Is the question, “how long does a timer last on Snapchat” of any interest to you? If yes, you’re not alone. Snapchat is one of the reigning social media platforms, packed with diverse features.
The numerous features endear Snapchat to many users, though some may not fancy them. Having multiple features isn’t all that matters. What matters most is having a deep understanding of each of these features.
For instance, the Snapchat streak which stresses out many users from the moment it appears on the screen. The appearance of the hourglass streak is an indication of one thing – your streak is ending.
Understanding how long the timer lasts is the issue. And if you’re relying on Snapchat’s help section for clues, you’re wasting your time.
The good thing is, we have gathered all the information to help unravel the mystery of the timer’s duration. Read for more details.
How Long Does A Timer Last On Snapchat?
The answer to how long the timer on Snapchat lasts is a mystery to many users. A visit to Snapchat’s help page doesn’t help either, as you won’t find any information addressing this query.
The Snapchat timer A.K.A hourglass icon is a crucial icon to Snapchatters. The appearance of this icon indicates that your streak established with a friend is about to end.
Snapchat wants you to keep engaging your friends. That is, you have to send videos and pictures on a daily basis. Failure to do so, then the hourglass icon would appear.
The appearance of the hourglass icon is an indication that your streak with a buddy will end soon. The only way to maintain it is to keep engaging your friend.
There have been many opinions on how long the timer (hourglass icon) lasts on Snapchat. As observed, the icon appears after 20 hours without a chat (when you haven’t sent a picture or video to your friend). But it disappears after 24 hours.
So, if the icon appears after 20 hours of not engaging your friend and continuing the streak, and disappears in 24 hours, it therefore means that it only lasts for 4 hours.
A Handy Tip: Most Snapchatters won’t agree to this. They believe the hourglass icon only lasts for a couple of hours before disappearing. Again, we have Snapchat to blame for this confusion.
However, what we have observed is the answer shared on this page. And that is, the timer lasts for 4 hours.
What Is A Snapstreak In Snapchat?
Understanding how Snapstreaks work is the first step in learning more about the hourglass emoji.
The Snapstreak starts when you exchange a snap with another user three times in a row. There will be a fire emoji next to that username when that happens.
At least once every 24 hours, you will need to exchange snaps to maintain the streak. Make sure you both send snaps to keep the streak going. As a result, users are encouraged to use the app regularly.
There will also be a number next to the fire emoji, which shows how many days you have been streaking. Snaps no longer exchanged for 24 hours will end the streak, and the fire emoji will disappear.
What Does The Hourglass Emoji On Snapchat Mean?
An hourglass (⌛️) icon indicates that the streak you have with a friend is about to end. Therefore, it serves as a reminder to users who are currently on a Snapstreak with a friend that their streak will end soon. This prompts users to take action so that the streak will continue.
Snapstreaks are solely based on how many snapshots a user sends, so there are no textual exchanges involved. A warning will appear next to both your profile and that of anyone with whom you have a streak, alerting you that your streak may break soon if you fail to take action.
Maintaining a Snapstreak on Snapchat
Keeping your streak going requires you to exchange snaps. However, not all interactions on Snapchat are snaps.
Snapshots are messages taken with your camera. Snapstreak counts pictures and videos, but not text messages and voice messages.
A few other interactions don’t count towards the Snapstreak:
- Stories on Snapchat
- Spectacles
- Memories
- Using group chats
Tips To Avoid Hourglass Emoji On Snapchat
We can find out how long the icon of the hourglass appears since we do not know how long the hourglass will last. Essentially, Snapchat requires that you and the person at the other end of the streak exchange at least one snap. A warning hourglass appears at the end of 24 hours.
Following the tips listed below will help you avoid worrying about the Snapchat hourglass time limit:
Use Snap Instead Of Chat
You can keep the Snapchat streak timer at bay by sending a Snap instead of a text message. Your snap streak is kept up, the other person is pushed to take action, and you get your point across.
The next time you need to convey something to a particular friend, just snap it instead of going to the trouble of texting or direct messaging them.
Snap A Good Morning Picture
Another way to avoid Snapchat’s hourglass time limit is to send a Good Morning snap as soon as you wake up. This eliminates the constant fear of running out of time and the day ending before you send a Snapchat snap.
Your morning routine should include sending one snap. Therefore, there is always one exchange of snaps every 24 hours, keeping the Snapchat streak timer out of sight.
Create A Shortcut To Your Snapstreak Friends
A snap is sometimes needed for the streak to continue, but we forget about it before we can actually send it. Thankfully, Snapchat Shortcuts can help. It reminds those of us prone to forgetfulness that we have not acted on it.
You can add it to the home screen of your phone so that it appears every time you unlock it.
What You Should Do If You Lose Your Snapstreak
Snapstreaks often disappear without a trace due to discrepancies, even if you have worked hard to keep them going. This is a rare scenario, but what’s more feasible is for one of you to miss a month-long streak due to prior engagements, such as an exam or an emergency.
Even though both you and your friend sent snaps, your Snapstreak may have disappeared due to an app error. Here’s how you can fix it:
- Navigate to the Snapchat Support page.
- Select the ‘My Snapstreak Disappeared’ option.
- Make sure all the information is filled out.
When you’ve done this, you’ll need to wait for Support to get back to you and help you with your issue. Snapchat will inform you of the rules for keeping your Snap Streak once you receive a message back.
As long as you and the other player are confident in following all guidelines for keeping the streak, you can talk to support to receive your fire trophy back.
Conclusion
You have seen the answer to the question, “how long does a timer last on Snap?” Like we said, the icon appears after 20 hours when you fail to send a video or picture to your friend in 20. But it disappears in 24 hours. So you have 4 hours left from the moment the hourglass icon appears before it disappears.
The streaks sometimes disappear because of system errors or because busy friends aren’t keeping up with their regular Snapchat activities. However, if you are committed to maintaining a streak, you just need to exchange snaps at least once a day.
That’s all there is to know about Snapchat’s streak timer and its features. We hope to have cleared up any questions you had about the hourglass on Snapchat. If you put some effort in for a short period, you can become accustomed to it fairly quickly. Furthermore, the tips will be useful if you keep yourself busy on a daily basis.
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