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10 Tech How-To

How to Enable Snapchat Solar System

Guide 10-36314 · Updated · Step by step

Snapchat’s Solar System is a visual feature that shows how close you are to your best friends on the platform. It places each of your top eight friends on a scale from Mercury (closest) to Neptune (farthest), based on your interaction frequency. This guide explains what you need, the exact steps to enable it, and what to do if it doesn’t appear.

What You’ll Need

  • A Snapchat account with at least one friend you interact with regularly.
  • Snapchat app updated to the latest version (iOS or Android).
  • Snapchat+ subscription (the Solar System feature is exclusive to paying subscribers).
  • Both you and your friend must have a public profile or be in each other’s friend list.

Step-by-Step

  1. Open Snapchat on your phone and log in to your account.
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner of the camera screen.
  3. Tap the Snapchat+ banner (or the star icon) at the top of your profile page. If you don’t have Snapchat+, you’ll see a prompt to subscribe. Follow the payment steps to activate it.
  4. Go back to your profile and tap the “Friends” row (the icon with two people) to see your friend list.
  5. Select a friend who is among your top eight best friends (the ones you interact with most). You can identify them by the yellow heart, red heart, or other friend emoji next to their name.
  6. Open the chat with that friend by tapping their name.
  7. Tap the friend’s name at the top of the chat screen to open their profile.
  8. Look for the “Solar System” section on their profile. It appears as a small icon showing a planet (e.g., a red circle for Mercury) with the friend’s name and a label like “Mercury” or “Neptune”.
  9. Tap the planet icon to see the full Solar System view, which shows the order of your top friends from the sun (you) outward.
  10. Check the order: Mercury is your closest friend, Venus is second, Earth third, and so on up to Neptune (eighth). The feature updates automatically based on your recent interactions.

Common Mistakes

  • Not having Snapchat+: The Solar System is a paid feature, so it won’t appear on a free account. Double-check your subscription status in Settings.
  • Looking at the wrong friend: Only your top eight best friends have a planet assigned. If you check a friend outside that range, you won’t see the Solar System.
  • Outdated app version: If you haven’t updated Snapchat in a while, the feature might be missing. Go to your app store and check for updates.
  • Confusing friend emojis with the Solar System: The heart emojis (like ❤️ or 💛) are separate from the Solar System. The planet icon is a distinct graphic, often a small circle with a ring or color.
  • Expecting to see the Solar System on your own profile: The feature only appears on a friend’s profile, not on your own. You see your own system only when a friend views your profile.

Tips

  • Interact more: To move a friend closer to you (e.g., from Mars to Earth), increase your snaps and chats with them. The ranking updates daily, so consistent interaction matters.
  • Use the “Best Friends” list: Your top eight friends are shown in your friend list with a special emoji. Use that to quickly identify who might have a planet.
  • Check after a day: The Solar System order refreshes every 24 hours, so don’t expect instant changes after a few snaps.
  • Privacy note: The Solar System is visible only to you and the friend you’re viewing. It’s not public, but your friend can see their own position in your system.
  • Turn off Snapchat+ if you don’t want the feature: If you find it distracting, you can cancel your subscription in Settings, but you’ll lose access to the Solar System and other perks.

Troubleshooting

If the Solar System doesn’t show up even after following the steps, try these fixes in order:

  1. Force-close and reopen Snapchat: On iOS, swipe up from the bottom and swipe the app away. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Force Stop. Then reopen.
  2. Log out and log back in: Go to Settings > Log Out. Then log in again with your credentials.
  3. Clear the app cache: In Snapchat, go to Settings > Clear Cache. This won’t delete your chats or friends.
  4. Reinstall the app: Uninstall Snapchat, then download it again from the app store. Make sure you know your password before doing this.
  5. Verify your Snapchat+ subscription is active: Go to Settings > Snapchat+ and confirm it shows “Active”. If it says “Expired”, renew it.
  6. Check if the friend has blocked you or removed you: If you’re no longer friends, the Solar System won’t appear. Ask them to confirm your friendship.
  7. Contact Snapchat Support: If none of the above works, go to Settings > Support > Contact Us and describe the issue. Include your device model and app version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Solar System feature free?
A: No, it’s exclusive to Snapchat+ subscribers. You need an active subscription to see it.

Q: Can I see the Solar System for any friend?
A: Only for your top eight best friends. If a friend isn’t in that list, no planet appears.

Q: Why did my friend move from Mercury to Mars?
A: The order changes based on your interaction frequency. If you snap or chat more with someone else, that friend may move up, pushing others down.

Q: Can my friend see their position in my Solar System?
A: Yes, when they view your profile, they can see their planet. But they can’t see the entire order of your other friends.

Q: Does the Solar System update in real time?
A: No, it updates once every 24 hours, so changes appear after a day.

Q: What if I don’t have Snapchat+ but want to see the Solar System?
A: You’ll need to subscribe to Snapchat+. There’s no workaround, as it’s a paid perk.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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