Snapchat Sun: What It Means on Your Best Friends List

Ever spotted a Sun icon while viewing someone’s Snapchat profile and wondered what it means? Is it just another emoji, or does it reveal something deeper about your friendship?
The Snapchat Sun isn’t just a random symbol — it’s part of Snapchat’s Friend Solar System, available to Snapchat+ subscribers, and it marks a special connection between you and a friend.

In this guide, we’ll explain what the Snapchat Sun means, how it works in the Snapchat Solar System, how to get and keep it, and how it compares to other icons like hearts, smile emojis, and planets.

snapchat sun

What Does the Snapchat Sun Mean?

The Snapchat Sun is one of the most important symbols in the app’s best friends list. It shows that you have someone as your #1 best friend, and that person has you as their #1 best friend. Meaning, you two share the highest number of Snaps, thus enjoying a digital NFT of your strongest bond on Snapchat available.

Hence, the sun next to a friend’s name indicates:

  • You send them the highest number of snaps, and they reciprocate the same.
  • Your interactions are mutual and consistent.
  • Snapchat acknowledges your bond as your top friend on the app.

You are at the very centre of someone’s Snapchat universe, and they’re at the centre of yours. Unlike other symbols that tend to shift more frequently, the sun is a mark of certainty.

The Snapchat Solar System Explained

The Snapchat Solar System is a fun, interactive feature exclusive to Snapchat+ subscribers.
It ranks your top 8 best friends as planets — with the Sun representing the mutual #1 spot.

Here’s how the ranking works:

Planet/Icon

Position

Meaning

🌞 Sun

#1 Mutual Best Friend

You’re each other’s top best friend

🪐 Mercury

#1 Best Friend (not mutual)

They’re your top friend, but you’re not theirs

🌎 Earth

#3 in ranking

Very frequent interaction

🔴 Mars

#4 in ranking

Regular snaps, but others interact more

🪙 Jupiter

#5 in ranking

Occasional interaction

💍 Saturn

#6 in ranking

Low engagement compared to others

🌀 Uranus

#7 in ranking

Rare snaps or chats

🧊 Neptune

#8 in ranking

Barely any interaction

Note: Only Snapchat+ users can see the Solar System icons. Regular Snapchat users still have a “Best Friends” list but without planets or the Sun.

Snapchat Sun vs Other Emojis & Icons

While the Sun is part of the Solar System, you’ll also see Snapchat emojis like hearts and smileys on your best friends list.

Icon

Name

Meaning

Who Sees It

🌞 Sun

Mutual #1 Best Friend in Solar System

Available only to Snapchat+

You only

❤️ Red Heart

Mutual #1 Best Friend for 2 weeks

High streak friendship

Both users

💛 Yellow Heart

Mutual #1 Best Friend

Standard best friend badge

Both users

😊 Smile

One of your best friends

Regular snaps but not #1

You only

The key difference:

  • Hearts and smile emojis are available for free and show basic friendship levels.
  • The Sun is premium and visually ties into the planet ranking system.

How to See Who Your Snapchat Sun Is

If you have Snapchat+, here’s how to check if someone is your Sun:

  1. Open Snapchat on your phone.
  2. Go to your friend’s profile by tapping their Bitmoji.
  3. Look for the Best Friends badge.
  4. Tap the badge — if you see the Sun icon, you’re mutual #1 best friends.

Tip: This feature is private — your friends can’t see your Solar System unless they have Snapchat+.

How to Get the Snapchat Sun With Someone

Want to become someone’s Sun?
Here’s what boosts your chances:

  • Send daily snaps (photos/videos) — chats alone don’t count as much.
  • Reply to their stories consistently.
  • Engage with their snaps quickly instead of leaving them unopened.
  • Maintain streaks for long periods.
  • Reduce interaction with other friends to prioritise one person.

How to Keep Your Sun Status

Getting the Sun is one thing — keeping it is another.
To maintain your position:

  • Snap daily without breaks (even if it’s just a quick picture).
  • Keep conversations active — don’t leave them on “opened” for too long.
  • Engage with stories and Bitmoji updates.
  • Avoid long inactivity periods (3+ days can cause a drop).

Common Myths About the Snapchat Sun

Myth: You can have multiple Suns
Truth: You can only have one Sun at a time.

Myth: The Sun means romantic interest
Truth: It’s purely based on interaction, not emotions.

Myth: The Sun rank never changes
Truth: It updates regularly based on your latest activity.

How the Snapchat Sun Fits Into the Friendship System

The friendship ranking system in Snapchat reflects the frequency of your interactions with each contact. In addition to emojis like 😊 or 💛, which may represent a standard level of best friend, the Snapchat Sun is only available to Snapchat+ subscribers as a key feature of the Solar System. The Solar System feature is designed to reveal all the contacts you may have missed while exploring your space.

In this system, every best friend is represented by a planet, and the sun represents your topmost friend; the sun is the highest position a friend can reach in your Snapchat world.

What of Galaxy Mentions and The Moon

Some users want to discuss the Moon Icon, also known as Galaxy Friends. Still, these terms are mostly community-based or have specific interpretations related to the icons on the app. They aren’t professionally explained in the same way as the Snapchat Sun marks your strongest friends.

Like most people, the moon can be used to represent a secondary friend who qualifies as a buddy. Users may casually use the moon to represent secondary best friends, but it’s not a formal icon with a defined meaning. That’s why, when comparing the two, the Snapchat Sun is far more significant and recognised by the app itself.

Can the Snapchat Sun Change?

As you change with your interactions or become more interactive with someone else, the Snapchat Sun emoji might switch to a different friend of yours. This now occurs based on your most recent activity.

Snapchat’s Sun Snap feature appropriately adjusts according to your engagement with loved ones and contacts. Whether you are on a streaming service or simply talk every day, having the Sun feature requires regular texting to maintain the status.

Purpose of the Snapchat Sun Feature

The Snap Sun’s feature helps users recognise meaningful relationships within social media. In a world that focuses on regularly sharing and text messaging, the Snapchat Sun provides information in a snap. If you’re aiming for that sun spot with someone, just keep texting frequently, video calling regularly, and simply staying online with the person. Remember, your activities determine your friends’ solar system.

FAQs About the Snapchat Sun

It means you and another person are each other’s #1 Best Friend in the Snapchat Solar System.

No, the Sun is exclusive to your top mutual friend.

No, you need a Snapchat+ subscription.

Daily, based on your snap activity.

No, but it’s already private unless they have Snapchat+.

Yes, long streaks increase the chance of keeping it.

Yes, replying to and viewing stories helps.

No, it’s only for individual friendships.

Yes, as long as Snapchat+ is available in your region.

No, only genuine interactions count.

Not necessarily — it’s based only on Snapchat activity.

Yes, a few days of higher activity with another person can replace your Sun.