What Does the Purple Circle Mean on Snapchat?
If you open Snapchat just to check one thing, and there it is again—that purple circle. No message preview. No clear label. You might wonder, “What does the purple circle mean on Snapchat?” Is it a private story or a new notification? The purple circle on Snapchat is simply a visual indicator for new camera-based story content.
This guide explains exactly why it appears, the meaning of a purple ring around a Bitmoji, and how it differs from other colors.
What Is the Purple Circle on Snapchat?
The purple circle is Snapchat’s way of telling you that there’s new camera-based content waiting for you. It’s not a message, not a friend request, and not a notification error.
Snapchat uses color indicators so users can instantly understand what type of activity is happening without reading text. Purple is reserved for snap-based actions, especially stories created using the camera.
Now, below you see where most people get confused:
- Purple circle usually means an unviewed snap story
- Purple ring is just another way users describe the same story outline
- Purple outline refers to the border style, not a different feature
Snapchat doesn’t change the meaning, only the visual style. Competitors often skip this logic, which is why users think each version means something different when it actually doesn’t.
What Does the Purple Circle Mean on Snapchat Stories?
The purple circle on a Snapchat story means your friend has shared a new snap-based story that you haven’t watched yet. It’s only linked to camera content, not chats or messages. Once you view the full story, the purple circle usually disappears automatically.
The Exact Meaning of the Purple Circle on Stories
When you see a purple circle on a story, it means your friend has posted a new snap-based tale that you haven’t watched yet. It’s important to know what it doesn’t mean:
- It’s not related to chat messages
- It has nothing to do with screenshots
- It doesn’t indicate typing or online status
Many users confuse this with chat indicators, especially when comparing it to what the blue circle around a Snapchat story means, but those are used for completely different actions.
When the Purple Circle Appears And When It Disappears
The purple circle shows up the moment a new story goes live and stays visible until you view that story. Once you watch it fully, Snapchat removes the indicator automatically. If everything is working normally:
- New story posted: purple circle appears
- Story viewed: purple circle disappears
Why Some Purple Circles Stay Even After Watching
Sometimes, the purple circle doesn’t go away, and that’s where users start doubting what it means. Below is the reason for this happening:
- App cache issues can stop Snapchat from refreshing the story status
- Story updates add a new snap after you already watched the first one
- Snapchat sync delay causes visual lag, especially on slow networks
Purple Circle vs Other Snapchat Story Colors
Snapchat uses different colors to silently explain what type of activity is happening. Most users miss this logic, which is why colors feel confusing. Once you understand the system, you can read Snapchat screens instantly without guessing.
Purple Circle vs Blue Circle on Snapchat
The purple circle Snapchat icon is tied to camera-based stories, not conversations. When users ask what the blue circle around snapchat story means, the answer is simple: blue is linked to chat activity, while purple signals visual story content. Different colors exist, so you instantly know what type of interaction is waiting without opening it.
Purple Circle vs Grey Circle
A purple circle shows an active, unviewed story that’s still fresh. A grey circle appears when the story has already been watched or has expired, meaning there’s nothing new left to see. This color shift helps users avoid tapping stories they’ve already checked.
Does Color Change Based on Privacy or Friend Status?
Story colors don’t reflect how close you are to someone or whether they’re a best friend. Snapchat uses the same color logic for everyone, regardless of relationship level. If it is for understanding closeness or interaction signals, that is done through other signs such as Snapchat Plus Planets and not through story colors.
What Does the Purple Circle Around a Snapchat Bitmoji Mean?
When there is a purple border around the Bitmoji, this is the equivalent of Snapchat calling attention to ‘recent visual activity.’ It does this without sending notifications. There is nothing pressing about this experience.
Purple Circle in the Stories Tab
When a Bitmoji has a purple circle in the Stories area, it simply means that a friend has shared a new snap story. It’s Snapchat’s visual reminder that something fresh was posted using the camera.
