Snapchat’s best friend list can change quickly, and removing someone from the top spot is straightforward. If you’re wondering how to unpin someone on snapchat, you’ve come to the right place. This guide walks you through every step, whether you’re using an iPhone or Android device. Let’s get straight to it.
Snapchat pins your best friends based on who you chat and snap with most. Sometimes you want to change that order. Maybe a friend is no longer your top contact, or you just want to clean up your list. The process is simple, but many users don’t know where to look.
In this article, you’ll learn the exact steps to unpin someone. We’ll cover the app settings, the friend list, and common mistakes. By the end, you’ll manage your Snapchat friends like a pro.
Understanding Snapchat’s Best Friends List
Snapchat’s friend list isn’t random. It’s based on your activity. The app tracks who you send snaps to, who you chat with, and who you view stories from. The people you interact with most appear at the top.
This system is called “Best Friends.” It used to be public, but now it’s private. Only you see your own best friends list. But the pinning mechanic still works the same way.
When you pin someone, they stay at the top of your chat list. This makes them easy to find. But if you want to change that, you need to unpin them. Unpinning doesn’t remove them as a friend. It just moves them down the list.
Why You Might Want To Unpin Someone
There are several reasons to unpin a friend. Maybe you’re no longer close. Perhaps you want to reduce notifications. Or you might just want a cleaner chat list.
Some users find the pinned friend distracting. If you’re trying to focus on other conversations, unpinning helps. It’s also useful if you’ve been chatting with someone a lot but want to stop.
Remember, unpinning is not blocking. The person won’t know you unpinned them. It’s a private change on your end.
How To Unpin Someone On Snapchat
Now let’s get to the main event. Here is the step-by-step process for unpinning a friend. Follow these instructions carefully.
Step 1: Open Snapchat
Launch the Snapchat app on your phone. Make sure you’re logged into your account. The app should show the camera screen by default.
If you’re on the camera screen, swipe right. This opens the Chat screen. You’ll see your list of recent conversations.
Step 2: Find The Pinned Friend
Look at the top of your chat list. The pinned friend will be there, usually with a small pin icon next to their name. This icon looks like a pushpin.
If you don’t see a pin icon, the person might not be pinned. In that case, you don’t need to do anything. But if you see the pin, proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Tap And Hold The Friend’s Name
Press and hold your finger on the friend’s name or chat bubble. Don’t just tap it. Hold for about one second. A menu will pop up.
This menu shows several options. You’ll see “Manage Friendship,” “Remove Friend,” and other choices. Look for the option that says “Unpin from Top.”
Step 4: Select “Unpin From Top”
Tap the “Unpin from Top” option. The friend will immediately move down your chat list. The pin icon will disappear.
That’s it. You’ve successfully unpinned them. The process takes less than ten seconds.
Alternative Method: Using Settings
There’s another way to unpin someone. Go to your Snapchat settings. Tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Then tap the gear icon to open Settings.
Scroll down to “Account Actions.” Look for “Manage Best Friends.” This option shows all your pinned friends. You can unpin them from here too.
But the hold-and-tap method is faster. Most users prefer it.
Common Mistakes When Unpinning
Many people make errors when trying to unpin. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Tapping Instead Of Holding
If you just tap the friend’s name, it opens the chat. That doesn’t unpin them. You must tap and hold to see the menu.
Make sure you press firmly and wait. The menu should appear after about one second.
Mistake 2: Confusing Unpin With Remove
“Remove Friend” is different from “Unpin.” Removing deletes the friend from your list. Unpinning just moves them down. Be careful which option you choose.
If you accidentally remove someone, you’ll need to add them back. That can be awkward.
Mistake 3: Thinking Unpinning Blocks The Person
Unpinning does not block or mute the person. They can still send you snaps and chats. You’ll still see their stories. The only change is their position on your list.
If you want to block someone, you need to use the block feature. That’s a separate action.
What Happens After You Unpin Someone
After unpinning, the friend moves down your chat list. They won’t disappear entirely. They’ll just be lower, based on your recent activity.
If you start chatting with them again, they might move back up. Snapchat’s algorithm updates your best friends list regularly. So unpinning isn’t permanent if you interact frequently.
