Fine-tuning the equalizer on AirPods is handled through your device’s accessibility or music settings. But if you’re here to learn how to change emojis on Snapchat, you’re in the right spot. Snapchat uses emojis next to friends’ names to show your relationship status, and you can customize them. This guide walks you through every step, from swapping friend emojis to changing your Bitmoji’s look.
Snapchat’s emoji system can be confusing at first. The app automatically assigns emojis like a yellow heart or a grimacing face based on how often you snap someone. But you are not stuck with the defaults. You can change them to something that makes more sense to you. Let’s get started.
Understanding Snapchat Emojis
Before you dive into changes, it helps to know what each emoji means. Snapchat uses these symbols to show your friendship level. For example, a red heart means you have been each other’s #1 best friend for two weeks straight. A smiley face means you are close but not top-tier.
These emojis appear next to a friend’s name in your chat list. They update automatically based on your snapping habits. But if you want to assign your own emojis to specific friends, you can do that too. The process is simple once you know where to look.
Default Friend Emojis Explained
Here is a quick list of the default friend emojis and what they mean:
- 💛 Yellow Heart: You are #1 best friends with each other
- ❤️ Red Heart: You have been #1 best friends for two weeks
- 💕 Pink Hearts: You have been #1 best friends for two months
- 😬 Grimacing Face: Your #1 best friend is their #1 best friend
- 😊 Smile: They are one of your best friends
- 😎 Sunglasses: You share a best friend
- 🔥 Snapstreak: You have snapped each other within 24 hours
- ⏳ Hourglass: Your Snapstreak is about to end
- 🎂 Birthday Cake: It is their birthday
These are the defaults. But you can change them to any emoji you like. The next section shows you exactly how.
How To Change Emojis On Snapchat
Now for the main event. Follow these steps to customize your friend emojis. The process is the same on iPhone and Android. Make sure your app is updated to the latest version.
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top-left corner
- Tap the gear icon in the top-right to open Settings
- Scroll down to the “Additional Services” section
- Tap “Manage” next to “Friend Emojis”
- You will see a list of all the default emojis and their meanings
- Tap any emoji to open the emoji picker
- Select a new emoji from the grid
- Tap “Save” in the top-right corner
That is it. You have now changed the emoji for that specific friendship level. Repeat for any other emojis you want to swap. The changes apply immediately to your chat list.
Customizing Emojis For Specific Friends
You can also assign a custom emoji to a specific friend, regardless of your Snapstreak or best friend status. This is great for labeling close friends or family members. Here is how:
- Go to your Chat screen and tap the friend’s name
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner
- Select “Friend Emoji” from the menu
- Choose an emoji from the picker
- Tap “Save”
Now that friend will always show that emoji next to their name. It overrides the default system. You can change it anytime by repeating the steps.
Changing Your Bitmoji
Bitmoji is your personal avatar on Snapchat. It appears in chats, on your profile, and in Snap Map. Changing your Bitmoji is different from changing friend emojis. Here is how to update your Bitmoji’s look or outfit.
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon
- Tap the Bitmoji icon (the cartoon face) next to your name
- Tap “Edit Bitmoji”
- You will be taken to the Bitmoji app or a web editor
- Change your hairstyle, outfit, face shape, or accessories
- Tap “Save” when done
Your Bitmoji updates across Snapchat automatically. Friends will see the new version in chats and on the map. You can also change your Bitmoji’s outfit by tapping “Change Outfit” in the same menu.
Using Bitmoji In Chats
Bitmoji stickers are fun to send in chats. You can use them to react to messages or just for laughs. To send a Bitmoji sticker:
- Open a chat with a friend
- Tap the smiley face icon next to the text bar
- Select the Bitmoji tab (the cartoon face icon)
- Choose a sticker and tap to send
You can also create custom Bitmoji stickers with your own text. The options are endless. Just make sure your Bitmoji is set up properly first.
Troubleshooting Emoji Changes
Sometimes changes don’t save or emojis revert to defaults. This is usually a glitch or a sync issue. Here are common fixes:
- Force close Snapchat and reopen it
- Check for app updates in your app store
- Clear Snapchat’s cache in Settings > Clear Cache
- Log out and log back in
- Restart your phone
If the problem persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling Snapchat. Make sure you remember your login details first. Most emoji issues are fixed with a simple restart.
Why Emojis Are Not Changing
If you followed the steps but emojis stay the same, check these things:
- You might be looking at the wrong friend
- The friend emoji setting might be turned off
- Your app version is too old
- You saved changes incorrectly
Double-check the steps in the “How To Change Emojis On Snapchat” section above. Make sure you tap “Save” after selecting a new emoji. If it still does not work, contact Snapchat support.
Advanced Emoji Customization
There are a few hidden tricks for emoji customization. For example, you can use custom emojis from your keyboard or from third-party apps. But Snapchat only supports standard emojis from the Unicode set. You cannot upload custom images as friend emojis.
You can also change the emoji that appears when you snap someone. This is separate from friend emojis. To do this:
- Open Settings > Manage > Friend Emojis
- Scroll to “Snapstreak” and “Hourglass”
- Change these to any emoji you prefer
This only affects the emoji shown in your chat list, not the actual snap. The snap itself remains unchanged.
Using Emojis In Snap Names
You can add emojis to your Snapchat display name. This is not the same as friend emojis, but it adds personality. To change your display name:
- Tap your profile icon
- Tap the edit icon (pencil) next to your name
- Delete your current name and type a new one
- Add emojis from your keyboard
- Tap “Save”
Your display name will show with emojis next to it. Friends will see this in their chat list. It is a fun way to express yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are common questions about changing emojis on Snapchat. These cover variations of the main keyword.
Can I change the emojis on Snapchat for free?
Yes, all emoji changes are free. You do not need a subscription or in-app purchase. Just follow the steps in Settings.
Why did my Snapchat emojis change by themselves?
Snapchat updates emojis automatically based on your activity. If your best friend changes, the emoji updates too. You can override this with custom settings.
How do I reset Snapchat emojis to default?
Go to Settings > Manage > Friend Emojis. Tap “Reset to Default” at the bottom. This reverts all emojis to the original set.
Can I use custom emojis from my phone?
Only standard Unicode emojis work. You cannot use custom images or stickers as friend emojis. But you can use Bitmoji stickers in chats.
Do emojis show on both sides?
Friend emojis are personal to you. Your friend sees their own set of emojis based on their relationship with you. You cannot control what they see.
Final Tips For Emoji Management
Changing emojis on Snapchat is a small tweak that makes the app feel more personal. Use custom emojis to highlight your best friends or family. Update your Bitmoji regularly to keep it fresh. And don’t forget to check your Snapstreak emojis so you do not lose a streak.
If you ever get stuck, revisit the steps above. The settings menu is your best friend for all emoji changes. Experiment with different emojis to find what works for you. Most users stick with the defaults, but customizing gives you more control.
Remember that emojis update in real time. If you change a friend emoji, it shows immediately. No need to refresh or restart the app. Just open your chat list and you will see the new emoji.
One last thing: be careful when changing Snapstreak emojis. If you change the hourglass to something else, you might miss the warning that your streak is ending. Keep the hourglass or set a reminder to check your streaks manually.
That covers everything you need to know about how to change emojis on Snapchat. Go ahead and customize your emojis today. It takes less than a minute and makes a big difference in how you see your friends list.