How to Delete Friends on Snapchat: A Comprehensive Guide
Snapchat, the popular social media platform known for its disappearing photos and videos, is a great way to stay connected with friends. However, sometimes you might need to remove someone from your friends list. Whether you’ve had a falling out, no longer interact with them, or simply want to curate your list, deleting friends on Snapchat is a straightforward process. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps on how to unfriend someone on Snapchat, explore alternative methods, and address some frequently asked questions.
Why Delete Friends on Snapchat?
Before we dive into the ‘how,’ let’s consider the ‘why.’ There are several reasons why you might want to remove someone from your Snapchat friends list:
* **Reduced Interaction:** If you no longer communicate with someone on Snapchat, keeping them on your friends list serves little purpose.
* **Privacy Concerns:** You might want to limit who can see your stories and send you snaps, especially if you’ve become less comfortable sharing with a particular person.
* **Unpleasant Content:** If someone is consistently sending you unwanted or inappropriate content, unfriending them is a valid response.
* **Moving On:** Sometimes, unfriending someone is a necessary step in moving on from a past relationship or friendship.
* **Curating Your List:** You may simply want to keep your friends list manageable and only include people you actively interact with.
Methods to Delete Friends on Snapchat
Snapchat offers several ways to remove someone from your friends list. Here’s a detailed look at each method:
Method 1: Deleting Friends from Their Profile
This is the most direct and common method for unfriending someone on Snapchat.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
1. **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app on your iOS or Android device. Make sure you are logged in to your account.
2. **Access Your Profile:** Tap on your Bitmoji or profile icon in the top-left corner of the screen. This will take you to your profile page.
3. **Navigate to ‘My Friends’:** On your profile page, scroll down until you see the ‘Friends’ section. Tap on ‘My Friends.’ This will display a list of all your Snapchat friends.
4. **Find the Friend You Want to Delete:** Scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top to find the person you want to unfriend. Type their username or display name in the search bar to quickly locate them.
5. **Access Their Profile:** Once you’ve found the friend, tap on their name to open their profile. This will display their Snapcode, username, Snapscore (if visible), and mutual friends (if any).
6. **Open the Options Menu:** In the top-right corner of their profile, you’ll see three vertical dots (⋮). Tap on these dots to open the options menu.
7. **Select ‘Manage Friendship’:** From the options menu, tap on ‘Manage Friendship.’ This will open a new set of options related to your interaction with this friend.
8. **Choose ‘Remove Friend’:** In the ‘Manage Friendship’ menu, you’ll see the option ‘Remove Friend.’ Tap on this option. A confirmation pop-up will appear.
9. **Confirm Removal:** The confirmation pop-up will ask, “Are you sure you want to remove [username] as a friend?” Tap ‘Remove’ to confirm your decision. The person will be immediately removed from your friends list.
**Important Considerations:**
* **They Won’t Be Notified:** Snapchat does not notify users when they are removed from someone’s friends list. However, they may realize it if they notice they can no longer see your stories or send you snaps.
* **Privacy Settings:** If the person’s privacy settings are set to ‘Everyone,’ they can still send you snaps even after you’ve removed them as a friend. You’ll need to block them to prevent this (more on blocking later).
* **Mutual Friends:** Removing a friend does not affect your mutual friends. They will still remain friends with both of you.
Method 2: Deleting Friends from Chat
Another way to remove someone is through your chat history with them.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
1. **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app on your device.
2. **Access the Chat Screen:** Swipe right from the camera screen to access the chat screen. This is where you’ll see all your recent conversations.
3. **Find the Chat with the Friend You Want to Delete:** Scroll through the list of chats until you find the conversation with the person you want to unfriend. If you have a lot of chats, you can use the search bar at the top to find their name or username.
4. **Long-Press on the Chat:** Instead of tapping on the chat to open it, long-press on the chat thread. This will bring up a menu of options.
5. **Select ‘Manage Friendship’:** From the menu that appears, tap on ‘Manage Friendship.’ This will open the same ‘Manage Friendship’ menu we saw in Method 1.
6. **Choose ‘Remove Friend’:** In the ‘Manage Friendship’ menu, tap on ‘Remove Friend.’ A confirmation pop-up will appear.
7. **Confirm Removal:** Tap ‘Remove’ to confirm your decision. The person will be removed from your friends list.
**Advantages of This Method:**
* **Quick Access:** This method can be faster if you frequently chat with the person you want to remove.
* **Contextual:** It allows you to remove someone directly from your conversation with them.
Method 3: Blocking a Friend
While blocking is not the same as unfriending, it effectively removes someone from your friends list and prevents them from contacting you. Blocking is a more drastic measure, but it can be necessary in certain situations.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
The steps for blocking a friend are almost identical to the steps for removing a friend from their profile (Method 1).
1. **Open Snapchat:** Launch the Snapchat app on your device.
2. **Access Your Profile:** Tap on your Bitmoji or profile icon in the top-left corner.
3. **Navigate to ‘My Friends’:** On your profile page, scroll down to the ‘Friends’ section and tap on ‘My Friends.’
4. **Find the Friend You Want to Block:** Locate the person you want to block in your friends list.
