If you’ve ever seen a small green dot next to a friend’s name or Bitmoji on Snapchat, you may have asked yourself, “What does that mean?”
Here’s the simple answer:
The green dot means that person is active on Snapchat. They’re using the app or have it open right now.
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What the Green Dot Tells You
The green dot is Snapchat’s way of saying, “Hey, your friend is online!”
This helps you:
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Know who is around to chat
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Get faster replies
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Feel more connected in real time
It’s like Snapchat’s version of the “active now” sign you see on other apps like Instagram or Messenger.
Where the Green Dot Appears
You might see the green dot in a few places on Snapchat:
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On your chat list, next to a friend’s name
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In your search bar, when you look for someone
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On your friend suggestions screen
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In your friends list
If the dot is there, it means your friend is online now or just recently.
Who Can See Your Green Dot?
Not everyone can see it. Snapchat keeps it private.
Here’s how it works:
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Only friends who added you back can see your dot
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You both must have the Activity Indicator turned on
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If either of you turns it off, the dot disappears
So no strangers will ever know when you’re online.
How to Turn Off the Green Dot on Snapchat
Want to be online without letting people know? You can turn the green dot off in a few steps:
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Open Snapchat.
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Tap your Bitmoji in the top-left.
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Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right.
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Scroll to Privacy Controls.
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Tap on Activity Indicator.
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Switch it off.
Now no one can see when you’re online—and you won’t see theirs either.
What the Green Dot Does Not Mean
Let’s clear up a few things. The green dot does not mean:
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Someone is reading your chat
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They’ve seen your snap
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They’re looking at your story
It only shows they are using the app now or just recently.
Why Snapchat Uses the Green Dot
Snapchat added this feature to make chatting easier. When you know your friend is online, it feels more natural to send a message.
You’re more likely to get a reply right away, and the conversation flows better. It’s a small change, but it helps you stay in touch.
FAQs
Q: Can people see my green dot if I don’t want them to?
No. You can turn it off in your settings.
Q: Can I see someone’s green dot if they turned it off?
No. If they turned off their activity, you won’t see the green dot—even if yours is on.
Q: Is the green dot always accurate?
Mostly, yes. But sometimes it stays on for a short time after someone closes the app.
Q: Does this mean they are chatting with me right now?
No. It just means they are active on Snapchat. They might not be chatting at all.
Final Thoughts
So, what does the green dot mean on Snapchat?
It simply shows that a friend is online now. It’s helpful if you want to start a quick chat. But if you like to stay private, it’s easy to turn off.
Now that you know what it means and how it works, you can choose what feels right for you. Keep it on to see who’s active, or turn it off for more privacy—it’s totally up to you.
