How Long Does The Hourglass Last On Snapchat?

Snapchat is big on random icons, in fact, some of these icons are so random that it’s difficult to discern why they’re there. But it’s important to know the significance of these icons if you’re a serious Snapchat user. They play a role in conveying something important about your Snapchat behavior, and specifically, your Snapstreak.

The Hourglass icon is one such icon that conveys information regarding your Snapchat usage. So here’s everything you need to know about the Hourglass icon, how long it lasts and why it appears in the first place.

What does the hourglass icon mean on Snapchat?

The hourglass icon is like a countdown timer. Snapchat introduced this icon to make sure that a user is aware that their Snapstreak with a fellow user is about to end and they need to take action to ensure that the streak continues. It’s basically a warning that you’re slipping in your performance and you need to step up your Snapchat game so that the hourglass icon can be replaced by the lit/fire icon again which indicated that you’re on your Snapstreak. Keep in mind that a Snapstreak is defined by the number of snaps you send and not any form of textual conversation.

The icon appears next to both your profile as well as the profile icon of the contact that you’ve been exchanging Snaps with, right before both your Snapstreaks are about to end.

How long does the Hourglass last on Snapchat?

The appearance of the Hourglass icon is definitely a bad thing unless you want a Snapstreak relationship with another user to end. There have been debates regarding how long the icon lasts and consequently, your window of opportunity to continue a Snapstreak as well. Some older Reddit threads claim that the streak lasts for two to three hours but another thread suggested that the Hourglass icon lasts from four to seven hours. The timing of the hourglass icon is a bit elusive and so is the timeline for how long it stays.

The reason that the hourglass icon is whimsical in its timeframe and appearance is likely because no two Snapstreaks are the same. Snapchat may give you an extended window via the hourglass for a Snapstreak that has been going strong for months and a much smaller window via the hourglass for streaks that have barely lasted for a few days. The window of opportunity depends on the length of your Snapstreak.

How to avoid the Hourglass icon on your Snapchat?

Any given Snapstreak is calculated in a 24-hour window. This means that at least one Snap (not chat) must be exchanged between you and another user, from both ends in the 24-hour window so that you can evade the Hourglass icon. If no Snaps are exchanged, then the dreaded hourglass icon will appear at the fag end of the 24-hour window, the lit/fire icon will disappear and your countdown will begin. Here are a few suggestions that will help you avoid the Hourglass icon on your Snapchat.

Snap for Snap’s sake

If maintaining your Snap streak is more important than what kind of Snap you’re sending, then take a blank or blacked-out photo to at least keep the hourglass icon at bay. Make sure to inform the other party that you are doing this so that they are not caught off-guard by the meaningless snap.

Maintain a routine

Even a good morning greeting snap every morning can count greatly towards maintaining your Snapstreak. Ensure that you’re sending out one regular snap during the day at a designated time so that your Snapstreak ends up being on a reliable auto-pilot.

Inform the other party

A Snapstreak depends on a back and forth so even if you’re doing your part, it’s important that the user you’re exchanging snaps with is aware that you’re serious about maintaining your Snapstreak. Make sure that the user is just as committed to the process otherwise, if they fail to send you a snap in time, the streak will be lost for good.

What to do if the Hourglass icon appears despite maintaining a Snapstreak?

There have been a few cases where the hourglass icon appears and eventually, the lit/fire icon will disappear dispute the user maintaining their Snapstreak sincerely. In such a scenario, it’s best to contact Snapchat support and inform them about this problem. The Snapchat support team will fix your issue so that the hourglass icon disappears and the Snapstreak icon appears next to your profile again.

That’s everything there is to know about the Hourglass icon on Snapchat. Do let us know in the comments in case of queries. Take care and stay safe!

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