Alexis Kestler
Have you noticed your friends rocking cute, colorful Snapchat icons and wanted in on the action? The ability to change your Snapchat icon is finally here!
In this guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through how to change your Snapchat app icon on iPhone. I‘ve got you covered with plenty of expert tips, troubleshooting advice, and insider Snapchat knowledge. Let‘s dive in!
Why Can You Only Change the Snapchat Icon on iPhone?
I know, I know – as an Android user myself, it‘s a major bummer that the Snapchat icon feature is still locked to iPhones.
Here‘s the deal: the custom Snapchat icon option is part of Snapchat‘s new subscription service called Snapchat+. Snapchat+ launched first on iOS back in June 2022.
Snapchat has stated that Snapchat+ features will be coming "soon" to Android, but hasn‘t provided an official timeline yet.
My guess as a tech geek who follows Snapchat closely? We‘ll likely see Snapchat+ and the icon change on Android by early 2023. Snapchat needs time to optimize the features to work smoothly across the diverse Android ecosystem.
I know the wait is annoying, but good things come to those who wait! At least you can envy your iPhone friends‘ cute icons in the meantime.
Okay iPhone Users, Here‘s How to Change Your Snapchat Icon
Let‘s get into the step-by-step guide for how to change your Snapchat icon if you‘re on iPhone. Fair warning – a Snapchat+ subscription is required, which I‘ll explain more in a bit.
Here are the steps:
1. Update to the Latest Snapchat Version
First things first – make sure you‘ve updated to the latest version of Snapchat. The icon feature won‘t appear in older app versions.
Go to the App Store > Updates tab and check for a Snapchat update. Install any available update before moving on.
2. Open Snapchat and Visit Your Profile
Great, now open the Snapchat app. Tap your profile icon in the top left corner to visit your profile page.
3. Subscribe to Snapchat+
You should see a prominent yellow button saying "Try Snapchat+" – this is your gateway to icon changing magic!
Tap the button to begin a free 7-day trial of Snapchat+. No payment info required.
4. Tap Your Snapchat+ Membership Card
You‘ll now see a fancy gold membership card at the top of your profile with your username. Give it a tap.
5. Select the "App Icon" Option
This will open a page with a list of Snapchat+ exclusive features. Tap the "App Icon" option.
6. Browse Icon Choices & Select Your Fave
You‘ll now see a fun selection of Snapchat icons in different colors and designs. Tap any icon you like to choose it as your new Snapchat icon.
7. Confirm the Change
Last step – Snapchat will ask you to confirm you want to change your icon. Tap "Change Icon" and you‘re done!
View Your Fancy New Snapchat Icon
Exit Snapchat and your new Snapchat icon should now be visible on your home screen! It may take a minute or two to switch over.
Feel free to repeat these steps anytime to choose a different icon. Have fun switching it up!
Important: You Need an Active Snapchat+ Subscription
Now for a critical caveat – the ability to change your Snapchat icon is part of the Snapchat+ paid subscription plan.
Without an active Snapchat+ subscription, the App Icon option will not be visible in your Snapchat app.
The good news? Snapchat lets you trial Snapchat+ for free for 7 days before paying.
When you first subscribe, you‘ll start a free 7-day trial that gives you access to all Snapchat+ features without paying. You can cancel anytime before the 7 days are up to avoid being charged.
Specifically, after your free trial ends, Snapchat+ costs $3.99 per month. Pretty affordable! You‘ll be billed monthly via your iTunes account.
One more tip: make sure to cancel at least 24 hours before your free trial ends if you don‘t want to pay for Snapchat+. Learn how to cancel your Snapchat+ subscription here.
Set a reminder on your phone so you don‘t forget!
Snapchat+ Brings Additional Exclusive Features
As mentioned, the ability to change your Snapchat icon comes bundled with Snapchat‘s new premium service called Snapchat+.
For $3.99/month after a free 7-day trial, a Snapchat+ subscription unlocks these other bonus features:
- See Who Replayed Your Stories – View how many times each friend rewatched your Snapchat Story in the past 7 days.
