Ever get that nagging curiosity about what someone is actually doing on Snapchat? Maybe you noticed a friend hasn't replied to your message, but you have a sneaking suspicion they're still active. Or perhaps you're just curious how your own activity stacks up against a "Snapchat pro." Whatever the reason, the Snapchat score is that mysterious little number everyone looks at but few fully understand.
It's essentially a status symbol. A digital footprint.
If you want to see someone's Snapchat score, it’s usually pretty straightforward, but there are some annoying privacy hurdles that might get in your way. Snapchat isn't exactly an open book when it comes to user data. They like their secrets.
The Basic Way to See Someone's Snapchat Score
If you're already friends with the person, you're in luck. This is the easiest scenario. You don't need any weird third-party apps or "hacks" that probably just want to steal your password anyway.
- Open the App: Tap that yellow ghost icon.
- Find the Person: Swipe right to go to your Chat screen.
- Tap the Bitmoji: Click on their profile icon or Bitmoji next to their name.
- Look for the Ghost: Right under their display name and username, you'll see a number next to a small ghost icon. That's it. That is the Snap Score.
If you tap that number, sometimes it gives you a breakdown. You might see two numbers separated by a vertical line—one for sent Snaps and one for received ones. But mostly, it’s just one big total that keeps climbing.
Why Can’t I See Their Score Anymore?
This is where things get kinda awkward. If you used to be able to see it and now it’s gone, there are usually only a few reasons why. Honestly, none of them are particularly fun to hear.
First, they might have unfriended you. Snapchat's privacy settings are pretty strict. By default, if you aren't mutual friends, you can't see their score. It just disappears. If you search for them and the score is missing, they likely hit "Remove Friend."
Second, they might have blocked you. If you can’t even find their profile or their name has vanished from your chat list, you’ve probably been blocked. In this case, the score is the least of your worries.
Lastly, it could just be a glitch. Snapchat’s servers occasionally take a nap. Sometimes the score doesn't update in real-time. You might check it at noon and again at 2:00 PM and see the exact same number, even if you know they've been snapping. This is common. The app sometimes "batches" updates, so a score might jump by 50 points all at once rather than one by one.
How to see someone's Snapchat score without adding them
I'll be real with you: this is nearly impossible in 2026.
Back in the day, there were workarounds. Now? Not so much. Snapchat has doubled down on privacy. If a profile is set to "Private"—which most are—you simply cannot see that score unless they accept your friend request.
Some people try to use Public Profiles. If someone is a creator or has a public profile enabled, you might see some info, but the Snap Score is rarely one of those things. It’s almost always reserved for "Mutual Friends" only.
Expert Note: Avoid those "Snapchat Score Tracker" websites. They are almost universally scams. They’ll ask for your username or tell you to "verify you're human" by downloading three random games. They don't work. They just want your data.
What actually makes the score go up?
It’s a "secret formula," but we know the basics. It’s not just a 1:1 ratio.
📖 Related: Breadth First Search Algorithm: Why It Is Actually the Logic Behind Your Social Life
- Sending Snaps: You get a point.
- Receiving Snaps: You get a point.
- Posting to Stories: This is a big one. Frequent story posters usually have massive scores.
- Maintaining Streaks: There’s a bonus for consistency.
- Coming Back: Some users swear they get a "welcome back" boost if they haven't used the app in a few days and then send a bunch of Snaps.
Crucially, text chats do not count. You can send 1,000 text messages in the chat window and your score won't move an inch. It has to be a photo or a video.
Tracking Changes with Snapchat+
If you're really dedicated (or maybe a bit obsessed), there's a paid way to do this. Snapchat+ subscribers have access to a feature that shows "Score Trends."
When you have the subscription, you can sometimes see how much a friend's score has increased since you last checked. It puts a little indicator next to the number. It’s a bit "Big Brother," but it’s a legitimate feature built into the app for those willing to pay the monthly fee.
The Reality of Snap Scores in 2026
At the end of the day, a Snap Score is just a number. It doesn't tell you who they are talking to—only that they are active. A high score usually just means they've had the account for a long time or they send a lot of mass-snaps (those "goodnight" or "streaks" photos people send to 50 people at once).
If you’re trying to see if someone is ignoring you, checking the Snap Score can be a double-edged sword. Yes, if it goes up 10 points while you're on "Delivered," they are definitely on the app. But keep in mind that Snapchat also counts things like opening "Official Stories" or interacting with "Discover" content in some versions of their algorithm.
If you can't see the score, don't overthink it. Check your internet connection first. If that’s fine, and you still can’t see it, they’ve likely adjusted their privacy settings or removed you from their list.
Actionable Steps to Take Now
- Check Friendship Status: If you can't see the score, look for the "Add" button on their profile. If it's there, you're no longer friends.
- Update Your App: If scores look "stuck," go to the App Store or Play Store. A cached bug often prevents the UI from refreshing.
- Clear Your Cache: Go to Snapchat Settings > Account Actions > Clear Cache. This often forces the app to pull the latest data from the servers, including updated scores.
- Verify with a Mutual Friend: If you’re truly worried you’ve been blocked or restricted, ask a mutual friend to check the profile. If they can see the score and you can't, you have your answer.