You can also pin a different friend later. Just tap and hold another friend and select “Pin to Top.” Only one person can be pinned at a time.
Does The Person Know?
No, Snapchat does not notify the person you unpinned. This is a private action. Only you see the change.
Some users worry about hurting feelings. But there’s no need. The other person won’t know unless you tell them.
How To Pin Someone New
If you unpinned someone, you might want to pin someone else. The process is similar.
Go to your Chat screen. Find the friend you want to pin. Tap and hold their name. Select “Pin to Top” from the menu.
The new friend will now appear at the top. The old pinned friend will move down. This is useful for prioritizing certain conversations.
Can You Pin Multiple People?
No, Snapchat only allows one pinned friend at a time. If you pin someone new, the previous pin is automatically removed.
This is a limitation of the app. Some users wish they could pin multiple friends. But for now, it’s just one.
Troubleshooting Unpinning Issues
Sometimes the unpin option doesn’t appear. Here are some fixes.
Check Your App Version
Make sure your Snapchat app is updated. Old versions might have bugs. Go to your app store and check for updates.
After updating, restart the app. Then try again.
Restart Your Phone
A simple restart can fix many issues. Turn your phone off and on. Then open Snapchat and try unpinning.
This clears temporary glitches.
Clear App Cache
Go to Snapchat Settings. Scroll down to “Clear Cache.” Tap it. This removes temporary data.
After clearing cache, try unpinning again. This often solves menu problems.
Reinstall The App
If nothing works, uninstall and reinstall Snapchat. Make sure you know your login details. After reinstalling, log in and try again.
This is a last resort. But it usually fixes persistent issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Unpinning Someone On Snapchat Remove Them As A Friend?
No, unpinning only moves them down your chat list. They remain your friend. You can still chat and snap with them.
How Do I Know If Someone Is Pinned On Snapchat?
A pinned friend shows a small pin icon next to their name. They also appear at the very top of your chat list, above all other conversations.
Can I Unpin Someone Without Them Knowing?
Yes, Snapchat does not send any notification. The person will not know you unpinned them. It’s a private change.
Why Can’t I See The Unpin Option?
This usually happens if the person isn’t pinned. Check for the pin icon. If there’s no icon, they aren’t pinned. Also, make sure your app is updated.
Will Unpinning Affect My Snapstreak?
No, unpinning has no effect on Snapstreaks. Your streak continues as long as you both send snaps within 24 hours. Unpinning only changes list position.
Additional Tips For Managing Your Friend List
Beyond unpinning, there are other ways to organize your Snapchat friends. Here are some useful tips.
Muting Notifications
If you don’t want to unpin but want fewer notifications, mute the person. Tap and hold their name. Select “Chat Settings.” Then choose “Mute Notifications.”
This stops alerts without changing their position.
Removing Friends
If you want to completely remove someone, go to their profile. Tap the three dots. Select “Remove Friend.” This deletes them from your list.
They won’t be notified, but they’ll disappear from your friends.
Blocking Users
For serious issues, use the block feature. Go to their profile. Tap the three dots. Select “Block.” This prevents all contact.
Blocking is more drastic than unpinning. Use it carefully.
Why Snapchat’s Pinning System Works This Way
Snapchat designed the pinning system for convenience. It helps you access your most important contacts quickly. The one-pin limit keeps things simple.
The algorithm updates your best friends list based on recent activity. This means your list changes naturally over time. Pinning overrides this for one person.
Some users find this limiting. But it’s intentional. Snapchat wants you to interact with many friends, not just one.
Privacy Considerations
Your best friends list is now private. In the past, it was visible to others. This change improved privacy. Now only you see your pinned friend.
This makes unpinning less stressful. No one will know your list changed.
Final Thoughts On Unpinning
Learning how to unpin someone on snapchat is easy. Just tap and hold, then select “Unpin from Top.” The process takes seconds.
Remember, unpinning is not permanent. You can pin someone else later. The person won’t know. It’s a simple way to organize your chat list.
If you run into issues, update your app or clear cache. Most problems are easy to fix. Now you can manage your Snapchat friends with confidence.
Go ahead and try it. Your chat list will look cleaner in no time.