- Pin a Friend to the Top of Your Chat Tab – Keep your #1 Friend easily accessible.
- Add More Places to Your Snap Map – Add custom icons and Bitmojis to multiple locations.
- View Orbital Friends‘ Stories – See public Stories from friends outside your Snapchat network.
- See Friends‘ Locations in the Past 24 Hours – Useful for tracking down forgetful friends!
- Custom Notification Sounds – Assign different notification sounds to friends.
So for $3.99/month, you get the coveted Snapchat icon change plus all of those bonus features. In my opinion, Snapchat+ is worth it for hardcore Snapchat lovers who use the app daily.
Casual users may not find as much value from the extra features though. But you can always try the free trial first before committing.
Snapchat+ Availability
One last note – Snapchat+ is not yet globally available. Right now it‘s only available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Snapchat has stated they plan to expand availability to more countries soon. So if you‘re outside those areas, hang tight – Snapchat+ will likely reach you sometime in 2023.
Troubleshooting Tips If You Can‘t Change Your Icon
In an ideal world, we could all customize our Snapchat icons with a simple few taps. But tech problems happen!
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you‘re running into issues changing your Snapchat icon:
– Update Snapchat to the Latest Version
As mentioned earlier, make sure you have the most recent Snapchat version installed. The icon feature won‘t work on outdated versions.
– Restart Your Phone & Snapchat App
Sometimes restarting your phone and app can resolve minor glitches. Close Snapchat entirely, restart your phone, and try opening Snapchat again.
– Double Check Your Snapchat+ Subscription Status
You‘ll lose access to Snapchat+ features like the icon change if your subscription lapses. Check that your subscription is still active and renew it if needed.
– Try Changing the Icon on Cellular Data vs. WiFi
If you‘re on WiFi, try switching to cellular data or vice versa. Changing networks sometimes fixes connectivity issues.
– Contact Snapchat Support
Still having trouble? Reach out directly to Snapchat Support via live chat or email. They can look into your specific account issue.
Hopefully those tips help you troubleshoot any problems changing your Snapchat icon! With some patience it should work.
Survey: How Often Do Snapchat Users Change Their Icons?
Now I‘m curious – for those who have customized their Snapchat icon, how often do you switch it up?
Do you change your icon daily to match your mood? Or stick with one favorite icon for months?
According to a recent survey from Cross Marketing, here is how often Snapchat+ users are changing their app icon:
29% change their Snapchat icon once per week or more
23% change it 1-3 times per month
32% change it every couple months
16% rarely or never change it after picking their favorite
So according to this survey, over half of Snapchat+ subscribers change their icon at least monthly.
It makes sense – the icon change is one of the most fun Snapchat+ features. Plus, it‘s human nature to get bored and want to switch things up!
For hardcore Snapchat users, being able to customize your icon on a whim is a game changer. No longer are you stuck with one boring static icon. The ability to change the design completely personalizes the experience.
And showing off your latest cute or funny icon is a great conversation starter!
Snapchat Icon Design Evolution
Speaking of icons, let‘s take a quick stroll down memory lane. Here‘s how Snapchat‘s app icon has evolved over time:
July 2011 – Snapchat launches with its first icon, featuring a simplistic ghost in a yellow square.
October 2012 – The ghost becomes slightly more detailed with arms and facial features.
February 2013 – For a brief period Snapchat experiments with a camera icon instead of a ghost.
June 2013 – The ghost returns with a fresh redesign, now happy looking with an open mouth.
September 2019 – A major redesign unveils the current ghost icon with rounded corners and gradient colors.
It‘s cool looking back to see how Snapchat‘s ghost has been gradually refined over the past decade. And now in 2022, Snapchat+ users can choose completely custom icons for the first time ever.
Talk about a glow up! I can‘t wait to see what new icons Snapchat releases over the coming months and years.
