Snapchat has come a long way since its inception as a simple photo-sharing app that made your messages disappear after a few seconds. Over the years, it has evolved into a multifaceted social media platform, constantly adding features to keep its user base engaged. One of its most recent additions is Snapchat Plus (Snapchat+), a paid subscription service that offers exclusive tools and customization features.
If you’re curious about this new service and want to know how to identify whether someone has subscribed to it, you’re not alone. Many Snapchat users want to know how to tell if someone has Snapchat Plus, either out of curiosity or to explore the benefits of the platform themselves. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the visual cues, feature access, and behavioral patterns that reveal a user’s Snapchat Plus status.
What Is Snapchat Plus and Why Does It Matter?
Snapchat Plus is a premium subscription tier introduced by Snap Inc. to offer users access to exclusive features, experimental tools, and early access to future releases. For a small monthly fee (around $3.99 at launch), users can unlock a suite of features aimed at enhancing their overall Snapchat experience. These include features like pinning a BFF, seeing who rewatched your story, customizing the app icon, and more.
Understanding what Snapchat Plus offers helps explain why someone might want to pay for it—and why you might be interested in knowing who has it. Whether it’s to stay up to date with the latest features, learn how your friends engage with your content, or simply out of curiosity, knowing if someone has Snapchat Plus can give you deeper insights into their Snapchat behavior.
Look for the Snapchat Plus Badge
The most visible and official marker of a Snapchat Plus user is the Snapchat+ badge. This badge appears as a small white star inside a black circle, typically displayed next to the user’s name. However, Snapchat allows users to toggle this badge on or off, so while the presence of the badge confirms someone is a subscriber, the absence of it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not.
To spot this:
- Go to a user’s profile
- Look next to their display name
- If you see the distinctive star badge, that’s a confirmation they have Snapchat Plus
However, keep in mind: many users hide the badge to avoid drawing attention to their subscription status.
Analyze Story Expiry Timelines
Normally, a Snapchat story disappears after 24 hours. But Snapchat Plus gives users the power to customize their story expiration time. They can extend the life of a story from the default 24 hours to up to a full week. So if you notice that someone’s story remains viewable for more than 24 hours, it’s likely a Snapchat Plus feature at play.
This trick is subtle and can be hard to track unless you pay close attention to the timing of story uploads. However, if you’ve seen a story from the same user lasting for several days, that’s a strong clue they have access to Plus-exclusive features.
Look for Post-View Emojis
Snapchat Plus lets users choose a Post-View Emoji—a custom emoji that appears after someone views their snap. It’s a playful personalization tool that isn’t available to free users. If you notice a friend’s snap shows an emoji right after you’ve viewed it, they’re probably using this Snapchat Plus feature.
This is one of the more creative features and is usually visible to the person on the receiving end of the snap. That makes it a great telltale sign if you’re actively engaging with a friend and see the same emoji popping up after multiple snaps.
Check for Unique Chat Wallpapers
Snapchat Plus subscribers can customize the background wallpaper of their chat screens, choosing from a variety of presets or even uploading their own images. If you notice that your chat window with a friend suddenly looks different—more colorful or uniquely themed—they could be using Snapchat Plus.
Here’s how you might notice it:
- Your chat screen looks distinctly different from other chats
- Only one or two friends have this wallpaper, while others don’t
- You haven’t changed anything on your end
This visual customization is exclusive to Plus users and is a subtle way to detect their subscription status.
Inspect Their Bitmoji Appearance
Snapchat Plus gives users access to exclusive Bitmoji backgrounds, including animated and AI-generated designs. These often feature dynamic environments, seasonal themes, or creative patterns that go beyond the basic Bitmoji options.
To spot a Snapchat Plus Bitmoji:
- Tap on the user’s profile
- Observe the Bitmoji’s background
- If it has an elaborate or animated look that you haven’t seen before, it’s likely a Plus-only feature
This feature stands out if you’re someone who frequently updates your Bitmoji and knows the limits of the free customization options.
Look for Decorative Elements on the Snap Map
Another distinct Snapchat Plus feature is the ability to add decorations to your Bitmoji on the Snap Map, such as pets, cars, or specific outfits. While free users have basic Bitmoji icons on the Snap Map, Plus users can make their location marker more interactive and expressive.
Examples include:
- A dog or cat walking alongside their Bitmoji
- A flashy car beside them
- Accessories or effects not available in the free version
If you’re using Snap Map and notice someone has these enhanced visuals, that’s a major clue they’re a Snapchat Plus subscriber.
Notice Replay and Interaction Patterns
Snapchat Plus allows for double replays of snaps—this means a user can replay a snap twice instead of once. If you’re notified that someone has replayed your snap more than once, it’s likely that person is a Plus subscriber.
Although this isn’t as visible as some other features, it does show up as a notification on your end. These little details, while minor, can confirm that someone is getting extra functionality from the app, suggesting Snapchat Plus usage.
Observe Their Friend Solar System
One of Snapchat Plus’s more novel features is the Friend Solar System, which shows users where they rank among a friend’s closest connections. This is represented with planets: Mercury for the closest friend, Venus for second-closest, and so on.
If someone talks about their ranking in your Friend Solar System—or references that they can see yours—they’re definitely using Snapchat Plus. You won’t be able to see these rankings unless you also subscribe, but hearing someone mention planets or rankings in your chats can be a giveaway.
Custom Snapchat App Icons
While subtle, another Plus-only customization is the ability to change the Snapchat app icon on the user’s home screen. If you’re scrolling through someone’s phone and notice their Snapchat icon is different—maybe it’s purple, retro-styled, or decked in neon—that’s not a trick anyone can do without Snapchat Plus.
Although this is not something most people will notice unless they’re physically near someone’s phone, it’s still a valid, visible signal.
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Final Thoughts: Subtle Yet Telling Signs
Figuring out how to tell if someone has Snapchat Plus comes down to knowing what features are exclusive to subscribers and paying attention to the subtle clues those features leave behind. While some signals—like the Plus badge or unique Bitmoji background—are obvious, others like extended story durations or post-view emojis require a more observant eye.
Here’s a quick recap of the main signs:
- The Snapchat+ badge (optional but official)
- Stories that last longer than 24 hours
- Post-view emojis after viewing a snap
- Custom chat wallpapers
- Unique Bitmoji backgrounds
- Pet or vehicle add-ons on Snap Map
- Snap replays beyond once
- Friend Solar System rankings
- Unique Snapchat app icons
Snapchat Plus is designed to be a more customizable, personal experience. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or planning to upgrade yourself, knowing how to spot Snapchat Plus users gives you a glimpse into the extra layers that Snapchat is building into its social platform.
