Snapchat is a popular communication platform and app that offers self-deleting messages and fun chat options for expressing creativity. The app also has a paid plan called Snapchat+, which lets users access experimental pre-release features and exclusive perks. One of them is the Friend Solar System — a feature that shows a planetary representation of your closest friends.

Although you can access Snapchat on your desktop PC, the Solar System feature is only available on Android phones and iOS. Read on to learn more about Snapchat planets, their ranking, and what they mean. This guide also shows you how to view your ranking in your friend’s Solar System.

Hand holding a smartphone with Snapchat app

What is the Friend Solar System on Snapchat?

Snapchat’s implementation is similar to that of the solar system. It’s your Solar System where you are the Sun, and the surrounding planets denote your best friends on Snapchat. For instance, the first planet is Mercury, which represents your best friend with whom you share the most messages and streaks.

There are eight planets in your Snapchat Solar System. It ranks all planets based on how close you are to your friends. The app assigns Venus to your second-best friend and goes to Neptune, which symbolizes your eighth-best friend. It’s a fun way to check your best friends on the platform.

Snapchat Friend Solar System and planet order explained

The order of planets in your Snapchat Solar System is similar to that of our solar system. Let’s look at every Snapchat planet in ascending order.

  • Mercury: Your closest friend on the platform and the first planet in your Snapchat Solar System. Usually, when you chat and share snaps with someone a lot, Snapchat assigns the Mercury planet with several red hearts in the Solar System.

    An illustration of a Bitmoji sitting on Mercury

  • Venus: Your second-closest friend and the second planet in your Solar System. Your friend’s bitmoji on the planet has multiple pink, yellow, and blue hearts. If you engage with your second-closest friend more frequently, Snapchat may assign the Mercury planet to the person.

    An illustration of a bitmoji sitting on the Venus planet in Snapchat solar system

  • Earth: Your third-best friend on Snapchat. Snapchat shows a natural satellite (the Moon) that makes it recognizable from others.

    An illustration of a Bitmoji sitting on Earth

  • Mars: Your fourth-closest friend. The app shows it as a red planet with several stars and blue and purple heart emojis around it.

    An illustration of a Bitmoji sitting on Mars

  • Jupiter: Your fifth-best friend. Jupiter looks like an orange planet with red tints.

    An illustration of a Bitmoji sitting on Jupiter

  • Saturn: Your sixth-closest friend. Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. It’s a distinguishable planet with a gold ring around it.

    An illustration of a Bitmoji sitting on Saturn

  • Uranus: Your seventh-closest friend. As you move past Mars, Snapchat removes hearts and dials down the number of stars around a planet. It’s a green globe.

    An illustration of a Bitmoji sitting on Uranus

  • Neptune: Your eighth-best friend. You don’t want to be in your friend’s Solar System as Neptune.

    An illustration of a Bitmoji sitting on Neptune

Your Snapchat Solar System is unique to your profile. Your friends and even your BFF can’t see your Solar System.

Hand holding a smartphone with Snapchat app

How to turn on the Solar System feature

The Solar System feature is off by default for first-time subscribers. When it debuted, it was active by default. However, many reported that it added to teens’ anxiety. Snapchat tweaked the feature after receiving criticism, making it optional for Snapchat+ members. When you enable it, it does not reveal the rankings of other friends. No one else can see it.

Here’s how to activate the Solar System option:

  1. Tap your profile icon.
  2. Select Snapchat+.
  3. Turn on the Solar System toggle.

See your friendship profile on a friend’s Solar System

You can’t check anyone’s Solar System and their best friends list. However, Snapchat offers an option to check if you are one of the planets in your friend’s Solar System. Follow the steps below.

  1. Launch Snapchat and open your friend’s profile.
  2. Tap Best Friends or Friends badge and check your position in their Solar System.

For example, if it shows Mars, you are the fourth-best friend of the person on Snapchat. There is also a slight difference between Best Friends and Friends badges.

A Best Friends badge means you are in their Solar System, and the person gets featured in yours. The Friends badge indicates your place in your friend’s Solar System, but your friend isn’t present in your Solar System.

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Snapchat+ keeps getting better

Snapchat assigns planets based on how frequently you contact your friends on the app. Even with this feature, it isn’t an accurate indicator of your closeness with them. The Snapchat Solar System feature is exclusive to Snapchat+ members with an active plan. Make the most of your subscription by exploring everything Snapchat+ offers; you can even use it to exercise creativity with Snapchat’s AI imaging.