Purple Circle in Quick Add & Friend Suggestions
If you notice this icon in suggestions, it means you’re allowed to view that person’s story even if you’re not close friends yet. This explains what the purple circle means on Snapchat quick add without any hidden signals or friend requests involved.
Can You Tap or Interact with Purple-Circled Bitmojis?
Tapping the Bitmoji opens the story directly. Nothing else happens behind the scenes. It doesn’t notify the person, track interest, or auto-add them. Myths around secret interactions are completely false.
What Does the Purple Circle With a Lock Mean on Snapchat?
The lock icon adds one extra layer of meaning.It explains that this story is not for all audiences, only for a targeted one picked by the story’s creator.
Purple Circle With Lock = Private Story
A purple-colored circle with a lock indicates that the story is private and shared with only a limited number of people. It is still a snap story but viewed only by the people chosen.
Private Story vs Public Story
Public stories are viewable for everyone’s friends or followers. Private stories are viewable for designated individuals. Private stories give more control to the user posting and do not send “view exposure” notifications like public posts.
Who Can See Your Locked Purple Circle Story?
Only users manually selected by the creator can view it. Snapchat doesn’t auto-include friends or besties. Access depends entirely on the list chosen at the time of posting.
How to Create, Edit, or Remove a Private Story
You can create one by selecting “Private Story” while posting. Editing allows for the addition and removal of viewers at any time, with deletions occurring instantly.
What Does the Purple Circle Mean on the “Added Me” Screen?
On this screen, the purple indicator shows that someone who added you has an active snap story. Snapchat places it here to encourage profile interaction, not to signal a message or request urgency. It’s simply a visibility nudge.
Why Snapchat Uses Purple for Stories
Snapchat assigns purple to camera-based actions because stories are built around snaps, not text. This helps users quickly separate visual content from chats and system alerts. It’s a design shortcut, not a hidden meaning.
Common Myths About the Purple Circle on Snapchat
There are many users who believe that purple light is associated with some online activity, visits to profiles, or even real-time presence. That’s incorrect. Snapchat has markers for status, like a green spot on a Snapchat profile, which has absolutely no connection with circles or rings.
Purple Circle Not Showing or Not Disappearing?
- App Cache & Sync Issues: Temporary data glitches can delay story updates. Clearing the cache often refreshes indicators.
- Snapchat Update Problems: Outdated versions may not refresh story status correctly. Updating the app usually fixes this.
- Account-Level Glitches: Sometimes the issue is server-side and resolves on its own after a short wait.
Does the Purple Circle Mean the Same on Android & iPhone?
Android Users
The purple circle in the Android version is mostly found in the Stories area and the Bitmoji region, with the slightly bolder outline. There might also be cases wherein the indicator might require a bit of longer time to reload due to limitations in the background application.
iPhone Users
The purple circle on the iPhone looks cleaner, refreshes faster because of the integrated operating system, and will most likely vanish right after you finish the story. Although the circle appears smoother when it moves, it symbolizes the same concept as the one found on the Android operating system.
FAQs
- Does the purple circle mean someone added me?
No. It just shows a new story is available, not friend requests or adds.
- Can strangers see my purple circle story?
Only if the story is public or in Quick Add. The private stories will stay hidden.
- Is a purple ring always with a story?
“Yes. A purple ring is always a story related to cameras.”
- Can I turn off purple story indicators?
No, you can’t hide them. But you can control who sees your story.
- Does Snapchat notify when I view a purple circle?
No. The creator only sees total views, not who specifically watched.
Conclusion:
The purple circle Snapchat is simply Snapchat’s way of telling you there’s new camera-based story content waiting for you. It doesn’t indicate chats, friend requests, or any kind of hidden activity.
Wherever it may appear, whether around a Bitmoji, in a Quick Add feature, or in the Stories row, the meaning is the same.An understanding of this clarifies some misconceptions and allows you to navigate stories easily with confidence.