5. **Access Their Profile:** Tap on their name to open their profile.
6. **Open the Options Menu:** In the top-right corner, tap on the three vertical dots (⋮).
7. **Select ‘Manage Friendship’:** From the options menu, tap on ‘Manage Friendship.’
8. **Choose ‘Block’:** In the ‘Manage Friendship’ menu, tap on ‘Block.’ A confirmation pop-up will appear.
9. **Confirm Blocking:** The confirmation pop-up will ask, “Are you sure you want to block [username]? They won’t be able to find you on Snapchat or contact you.” Tap ‘Block’ to confirm your decision.
**What Happens When You Block Someone?**
* **They Are Removed from Your Friends List:** Blocking someone automatically removes them from your friends list, and you are removed from theirs.
* **They Can’t Contact You:** Blocked users cannot send you snaps, messages, or see your stories (even if your privacy settings are set to ‘Everyone’).
* **They Can’t Find You:** Blocked users cannot find you on Snapchat if they search for your username.
* **They Can’t See Your Snapscore:** Blocked users cannot see your Snapscore.
**When to Use Blocking:**
* **Harassment or Abuse:** If someone is harassing or abusing you on Snapchat, blocking them is the best course of action.
* **Unwanted Contact:** If you want to completely prevent someone from contacting you, blocking is the most effective method.
* **Privacy Concerns:** If you are concerned about someone’s access to your content, blocking will prevent them from seeing your stories and snaps.
Finding Someone You Removed: Adding Them Back
What if you accidentally removed someone or change your mind and want to re-add them as a friend? Here’s how to find and re-add someone you’ve removed:
**1. Search for Their Username:**
* Open Snapchat.
* Tap the search icon (magnifying glass) at the top of the screen.
* Type in the username of the person you want to add.
* If their profile is public or they haven’t blocked you, their name should appear in the search results.
* Tap the ‘Add’ button next to their name.
**2. Scan Their Snapcode:**
* If you have a screenshot or saved image of their Snapcode, you can scan it to add them.
* Open Snapchat.
* Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.
* Tap ‘Add Friends.’
* Tap the ghost icon at the top of the screen (Snapcode scanner).
* Select the image of their Snapcode from your camera roll.
* Snapchat will automatically detect the Snapcode and add the person as a friend.
**3. Add from Quick Add:**
* Snapchat’s ‘Quick Add’ feature suggests potential friends based on mutual friends and location data.
* Open Snapchat.
* Tap your profile icon.
* Tap ‘Add Friends’.
* Scroll through the ‘Quick Add’ list to see if the person you want to add appears.
* Tap the ‘Add’ button next to their name.
**Important Considerations When Re-Adding:**
* **Privacy Settings:** If the person has their privacy settings set to ‘My Friends Only,’ you’ll need to wait for them to accept your friend request before you can see their stories or send them snaps.
* **They May Have Blocked You:** If you can’t find the person by searching for their username or scanning their Snapcode, it’s possible they have blocked you.
Managing Your Snapchat Friends List: Tips and Best Practices
Here are some tips and best practices for managing your Snapchat friends list:
* **Regularly Review Your Friends List:** Take some time every few months to review your friends list and remove people you no longer interact with.
* **Be Mindful of Your Privacy Settings:** Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your stories, send you snaps, and find you on Snapchat.
* **Use Custom Stories:** Create custom stories to share content with specific groups of friends, rather than broadcasting to your entire friends list.
* **Be Respectful:** When unfriending someone, do so respectfully and avoid causing unnecessary drama.
* **Consider Muting Instead of Unfriending:** If you’re not ready to unfriend someone completely, consider muting their stories to avoid seeing their content without removing them from your list.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some solutions to common issues you might encounter when deleting friends on Snapchat:
* **I Can’t Find the ‘Remove Friend’ Option:** Make sure you are accessing the friend’s profile correctly (either through your friends list or their chat). The ‘Remove Friend’ option is located in the ‘Manage Friendship’ menu.
* **I Accidentally Removed the Wrong Person:** Use the methods described above to search for and re-add the person you accidentally removed.
* **The Person Is Still Sending Me Snaps After I Removed Them:** If the person’s privacy settings are set to ‘Everyone,’ they can still send you snaps even after you’ve unfriended them. You’ll need to block them to prevent this.
* **I Can’t Find Someone in My Friends List:** Make sure you have their correct username or display name. If you still can’t find them, it’s possible they have unfriended or blocked you.
Snapchat Updates and Changes
Snapchat is constantly evolving, and the user interface and features may change over time. While the core functionality of deleting friends is likely to remain the same, the exact steps and menu options might vary slightly with future updates. Always refer to the latest version of the Snapchat app and the official Snapchat help documentation for the most up-to-date information.
Conclusion
Deleting friends on Snapchat is a simple process that can help you manage your privacy, curate your friends list, and improve your overall Snapchat experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily remove unwanted contacts and maintain a friends list that reflects your current relationships and preferences. Remember to be mindful of your privacy settings and consider blocking as a more drastic option when necessary. Whether you’re removing someone due to inactivity, privacy concerns, or simply a desire to declutter your social media, Snapchat provides the tools you need to manage your connections effectively.
