Snapchat, with its colorful icons, dynamic interface, and constantly evolving features, can be a little mysterious at times—even for regular users. Among the many icons and indicators you see on the app, one that sparks curiosity is the yellow dot. If you’ve ever opened Snapchat and noticed a small yellow dot next to your Bitmoji or profile icon in the top-left corner, you’ve probably wondered: What does it mean?
Well, you’re not alone—and we’re here to explain everything you need to know about the yellow dot on Snapchat, what it signifies, and how to manage it.
What Is the Yellow Dot on Snapchat?
The yellow dot on Snapchat is a notification indicator. It appears on your Bitmoji or profile icon when there are updates or alerts that you haven’t checked yet. These notifications are typically not related to new Snaps or Chats from friends (those have their own indicators), but rather to profile-specific events.
You can think of the yellow dot as Snapchat’s version of a “Hey, something’s new here!” prompt, directing your attention to your profile page.
What Triggers the Yellow Dot?
The yellow dot can appear for several reasons. Here are the most common ones:
1. New Friend Requests
If someone has added you on Snapchat and is waiting for you to add them back, the yellow dot will show up. When you tap your Bitmoji and go to your profile page, you’ll usually see the “Added Me” section at the top. That’s where new friend requests will appear.
2. Friend Suggestions
Snapchat might recommend people you may know, based on mutual friends, contacts, or activity. These suggestions can trigger the yellow dot as part of Snapchat’s effort to grow your social network.
3. Profile Updates
Sometimes, if there’s a change in your profile—like a new Trophy or Charms update—you’ll get a yellow dot. Trophies are now a legacy feature, but profile-specific achievements (like streaks or best friend updates) might prompt it too.
4. Bitmoji or Snap Map Changes
If there are updates or features related to your Bitmoji, or changes in your Snap Map status (like travel updates or weather features), Snapchat might notify you with the yellow dot.
5. Snapchat News or Feature Announcements
Occasionally, Snapchat uses the yellow dot to alert you about new features, privacy updates, or other general announcements that are worth checking out in your profile section.
Where Exactly Does It Appear?
The yellow dot shows up in the top-left corner of your screen, over your Bitmoji/avatar icon. It’s visible on the camera screen—the first screen you land on when you open the app. The idea is to draw your attention to your profile tab.
When you tap your Bitmoji, you’ll be taken to your profile page. Once you view whatever notification is present—whether it’s friend requests, updates, or suggestions—the yellow dot will usually disappear.
How Do You Get Rid of the Yellow Dot?
Getting rid of the yellow dot is simple:
- Tap your Bitmoji or profile icon to open your profile page.
- Scroll through your profile to check for:
- Pending friend requests (“Added Me” section)
- New Snapchat Charms or feature highlights
- Updates in Snap Map or Bitmoji
- Once you view these notifications, the dot will typically disappear.
If the yellow dot persists after checking everything, try refreshing the app or closing and reopening it. In some cases, it may also help to log out and log back in.
Is the Yellow Dot the Same as the Red or Blue Notifications?
No. Snapchat uses different colors for different types of alerts:
- Red: You’ve received a Snap without audio.
- Purple: You’ve received a Snap with audio.
- Blue: You’ve received a Chat message.
- Grey: Pending or unopened Snaps that may have expired or weren’t delivered.
The yellow dot, on the other hand, is more general and relates to updates within your profile, not direct Snaps or messages.
Can You Disable the Yellow Dot?
As of now, Snapchat doesn’t offer a way to turn off the yellow dot directly. It’s a core part of the app’s notification system. However, if you’re not a fan of too many alerts, you can go to Settings > Notifications in the app and manage what kinds of alerts you receive. While this won’t remove the yellow dot entirely, it can reduce the frequency of some notifications that trigger it.
Final Thoughts
Snapchat thrives on keeping users engaged, and the yellow dot is just one of many tools it uses to grab your attention. While it might be a small feature, it plays a key role in keeping you up to date with what’s happening around your Snapchat profile—from new friends to app updates.
Now that you know what it means, you don’t have to wonder or worry the next time that bright little dot pops up. Just tap in, check what’s new, and you’re good to go!