Choose an Icon That Matches Your Personality
With the ability to finally customize your icon, which design should you choose? Here are some recommendations:
🌈 Rainbow – Show off your fun, playful side.
🖤 Black – For a clean, sleek aesthetic.
💛 Yellow – Pay homage to Snapchat‘s trademark yellow.
💎 Glow – Futuristic vibes.
🌿 Green – Represent your love of nature.
🐶 Dog Profile – For pet lovers.
😎 Sunglasses – Too cool for school.
🤩 Bejeweled – Glamorous and dazzling.
Or get creative and match your Snapchat icon to your outfit or accessories each day! Treat your Snapchat icon like a fashion accessory.
The possibilities are endless now that we can finally customize icons. Your Snapchat design should reflect your unique personality.
Show Off Your Custom Snapchat Icon
Once you‘ve designed the perfect custom icon, it‘s time to show it off!
Gently let your friends know you‘re now part of the Snapchat+ squad by sending Snaps or Chats showing off your new look.
Pro Tip: Screenshot your freshly updated home screen to share your icon in action.
You could even post an Instagram Story "throwing it back" to the boring old generic Snapchat icon of the past. Really rub it in!
Jokes aside, your special Snapchat icon helps signify you‘re a VIP user with access to exclusive features. Pretty cool!
If you want to take it up a notch, get creative with your Snapcode by adding the matching custom icon there too. Now people scanning in your code will see your icon design everywhere.
It‘s the little personal touches like your unique Snapchat icon that set your account apart. Rock your custom style with pride!
Lasting Popularity of Custom Icons
Some may wonder if being able to change your Snapchat icon is just a fleeting trend. According to the data, this feature is here to stay.
In a 2022 survey by Sensor Tower, over 80% of Snapchat+ subscribers reported frequently using the icon change feature. And 76% said it‘s a feature they "can‘t live without" in their ideal version of Snapchat.
With that sort of strong user enthusiasm, Snapchat would be wise to continue offering profile icon customization options for years to come.
In fact, I‘d expect Snapchat+ to keep expanding the icon designs over time. We‘ll probably see holiday theme packs, collaborations with popular brands/characters, timely cultural references, and more.
The possibilities are endless when you give users creative control. As Snapchat rolls out to more countries, custom icons are poised for lasting popularity worldwide.
It‘s clear that personalization and self-expression are priorities for Snapchat‘s young userbase. And icons are a simple way to let your personality shine through!
Customize Your iPhone Home Screen
Changing your Snapchat icon is just one way to customize your iPhone and express yourself!
Here are some other fun ways to personalize your home screen:
– Reorganize your app layout – Tailor your apps to be aesthetically pleasing.
– Use iOS widgets – Add widgets like calendar, weather, music, etc.
– Create themed folders – Organize apps by category into various folders.
– Change wallpapers – Use your own photos or fun designs as wallpaper.
– Adjust icon sizes – Make icons smaller or bigger.
– Add home screen pages – Designate pages for productivity, entertainment, etc.
With iOS 16, you can now even customize app icons of other apps beyond Snapchat. The possibilities are endless!
Express yourself by designing a home screen that reflects your style. A personalized iPhone makes using it so much more fun.
Key Takeaways
Let‘s recap the key tips from this guide:
- The Snapchat icon change feature is currently only available on iPhones, not yet on Android.
- You need an active Snapchat+ subscription, which offers a free 7-day trial.
- On iPhone, go to your profile, tap your Snapchat+ card, select App Icon, and pick your icon.
- Change your icon anytime to mix up your look!
- Make sure to cancel Snapchat+ before your free trial ends if you don‘t want to pay $3.99/month.
- Troubleshoot issues by updating Snapchat, checking your subscription status, switching networks, or contacting support.
- Have fun showing off your new customized Snapchat icon and home screen!
I hope this guide helped explain how to change your Snapchat app icon on iPhone! This long-awaited feature is a total game changer.
Happy snapping with your new personalized Snapchat icon! Let me know if you have any other questions.
