Do you see an X next to someone's name on Snapchat and wonder what it means? Many users face this confusion. The X symbol shows a pending friend request that someone hasn't accepted yet, but it may also pop up if a person unfriends you and sends another request.
What Does an X Mean on Snapchat in 2025
The X symbol on Snapchat means different things in 2025. Your connection status with other users determines what this X actually represents. Let me help you understand what this X means so you don't misread someone's actions on the platform.
Friend request notifications
You'll mostly see the X next to someone's name when they have sent you a friend request that you haven't responded to yet. This X replaces the camera icon that you normally see next to your 5-year old friends.
Want to check if this is why you're seeing an X? Just tap their name. Snapchat will ask you right away if you want to accept or decline their friend request. The X turns into the usual camera icon once you accept, showing that you're now friends.
Many users think an X means someone removed them from their friend list – that's not always true. The X usually shows up when two users haven't completed their connection.
Non-friend interactions
The X shows up in other cases too. You might see it when someone's in your phone contacts but you haven't added each other on Snapchat. The X might also appear if you've never shared snaps or messages with someone, even if you're connected in other ways.
Snapchat's "Quick Add" feature uses the X symbol to let you ignore friend suggestions. This helps users tell the difference between their actual friends and potential connections.
The app sometimes displays the X icon because of technical bugs. These problems pop up after software updates, server issues, or when your device's operating system doesn't play nice with the app.
Recent unfriending indicator
The X becomes really important when it tells you someone has removed you as a friend. A circled X appears specifically to show they've cut the connection.
Here's how to check if someone unfriended you: Send them a snap. If it says "Delivered," they're probably still your friend. But if it stays "Pending," they might have unfriended you.
The X might also appear when users deactivate or temporarily delete their Snapchat accounts.
This doesn't always mean they've unfriended you – their profile just isn't available right now.
These different meanings of the X help you better navigate Snapchat's features and understand what other users are doing on the platform.
Common Scenarios When You See the X Symbol
Let's dive into the common places you'll see the X symbol on Snapchat now that we know what it means. This symbol shows up in specific situations that make sense once you understand the pattern.
Pending friend requests
The X symbol usually pops up when someone sends you a friend request that's still waiting. You'll spot a gray X next to their name on your Chat screen instead of the camera icon. This X tells you the person isn't part of your friend circle yet.
Snapchat gives you options like "Okay" or "Report or Block" when you tap a chat with the X symbol. The X disappears and turns into the normal camera icon once you hit "Okay" to add them as a friend.
The X also shows up next to people Snapchat suggests in the "Quick Add" section. You can tap it to remove the suggestion. This helps you control who you connect with on the app.
After someone unfriends you
The gray X often means someone took you off their friend list. This gray mark shows up right after the connection ends.
The X appears next to someone's name on the Chat screen if they unfriend you and later want to be friends again. The same thing happens if someone blocks you (which automatically unfriends you), then unblocks you and sends a new friend request.
You can still see the "Add" option on their profile in these cases. This means they haven't blocked you – they just removed the connection. The camera icon comes back once you accept their friend request.
When viewing public stories
Public Stories work a bit differently with the X symbol. Snapchat lets users share their Stories with friends, followers, or anyone.
The X shows up when you watch a public Story from someone who isn't your friend. Your name lands at the bottom of their viewers list under "Other Snapchatters" if you view their public Story.
Story creators can tell the difference between views from friends and non-friends this way. Your views stay visible to the creator all the same, unless they limit their Story to friends only.
The gray X helps you tell the difference between your 2-year-old connections and new or changed ones, making it easier to find your way around Snapchat's social features.
Does X on Snapchat Mean Blocked or Just Unfriended?
Snapchat users often get confused by the X symbol and think they've been blocked when someone's just unfriended them. The X next to someone's name doesn't always mean they've blocked you – it just shows they're not your friend on the platform anymore.
