We’ve all experienced that moment: opening Snapchat in the morning, sending a quick snap to three or four contacts to avoid losing a streak that has lasted for several weeks, and then closing the app. Snapchat flames turn a simple exchange of photos into a daily routine, with a counter that increases and a fire emoji that disappears if you miss a day. Understanding their precise mechanics allows you to avoid silly losses and decide if the game is worth the candle.
Instant Snapflames: the game-changing novelty
Since the end of 2024, Snapchat has introduced Instant Snapflames, a feature that automatically maintains streaks without requiring the sending of daily snaps. You can think of it as a safety net built directly into the app.
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In practical terms, this option alleviates the pressure of having to send a snap every day. For users going on vacation, spending a weekend off the grid, or simply having a busy day, Instant Snapflames prevent a counter of several hundred days from dropping to zero.
To fully understand the flames on Snapchat explained in their entirety, it is essential to distinguish between the classic system (mutual exchange within 24 hours) and this new automated mechanism. Both coexist, but Instant Snapflames are linked to the Snapchat+ subscription, which limits their access to paying users.
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Snapchat Flames: what counts and what doesn’t
The most common confusion revolves around the types of content that fuel the counter. Many believe that a text message in the chat is sufficient. This is not the case.
Valid snaps to maintain a streak
- A photo or video snap sent directly to a friend (not via a group) counts for the flame. This is the only action that fuels the counter
- Both people must send at least one snap each within a 24-hour window. One-way communication is not enough
- The counter resets if one of the two people does not respond before the deadline, regardless of the number of snaps sent by the other
What does not fuel the counter
- Text messages in the chat do not count
- Stories posted on your profile, even viewed by the relevant friend, have no effect on the flame
- Snaps sent in a group do not contribute to anyone’s streak
- Video or audio calls, despite their interactive nature, do not replace sending a snap
This distinction between direct snaps and any other form of communication is the source of most flame losses. You think you’ve exchanged, but the counter only recognizes one specific type of interaction.
Snapchat Hourglass Emoji: the alert signal before loss
The hourglass emoji (⏳) that appears next to a friend’s name is the last warning before the flame expires. When you see it, there are only a few hours left to send a snap and save the streak.
The catch is that Snapchat does not specify exactly how much time is left. Feedback varies on this point: some users report having the hourglass for several hours, while others have seen it appear just before the cutoff. The only reliable response is to send a snap as soon as the hourglass appears, without waiting.
If the flame disappears despite everything, Snapchat offers a restoration procedure through its support. You can contact support directly from the app settings (Help section then “My Snapflames have disappeared”). Restoration is not guaranteed, but it often works for long streaks lost due to a technical bug.
Social pressure of flames and European regulation
Snapchat flames are not just a game mechanic. For some teenage users, they create a daily obligation that is a source of stress. The rising counter functions as a gamification mechanism: the higher the number, the greater the fear of losing it.
The European Union has taken up the issue. With the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in 2025, Snapchat must now demonstrate increased transparency regarding mechanisms that may create dependency among minors. This includes mandatory notifications about the risks associated with this type of feature.
On the ground, a trend is emerging: the average streaks among 13-17 year-olds are reportedly declining according to observations from psychologists specializing in digital usage. The explanation partly lies in the migration of some young people to Instagram Direct streaks, launched in 2025, which offer a more flexible multi-device synchronization.
Keeping your Snapchat flames without spending all day on it
The most effective method remains the simplest: set a fixed time to send your daily snaps. Whether in the morning upon waking or in the evening before sleeping, it doesn’t matter, as long as it’s the same time every day.
For multiple streaks with several friends, a quick photo snap (even a shot of the ceiling) sent individually to each contact is sufficient. The goal is not the quality of the content but the regularity of the exchange. Activating reminder notifications in the app’s privacy settings also helps avoid forgetfulness.
If you want to maintain long flames without daily constraints and have a Snapchat+ subscription, Instant Snapflames represent the most direct solution. For everyone else, discipline remains the only lever. One snap per day, in both directions, before the hourglass appears: the recipe hasn’t changed since the feature was launched.