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What Does the Green Dot on Snapchat Really Indicate—and Should You Be Concerned?
The green dot on Snapchat, visible next to Bitmoji avatars in the Quick Add section, is often misunderstood. Here’s a clear breakdown of what it signifies and how to manage it for improved privacy.
What the Green Dot on Snapchat Means
The green dot does not show that a user is currently online. It indicates that the person has opened Snapchat recently, but not necessarily that they are active at that moment. This differs from most other social platforms, where a green dot typically means “active now.”
How Long the Green Dot Stays Visible
The green dot can remain for up to 24 hours after the last app activity. In some cases, due to background processes, it may persist for as long as 48 hours. The indicator disappears automatically after a period of inactivity.
Steps to Turn Off the Green Dot (Activity Indicator)
Disabling the Activity Indicator hides the green dot from your profile, so others cannot see your recent activity.
You will still see green dots on other profiles unless they have also disabled the feature.
This setting is available to all users, regardless of Snapchat+ subscription status, and works similarly on both Android and iOS devices.
How to Disable the Green Dot
- Tap your profile icon (top left corner).
- Tap the settings gear icon (top right corner).
- Scroll to the Privacy Control section and select “Activity Indicator.”
- Toggle off the Activity Indicator.
Note: Turning off the green dot does not affect your visibility on Snap Map or other Snapchat features. For additional privacy, review other options under Privacy Control.
Key Points for Users
- The green dot is a recent activity indicator, not a real-time status.
- You have control over whether your activity status is visible to others.
- Adjusting your privacy settings can help you manage your digital footprint on Snapchat.
This approach ensures you maintain control over your Snapchat presence and avoid confusion about your online status.