How to tell the difference
The biggest difference between getting blocked and unfriended comes down to what you can still do with that person's account. You won't see their private stories after they unfriend you, but you can still:
- View their profile
- Search for their username
- Send them friend requests again
- See their public content (if available)
Someone who blocks you makes their profile completely invisible to you. You can't search for their username, send them snaps, or see their stories. The platform won't let you add them as a friend either, no matter how many times you try.
People might vanish from your friends list because they unfriended you, blocked you, or deleted their account. Snapchat doesn't tell you when someone unfriends or blocks you, which makes it hard to figure out what really happened.
Testing if you've been blocked
Here's how to check if someone blocked you instead of just unfriending you:
- Search for their username – Not finding them in search points to a block. Make sure you've spelled it right.
- Check recent conversations – A completely missing chat history usually means you've been blocked.
- Send a test snap – Try sending them a snap. If it shows "Delivered," they haven't blocked you. A "Pending" status might mean they've unfriended or blocked you.
- Try from another account – This test gives you the clearest answer. Finding their profile from a different account but not yours means they've blocked you.
These differences help you understand what that X on Snapchat actually means in your case.
How to Remove the X Next to Someone's Name
Noticed that mysterious X by someone's name on Snapchat? Here's the quickest way to get rid of it. The gray X icon can disappear with a few simple steps based on what made it show up.
Accepting friend requests
Usually, you can remove the X by accepting a pending friend request. Just tap on their profile when you see the X next to someone's name. Snapchat gives you two options: an "Okay" button to accept the friend request, and a "Report or Block" button if you want to avoid connecting. The X disappears right away and becomes the standard camera icon after you tap "Okay."
Sending a new friend request
The X might appear because your connection ended if someone removed you from their friends list. You can tap their name to check if the "Add" option appears. This means they've removed you but haven't blocked you yet. The X disappears once they accept your new request.
Clearing app cache
Technical glitches can make the X stick around even after fixing friendship issues. Clearing your Snapchat's cache often fixes this:
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon
- Select the Settings (gear icon)
- Scroll to "Clear Data" (Android) or "Clear Cache" (iOS)
- Tap "Clear Cache" then confirm with "Clear" or "Continue"
Your Memories, Snaps, and Chats stay safe when you clear the cache.
Updating your Snapchat app
Old app versions might keep showing the X icon. A quick update usually fixes these display issues:
For iOS: Open App Store → Profile → Refresh updates → Find Snapchat → Tap "Update"
For Android: Visit Play Store → Profile icon → "Manage apps & device" → "Updates Available" → Update Snapchat
These four methods should help you get rid of that annoying X icon and get your Snapchat conversations back to normal.
Conclusion
The X symbol on Snapchat provides clear insights into user connections and prevents misunderstandings. Users can determine if it indicates a pending request, recent unfriending, or a technical issue. Note that Snapchat's X symbol doesn't always suggest negative intentions – it simply represents the platform's way to manage connections.
FAQs
Q1. What does the X symbol next to someone's name on Snapchat indicate?
The X symbol typically means that you have a pending friend request from that person or that they have recently unfriended you and sent a new request. It appears instead of the usual camera icon for established friends.
Q2. Can I still interact with someone if I see an X next to their name?
Yes, you can still view their profile, search for their username, and send them friend requests. However, you won't be able to see their private stories or exchange snaps until the friend request is accepted.
Q3. How can I remove the X symbol next to someone's name?
You can remove the X by accepting their friend request, sending a new friend request if they've unfriended you, clearing your app cache, or updating your Snapchat app to the latest version.
Q4. Does seeing an X mean I've been blocked on Snapchat?
Not necessarily. An X usually indicates a pending friend request or recent unfriending, not a block. If you've been blocked, you won't be able to find the person's profile or send them snaps at all.
Q5. Will Snapchat notify me if someone unfriends or blocks me?
No, Snapchat doesn't send notifications when someone unfriends or blocks you. You'll need to look for signs like the X symbol, inability to view their Snap score, or messages remaining in "Pending" status to determine if you've been unfriended or blocked.
