on time. Always verify the sent and delivered status, especially inside your 24-hour window.
📦 5. Send Real Snaps (Not Just Text)
Streaks are based off photos and videos sent, not chats, so ensure you’re capturing your snaps instead of texting!
🤔 When Snapchat Won’t Restore a Streak
Here are some situations when Snapchat might ignore your request to restore a streak:
You didn’t send a Snap at all.
You lost several streaks and seem to be making too many requests.
Your request is too vague.
Snapchat sets a cap on how many times users can restore streaks. Support cannot be counted on to restore lost streaks frequently—it’s ideal to keep streaks safe.
✅ Final Thoughts
If you have maintained a streak for weeks, months, or even years, losing it can be extremely frustrating. Luckily, Snapchat offers various in-app options to restore directly or through a ‘Restore’ button, submitting a support request, or via the web.
In the Snapchat app, it is possible to add friends using the snap code and username finder. One should be careful not to mix usernames and snap codes in the aforementioned methods of adding friends because doing so will prevent the user from adding that particular friend. If it is done within a certain number of tries, one loses those attempts.
Make sure you reach out on social media for any extra suggestions. In order to get your inquiries addressed do not forget to head straight up to the support desk.